In a move that undoubtedly was seen as a way to get under the Boston Celtics’ skin, or at least to ‘stick it to them,’ the Philadelphia 76ers had forward-center Al Horford ring the Liberty Bell for them prior to the season opener’s tip-off.
‘Ringing the bell’ has been part of Philly’s pregame ritual since 2014-15, a season that corresponds with what should have been All-Star center Joel Embiid’s rookie season after being selected with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Horford, who played for the Celtics from the 2016-17 season to 2018-19, signed a four-year, $109 million contract with the Sixers this offseason but was widely expected to re-sign with Boston.
However, despite Horford’s apparent desire to return to the Celtics, the two sides couldn’t come close enough to appeasing the other party in contract negotiations.
