Brooklyn got bamboozled by James Harden

[76ciology]

Kidding aside, I was flabbergasted by all of the "experts" saying the Nets won this trade. Huh? You obviously have to take in account what they gave up 12 months ago to get Harden. They literally gave up an All Star in Jarrett Allen.

The only thing I actually liked from the Nets perspective was getting Seth Curry in the deal. He's a really good piece.

They could have had a lineup of

C - Allen
PF - Durant
SF - Harris
SG - LeVert
PG - Irving

These GM's need to stop gutting their teams for big names. It's just not working out. Bubble Lakers is an outlier but now we're seeing how bad of an idea that's turned out to be.

So wait, you don't think

Irving
Seth
KD
Simmons
LMA

Is better than

Irving
Levert
Harris
KD
Allen

I think what they have now is better than the team you listed. They still have Harris, Leverts been traded since then and Allen is legit, but you still go after Simmons for Allen if that's what it comes down too

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

[SelfishPlayer]

How Maxey still remained a Sixer in a Harden trade with Brooklyn will become a huge question as time moves forward. Right now you have people valuing the backups and late first round picks too much, once Ben Simmons settles in as the same guy he has been trending as Brooklyn fans will reflect on why the Nets didn't demand Maxey through the trade deadline into the summer.

[jstross]

Maxey is so ahead of the curve it's crazy. If he maintains even close to a 40% 3 shooting with his ability to penetrate he's going to be a game changer. Great draft pick at where the Sixers got him. On top of that his joy for the game and dedication to his craft is 180 degrees from Simmons. Teammates feed off that genuine joy.

How Maxey still remained a Sixer in a Harden trade with Brooklyn will become a huge question as time moves forward. Right now you have people valuing the backups and late first round picks too much, once Ben Simmons settles in as the same guy he has been trending as Brooklyn fans will reflect on why the Nets didn't demand Maxey through the trade deadline into the summer.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Kidding aside, I was flabbergasted by all of the "experts" saying the Nets won this trade. Huh? You obviously have to take in account what they gave up 12 months ago to get Harden. They literally gave up an All Star in Jarrett Allen.

The only thing I actually liked from the Nets perspective was getting Seth Curry in the deal. He's a really good piece.

They could have had a lineup of

C - Allen
PF - Durant
SF - Harris
SG - LeVert
PG - Irving

These GM's need to stop gutting their teams for big names. It's just not working out. Bubble Lakers is an outlier but now we're seeing how bad of an idea that's turned out to be.

So wait, you don't think

Irving
Seth
KD
Simmons
LMA

Is better than

Irving
Levert
Harris
KD
Allen

I think what they have now is better than the team you listed. They still have Harris, Leverts been traded since then and Allen is legit, but you still go after Simmons for Allen if that's what it comes down too

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

[LoneyROY]

So wait, you don't think

Irving
Seth
KD
Simmons
LMA

Is better than

Irving
Levert
Harris
KD
Allen

I think what they have now is better than the team you listed. They still have Harris, Leverts been traded since then and Allen is legit, but you still go after Simmons for Allen if that's what it comes down too

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

I know you're SICK right now seeing James in peak condition.

Hey man, I live in Brooklyn and I like the Nets...but Harden made the best decision of his career. He can completely change the narrative of it with one title run in Philly. He wouldn't have gotten near that recognition in Brooklyn because of KD and the superteam aspect.

[76ciology]

So wait, you don't think

Irving
Seth
KD
Simmons
LMA

Is better than

Irving
Levert
Harris
KD
Allen

I think what they have now is better than the team you listed. They still have Harris, Leverts been traded since then and Allen is legit, but you still go after Simmons for Allen if that's what it comes down too

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

So you admit that the pre-Harden trade was the better team and it’s just that they can’t afford it right?

[jstross]

Simmons has to be on the court to play defense. Brooklyn has no clue as to the depth of Simmons disfunction.

So wait, you don't think

Irving
Seth
KD
Simmons
LMA

Is better than

Irving
Levert
Harris
KD
Allen

I think what they have now is better than the team you listed. They still have Harris, Leverts been traded since then and Allen is legit, but you still go after Simmons for Allen if that's what it comes down too

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

[76ciology]

I wouldn’t say James bamboozled the Nets.

But i’d say James made a bad decision putting Nets on his list and Nets made a good decision trading for Harden but the result of that decision is just bad and they would have been better off not making the trade.

