Woj: Harden Opting into $35.6M Player Option and Demanding Trade from Philly; Wants to Play for the Clippers

[dakomish23]

When does PHX trade Beal for Harden

Beal still has his NTC I believe, so he would have to WANT to goto Philly.

Yep Maybe he'll waive it if PHX isn't working out

[ryguy613]

You have no proof of that. Neither do I, but logically speaking Daryl probably said, keep up your performance in the playoffs and you'll get the contract. He didn't, so obviously the sixers aren't going to give a perennial choker a max contract. Daryl and the Sixers aren't insane.

Harden was Harden in the playoffs, so no real surprise there. However, the biggest reason Philly hasn't won isn't Harden it's Embiid; Harden's not supposed to carry Embiid, that's Embiid's job to carry everyone else. He's great until he gets up against a defensively aggressive team that likes to run - Heat 2 season ago, Celtics this past one. Unless Embiid gets his cardio up, teams will just keep running him off the floor in the games that matter.

Philly needs a scapegoat though, so I get it.

What happened was Celtics ran a zone defense to take away the PNR lanes. They forced Phillies shooters to beat them from the corners. Unfortunately when you have a big man like Embiid sitting in the lanes he brings help defenders with him. That takes away the drives from Harden (and Maxey). Maxey was blocked 3 times. Doc also didn’t get the right guys in there after the brickfest started. In games 6 and 7 Philly’s best shooters were on the bench the entire second halves.(Niang and Tucker) Harris and Melton went 2/18 from 3 in those games. That right there killed the spacing and even a player like Embiid can’t overcome a solid defense like the Celtics possess using hero ball tactics. Look at how the Knicks beat the Cavs. They did the same zone collapse defense and held Mitchell to 40% with 15 turnovers the last 3 games. Put him on Philly and it would be the same thing (he would be wASheD). Lol. I think Nurse can run a more dynamic offense than Doc but the current offseason build is head scratching so far. Niang was the best shooter and Doc failed to play him when we desperately needed spacing. McDaniels never got a legit chance to play.

True but Harden basically just kept running the same play every time he touched the ball, passing it to PJ Tucker for the same corner 3 attempt. If the celitics were willing to fully commit to zone, Harden had opportunities to shoot some relatively unguarded long distance shots himself but its pretty obvious that he psyched himself out, which happens to him in almost every single high pressure playoff situation. I dont get any pleasure out of saying that. I'm not a Harden hater, but we have enough evidence to draw from now. When the spotlight is on him and he HAS to perform, he shrinks.

[John Murdoch]

Harden is perfect for the sixers as the ultimate loser. No idea why this guy has so many nut huggers follow him from team to team

Man opted IN to his contract because no one wanted to pay him at least 35 million to NOT play for the sixers. Then decided he only wants to go one place that doesnt have anything to trade for him. Such a loser move that is a perfect match for the sixers. He doesnt even have a reason for wanting out, it is so bizarre. If he thought he was getting paid then why was he leaking stuff about leaving for Houston as early as December? Yea, no one has an answer for that one. You can speculate all day and night about what was or what was not said behind closed doors. The facts are that he was leaking stuff on literally christmas day that he wanted to go to houston and this persisted into the playoffs and beyond.

If he wanted to go the clippers maybe he should have... signed with the clippers. He had every opportunity in the world to do so. This whole situation and similar ones around the league are just so freaking lame. He has his team leaking stuff about the fat suit and how he will be a problem for what...? the third time in four years? Its pathetic.

Most spoiled millionaire.

Not defending James but i mean leading the best leauge in the world in assist is nothing to sneeze at. If im a random player like Daniel House i would def want to play with him because ik my open looks will be there just from his gravity alone. Its just the playoffs and carefactor that are ugly looks for Harden...but reg season he is amazing ngl

[PennSports]

Harden is perfect for the sixers as the ultimate loser. No idea why this guy has so many nut huggers follow him from team to team

Man opted IN to his contract because no one wanted to pay him at least 35 million to NOT play for the sixers. Then decided he only wants to go one place that doesnt have anything to trade for him. Such a loser move that is a perfect match for the sixers. He doesnt even have a reason for wanting out, it is so bizarre. If he thought he was getting paid then why was he leaking stuff about leaving for Houston as early as December? Yea, no one has an answer for that one. You can speculate all day and night about what was or what was not said behind closed doors. The facts are that he was leaking stuff on literally christmas day that he wanted to go to houston and this persisted into the playoffs and beyond.

If he wanted to go the clippers maybe he should have... signed with the clippers. He had every opportunity in the world to do so. This whole situation and similar ones around the league are just so freaking lame. He has his team leaking stuff about the fat suit and how he will be a problem for what...? the third time in four years? Its pathetic.

Most spoiled millionaire.

Not defending James but i mean leading the best leauge in the world in assist is nothing to sneeze at. If im a random player like Daniel House i would def want to play with him because ik my open looks will be there just from his gravity alone. Its just the playoffs and carefactor that are ugly looks for Harden...but reg season he is amazing ngl

i meant fans following him lol. He has a LOT of stans that are just there for Harden and jump from team to team.