Welcome James Harden!

[Ferry Avenue]

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Embiid has to space the floor or Harden has to lob it to Embiid more often so the help defense will be more reluctant to send help defense

I'm for the lob option. The spacing the floor thing by Embiid is overrated in my opinion. Tired of seeing guys within layup range fling a pass out beyond the arc. Shoot the damned layup or throw the lob. Take advantage of being five feet from the basket with the ball.

[Ferry Avenue]

Best game of Harden's stint with the Sixers today in my opinion. 6 points in the final three minutes and clutch play, which is what this team desperately needs from someone other than Embiid.

Jimbo got dat DOG MENTALITY. Just admit it brah!

That was a glimpse of it. Notice that's what it took to defeat an emotionally charged team that was playing with heightened intensity on its own floor, ratcheting up its effort to win a game in the clutch. An adequate response to that has to be generated by some player(s) who likewise increases his intensity and provides an effective counterpunch, which essentially wins the game. That was sorely lacking against the Pistons but present against the Cavs, and note the difference in the outcomes.

Call that "dog" or "mamba mentality" or call it whatever you want -- but that's what wins lots of games in the NBA, especially playoff games where teams are roughly equal in physical talent and this more emotional variable rules the day. The teams with the players who can do this most effectively then distinguish themselves from other teams, progress through the playoffs, and win championships.

Last year's playoffs were a debacle in that regard, as Ben Simmons was providing precisely the opposite of that characteristic, and it functioned as a ball and chain on the entire team, leading to the unlikely demise of a conference #1 seed. We need for Harden especially to provide something at the opposite end of that spectrum this year.

[T_Brandon]

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Telling numbers

[Stanford]

I got duped into thinking this was the right move

[elchengue20]

Short term it was the right move, the issue is when you have to give Harden a 5 year Super Max when he's already clearly on the decline.

[nitocobola]

Short term it was the right move, the issue is when you have to give Harden a 5 year Super Max when he's already clearly on the decline.

a two year deal would be ideal, ain't happening tho.

They shouldn't pay harden more money than what cp3 is earning in phoenix

[Prokorov]

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Embiid has to space the floor or Harden has to lob it to Embiid more often so the help defense will be more reluctant to send help defense

I'm for the lob option. The spacing the floor thing by Embiid is overrated in my opinion. Tired of seeing guys within layup range fling a pass out beyond the arc. Shoot the damned layup or throw the lob. Take advantage of being five feet from the basket with the ball.

I agree with this. Being a stretch big has huge value when you are a role guy.

When you are Joel Embiid, just emulate Shaq. let the reddicks and currys of the world take those shots off your inside in-paint gravity. Hitting threes is awesome efficiency, so is dunking, getting the foul, and putting the opponent in the bonus.

its also hard to ice yourself/go cold dominating inside. you start crossing people over and taking step back threes and you and your team can go in a funk. im not saying dont shoot them. im saying it should be like option 4 after 1. try and dunk 2. try and dunk 3. try and dunk

[Prokorov]

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Telling numbers

"with Harden" is decieving. "with Harden" ended on a 10 game losing streak, taking us from 1st to 8th place with some very suspicious DNPs. He wasnt happy here and he was going to continue to be unhappy with KD out another 2 weeks. with harden gettign DNPs and flying to vegas between games how far does that losing streak go?

As far as "who won" both teams go great value salvaging a not so ideal situation. who won is yet to be written.

Philly goes out in round 2, Harden signs a 4/200 deal and never gets back to MVP form? not great.

Philly wins a title or goes to the finals? looks great

Simmons gets healthy and with less pressure and more focus on D is DPOTY and nets contend? great.
Simmons continued back issues and mental issues? not great

[Stanford]

Man, if Seth Curry is better than James Harden, how much better must Joel Embiid be than Kevin Durant?

[Jailblazers7]

My pessimistic side tells me that in 5 years we’ll look back and realize both teams lost the trade.

I think the Sixers have a better chance at making it work because Ben is a lost cause imo.

[Ferry Avenue]

My pessimistic side tells me that in 5 years we’ll look back and realize both teams lost the trade.

I think the Sixers have a better chance at making it work because Ben is a lost cause imo.

Simmons wasn't going to command much. The only star caliber player he was going to fetch was a disgruntled one who wanted out, and look how much it took on top of Simmons to get even that.

Simmons wasn't going to push anybody over the hump and he's not a player you build around. How much can a player like that really command in trade? He's a peripheral player who needs ideal circumstances to thrive, and even under those conditions he won't be that great.

The whole league took note of the 2021 playoffs and realized that if a player like that isn't willing to develop his game -- and he isn't -- he'll never become great.

[HardenToSixers]

Read on Twitter

Telling numbers

"with Harden" is decieving. "with Harden" ended on a 10 game losing streak, taking us from 1st to 8th place with some very suspicious DNPs. He wasnt happy here and he was going to continue to be unhappy with KD out another 2 weeks. with harden gettign DNPs and flying to vegas between games how far does that losing streak go?

As far as "who won" both teams go great value salvaging a not so ideal situation. who won is yet to be written.

Philly goes out in round 2, Harden signs a 4/200 deal and never gets back to MVP form? not great.

Philly wins a title or goes to the finals? looks great

Simmons gets healthy and with less pressure and more focus on D is DPOTY and nets contend? great.
Simmons continued back issues and mental issues? not great

i think Brooklyn won the trade because we get Nets fans flooding our boards at every opportunity now

[Jailblazers7]

My pessimistic side tells me that in 5 years we’ll look back and realize both teams lost the trade.