[SelfishPlayer]

So wait, you don't think

Irving
Seth
KD
Simmons
LMA

Is better than

Irving
Levert
Harris
KD
Allen

I think what they have now is better than the team you listed. They still have Harris, Leverts been traded since then and Allen is legit, but you still go after Simmons for Allen if that's what it comes down too

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

Simmons doesn't truly guard 5's well. It's a combination of never had to and don't want to. Remember, Simmons has been an NBA point guard since his first game. Whenever the Sixers would try a Simmons at the 5 lineup out it generally didn't work well. I always suspected it was because Simmons intentionally tanked the lineup but never had proof that his character was such that he could do such a thing. Simmons the "defender" is a Sixers organizational pivot away from requiring Simmons
to develop an offensive game. Carmelo refusing to play PF for so many years and AD refusing to play center for so many years are similar things from the player standpoint, but Simmons is worse because he doesn't have to do much to torpedo a lineup in protest.

[76ersForLife]

Simmons obviously dodging the Sixers road game on the 10th.

He'll be fully healthy after the game.

I would be elated if this were true.

Simmons won't play after the 10th. He wants to miss the whole month.

He hasn't even started practicing yet!

Have you ever heard of a fully healthy, happy player missing a month!

This is why the Sixers couldn't get **** for Simmons before. It was going to be Brodgon or Haliburton.

Then suddenly hes able to be the main piece for a Harden trade.

This is why I said from the start that the Nets got fleeced. Simmons cannot be trusted. Hes basically Kyrie Pt 2.

Could have easily held on to Harden for the season. And had Simmons in the off season. His value would be even worse after he sat out the whole year for Philly.

Simmons will be terrific for you guys. You will be fired up when you see him on the court he brings a ton of positives to the table. He is definitely a game changing player. It was a win win trade for both teams. Nets are being cautious with his return because Simmons had a serious back injury when the league shut down with Covid before the bubble so they are probably letting the inflammation or back strain subside before ramping his workouts back up.

[76ciology]

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

Simmons doesn't truly guard 5's well. It's a combination of never had to and don't want to. Remember, Simmons has been an NBA point guard since his first game. Whenever the Sixers would try a Simmons at the 5 lineup out it generally didn't work well. I always suspected it was because Simmons intentionally tanked the lineup but never had proof that his character was such that he could do such a thing. Simmons the "defender" is a Sixers organizational pivot away from requiring Simmons
to develop an offensive game. Carmelo refusing to play PF for so many years and AD refusing to play center for so many years are similar things from the player standpoint, but Simmons is worse because he doesn't have to do much to torpedo a lineup in protest.

Lols i have to agree with this but i certainly dont have the proof to back it up.

Another reason why Ben likes defending point guards is it allows him to have crossmatches on transition and it leads him to have a PG on him at halfcourt which allows him to be a threat at the paint because Ben is a poor finisher against long defenders with him being too right dominant finisher

But yes he can guard 1-5 just as Tobias can guard 1-5. The question is, how good can you guard 1-5.

For me, he’s elite defending guards. Good defending SFs. Average defending PFs and below average defending 5s.

[djsunyc]

as with both teams, none of what's happening now means anything. their seasons start in mid april.

[bamheat]

I am so effing happy I'm not a nets fan.

[jstross]

Im super excited to be a Sixers fan. If it works it works. It clearly wan't going to work with Simmons.

I am so effing happy I'm not a nets fan.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

I know you're SICK right now seeing James in peak condition.

Hey man, I live in Brooklyn and I like the Nets...but Harden made the best decision of his career. He can completely change the narrative of it with one title run in Philly. He wouldn't have gotten near that recognition in Brooklyn because of KD and the superteam aspect.

I was against the Harden trade the whole time and said it was a stupid move. I don't know why youre poking fun at me about it.

Harden is not in peak condition btw. Hes way better than he was with the Nets. But not close to the guy he was in 2018.

Still hes 100x better than Ben Simmons.

As far as it being the best decision, not sure I agree. Embiid is no KD. Harden will have to be the guy in the final minutes of a playoff series. And we know he fails spectacularly at that.

But hey if he wants to prove he can finally do it then all the power to him. I'm not convinced.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I’d rather have..

Irving
Harris
LeVert
KD
Allen

6th man: Dinwiddie

I dont think they have a better team now. But I think it would be stupid for them not to trade for Harden.

Ben’s value is his PG skills. Take away his PG skills and you’d end up having a multi positional defensive player, transition player who stays at the dunker spot on halfcourt. And I’d take a 16-11 center in Allen over him, specially with a Nets squad who can max our Allen’s talent over Ben’s talent.

