76ers made a mistake in betting on Harden
Every time the 76ers are eliminated in an NBA season (of the last five campaigns, they’ve been eliminated in the East semifinals in four), the league’s eyes are looking for the culprit. Now they are focused on James Harden, who came to Philadelphia in a mega-trade for Ben Simmons.
Did the 76ers make a mistake by betting on James Harden?
No. The 76ers were in a lousy situation with a Ben Simmons who refused to play for them anymore. Against such a backdrop, getting out of such an expensive contract (five years and $170 million that was signed in 2019), is a good thing.
And if for a Ben Simmons you get James Harden, the decision is right even if they have not been champions (with Simmons they also did not win an NBA title and last season they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals, just like this campaign).
James Harden is not the James Harden of the Houston Rockets (in this postseason he scored 18.6 PPJ against the 34 PPJ he once averaged with Houston) but he contributes more than a player who prefers to claim mental problems to not support his teammates on the court. (Luis Salazar)
Who is most responsible for the 76ers debacle: Embiid, Harden or Rivers?
Doc Rivers. Let’s cut the bullshit… We pointed the finger last year at Ben Simmons for only taking two shots during the second half of Game 7 against the Hawks in the playoffs. And, this year, did Harden also only attempt two shots in the second half in another 76ers elimination game?
I mean, the top two ball handlers failing at the basics, at being aggressive? So what’s the common factor? The coach. In fact, it was the first time in Harden’s career that he didn’t even go to the free throw line having played 40 minutes in a game.
The first step the 76ers must take, if they want to win with Embiid, is to bet on another coach. Team president Daryl Morey is a fan of basketball sabermetrics. It’s time for him to evaluate that with Rivers, when it comes down to it, the results are more negative than positive.
Ben Simmons will win a title before Embiid.
(But) A lot will have to do with the patience the Brooklyn Nets have for him and the commitment the Australian will show once he reappears on the court. By roster, Simmons has more talent than his former teammate in the Sixers; having Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (plus what can be incorporated in the offseason and free agency) place coach Steve Nash’s team as one of the favorites for the title, and if injuries allow it, it seems that the third time will be the charm for them. Embiid looks like he will have to wait a little longer to write his name on the list of champions. It seemed like the opportunity this season was unbeatable, and last Thursday Miami Heat took it upon themselves to put them in their place and deliver an authoritative blow in the East. The moves made by Sixers management in the offseason will set the tone to see if they can put Philadelphia at the same table of contenders that now occupy the Nets, Bucks, Heat, Warriors, Celtics and Lakers for the next NBA season.
