NBA - Main

As a Sixers fan, I was ecstatic when the trade was made. We got a top quality bench (one of the big deficiencies in the last few years & one of the reasons for the playoff exits - basically 4 starters and one or two bench players meant we couldn’t compete deep into the playoffs), and two first round picks for a guy who is a malcontent and clearly in decline. I thought the Clippers were insane for making this trade. It should seem obvious that the reason Harden accepted the player option is that it was WAY more than anyone else was willing to pay him. His numbers will probably get better, but he is no longer even close to MVP (or All Star) Harden, and will likely decline from last year. I especially enjoy that his assist numbers are lower than both Embiid and Maxey, and even his rebounds are lower than Maxey. People have to stop rooting for names - players age and decline. I think about folks who would suggest we should have traded Maxey for Lillard, and how that would only make sense if you invented a Time Machine.

I also always disliked him as a numbers over wins guy. I sort of held my nose when we traded for him because getting anything for Simmons was a win at that point (I still laugh at the “experts” who at the time almost universally thought the Nets won that trade), but never felt great having to root for him on my team. So not only are we better without him, but a lot more fun and easy to root for. Sorry for you Clippers fans who are stuck with this dude - hopefully Balmer has some sense and cuts him loose at the end of the year.