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

So you admit that the pre-Harden trade was the better team and it’s just that they can’t afford it right?

The pre-Harden team was hovering around .500 and didn't fit well together at all.

Youre acting like we never saw it.

We did. It was nothing special.

Although I think it could have been better than their record says. I don't think its as good as what the fully healthy current version of the Nets could be.

KD-Simmons-Kyrie will be lethal if it ever happens. Especially with Curry and Harris to provide spacing.

[LoneyROY]

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

I know you're SICK right now seeing James in peak condition.

Hey man, I live in Brooklyn and I like the Nets...but Harden made the best decision of his career. He can completely change the narrative of it with one title run in Philly. He wouldn't have gotten near that recognition in Brooklyn because of KD and the superteam aspect.

I was against the Harden trade the whole time and said it was a stupid move. I don't know why youre poking fun at me about it.

Harden is not in peak condition btw. Hes way better than he was with the Nets. But not close to the guy he was in 2018.

Still hes 100x better than Ben Simmons.

As far as it being the best decision, not sure I agree. Embiid is no KD. Harden will have to be the guy in the final minutes of a playoff series. And we know he fails spectacularly at that.

But hey if he wants to prove he can finally do it then all the power to him. I'm not convinced.

I didn't mean his literal physical peak. 17-18 Harden was in a special tier of players that won't likely be replicated.

But he's in 19-20 form. His first step looks as good as it has since The Bubble.

KD and Kyrie can't mess with Harden at this level and Embiid on the level he's now on. Kyrie's just not that guy.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I know you're SICK right now seeing James in peak condition.

Hey man, I live in Brooklyn and I like the Nets...but Harden made the best decision of his career. He can completely change the narrative of it with one title run in Philly. He wouldn't have gotten near that recognition in Brooklyn because of KD and the superteam aspect.

I was against the Harden trade the whole time and said it was a stupid move. I don't know why youre poking fun at me about it.

Harden is not in peak condition btw. Hes way better than he was with the Nets. But not close to the guy he was in 2018.

Still hes 100x better than Ben Simmons.

As far as it being the best decision, not sure I agree. Embiid is no KD. Harden will have to be the guy in the final minutes of a playoff series. And we know he fails spectacularly at that.

But hey if he wants to prove he can finally do it then all the power to him. I'm not convinced.

I didn't mean his literal physical peak. 17-18 Harden was in a special tiers of players that won't likely be replicated.

But he's in 19-20 form. His first step looks as good as it has since The Bubble.

KD and Kyrie can't mess with Harden at this level and Embiid on the level he's now on. Kyrie's just not that guy.

Yeah I don't agree.

Harden still doesn't have the burst he had last year. Look at him in the Celtics series. Still not back yet.

Relying a ton on his stepbacks so far. Which he wasn't doing for a while.

Harden is still a career choker and Kyrie had one of the most clutch Finals performances ever.

So not sure what "level" youre talking about exactly. We know who he is when it matters most. His resume is terrible in big moments.

And Embiid hasn't been much better. After doing little/nothing vs the Hawks in critical moments.

Could have had KD to save him. Now its all on him.

[76ciology]

How exactly were the Nets supposed to afford Levert, Allen, and Dinwiddie?

That wasn't in the cards.

Not to mention Levert would be a horrible fit in that lineup. He can't shoot, play off ball or play defense. And is constantly injured.

Theres a reason the Cavs have not been better since trading for him. And may be worse.

Curry is far better than Levert especially considering his contract.

Simmons is just a far better play than Allen defensively by being way more versatile. I don't see how hes a better fit with KDKyrie when Simmons can guard 1-5. And brings more on offense in terms of play making.

So you admit that the pre-Harden trade was the better team and it’s just that they can’t afford it right?

The pre-Harden team was hovering around .500 and didn't fit well together at all.

Youre acting like we never saw it.

We did. It was nothing special.

Although I think it could have been better than their record says. I don't think its as good as what the fully healthy current version of the Nets could be.

KD-Simmons-Kyrie will be lethal if it ever happens. Especially with Curry and Harris to provide spacing.

then why not compared talent vs talent in your previous reply and you pointed out “can’t afford it”? Because it sounded like “yes, the pre-harden trade team was better but we can’t afford it”

[76ciology]

Yes, he’s in 19-20 form.

But still, it’s very good for Sixers’ standard when the previous PG can’t shoot and can’t run pick and rolls