I think the Sixers have a better chance at making it work because Ben is a lost cause imo.

Simmons wasn't going to command much. The only star caliber player he was going to fetch was a disgruntled one who wanted out, and look how much it took on top of Simmons to get even that.

Simmons wasn't going to push anybody over the hump and he's not a player you build around. How much can a player like that really command in trade? He's a peripheral player who needs ideal circumstances to thrive, and even under those conditions he won't be that great.

The whole league took note of the 2021 playoffs and realized that if a player like that isn't willing to develop his game -- and he isn't -- he'll never become great.

True, but Daryl could have gone the Haliburton route and maximized cap flexibility and depth. I’m happy with the trade and not going to re-litigate it right now but there’s definitely a non-zero chance that both teams end up worse off down the line.

[Prokorov]

My pessimistic side tells me that in 5 years we’ll look back and realize both teams lost the trade.

I think the Sixers have a better chance at making it work because Ben is a lost cause imo.

Simmons wasn't going to command much. The only star caliber player he was going to fetch was a disgruntled one who wanted out, and look how much it took on top of Simmons to get even that.

Simmons wasn't going to push anybody over the hump and he's not a player you build around. How much can a player like that really command in trade? He's a peripheral player who needs ideal circumstances to thrive, and even under those conditions he won't be that great.

The whole league took note of the 2021 playoffs and realized that if a player like that isn't willing to develop his game -- and he isn't -- he'll never become great.

True, but Daryl could have gone the Haliburton route and maximized cap flexibility and depth. I’m happy with the trade and not going to re-litigate it right now but there’s definitely a non-zero chance that both teams end up worse off down the line.

on a similar line of thought, i was hoping Marks would re-route Simmons for Haliburton

[76ciology]

Simmons wasn't going to command much. The only star caliber player he was going to fetch was a disgruntled one who wanted out, and look how much it took on top of Simmons to get even that.

Simmons wasn't going to push anybody over the hump and he's not a player you build around. How much can a player like that really command in trade? He's a peripheral player who needs ideal circumstances to thrive, and even under those conditions he won't be that great.

The whole league took note of the 2021 playoffs and realized that if a player like that isn't willing to develop his game -- and he isn't -- he'll never become great.

True, but Daryl could have gone the Haliburton route and maximized cap flexibility and depth. I’m happy with the trade and not going to re-litigate it right now but there’s definitely a non-zero chance that both teams end up worse off down the line.

on a similar line of thought, i was hoping Marks would re-route Simmons for Haliburton

Exactly what I thought. I think i said it here or on Nets forum.

If not Hali. Then even just for Sabonis would be better.

No offense but Bruce Brown is better than Ben Simmons.

[76ciology]

Regarding this complain by the complain of the Cavs coach and the freethrows, its because of personnel.

Sometimes its just plainly because of the mismatch in physical size or talent. Sometimes its also optics that is leading the refs into bias. But I get it. The league prefers teams to have a good complete roster because it promotes healthy competition for everyone rather have equality with nonstar teams being as good as star studded teams.

League wants a star studded finals showdown

[Prokorov]

True, but Daryl could have gone the Haliburton route and maximized cap flexibility and depth. I’m happy with the trade and not going to re-litigate it right now but there’s definitely a non-zero chance that both teams end up worse off down the line.

on a similar line of thought, i was hoping Marks would re-route Simmons for Haliburton

Exactly what I thought. I think i said it here or on Nets forum.

If not Hali. Then even just for Sabonis would be better.

No offense but Bruce Brown is better than Ben Simmons.

im not looking to debate what ben is or isnt... but Haliburton is a force and makes just 5 million. would also have given us an even bigger TPE. Maybe some extra picks too.

i also prefered Fox/Barnes or Collins/Hunter if those had any teeth.

[76ciology]

on a similar line of thought, i was hoping Marks would re-route Simmons for Haliburton

Exactly what I thought. I think i said it here or on Nets forum.

If not Hali. Then even just for Sabonis would be better.

No offense but Bruce Brown is better than Ben Simmons.

im not looking to debate what ben is or isnt... but Haliburton is a force and makes just 5 million. would also have given us an even bigger TPE. Maybe some extra picks too.

i also prefered Fox/Barnes or Collins/Hunter if those had any teeth.

Ok no worries.

Yes. Agree with what you said.

[SixthStreet]

If Harden can't cook in ISO for whatever reason (wear and tear, age, hamstring) this season is done, irrespective of Embiid's brilliance. This team isn't constructed so that Harden can be content to rack up assists. The $200 million question is this who Harden is now? The guy he was in his first few games after the trade indicate to me this is a usage/hamstring issue that rest, rehab, conditioning, nutrition and load management can prevent. But Harden really hasn't shown a willingness to sacrifice lifestyle for the game. Conditioning and nutrition include sleep which based on his reported habits doesn't seem to be a priority to him. I also thought the Sixers might be able to keep him in the 32-34 minute range but that's been an abject failure and has exacerbated the issues, IMO.

All that said, the Sixers didn't make the deal to try and flip him for other assets in the offseason. This is a marriage and both parties need to sacrifice and make uncomfortable decisions to make it work. It's not all roses.

[marcush]

Old and slow Harden can still be an effective PG for us. No point dwelling on which deals Morey screwed up ….. the only important thing now is the next contract.

Unfortunately I don’t think Daryl is up to it.