When free agency season began on July 1, the Sixers went hard after Atlanta’s Josh Smith.

They brought him to town, wined and dined him, then spurned him when they realized they were a player in the Elton Brand market.

So, did Smith have anything to prove when the Hawks, who eventually matched an offer from Memphis to retain Smith, played against the Sixers.

“It’s just another game other than it being our home opener,” Smith said. “I understand it’s gonna be a sold-out crowd. I just want to motivate our fans. There was a possibility of me going up there, but it didn’t happen. There’s no love lost. I got to meet some people when I was up there visiting.”