Let’s explore why Daryl Morey should bring James Harden to the Sixers.
If someone offered you a Tesla or a Ferrari, which would you choose? One is novel and innovative. The other is sexy and sets the standard for sports car enthusiasts. Depends on the driver and the need, right?
Philadelphia 76ers fans face a similar dilemma. Recently, it was reported that the 76ers have made Ben Simmons available to trade with the Houston Rockets for James Harden. In Ben Simmons, you have a supreme athlete with tremendous potential, yet he still has more to prove. With James Harden, he has a solid resume, and his offensive skills place him in an unrivaled category.
The debate for this trade is as contentious as any topic in recent memory for Philadelphia 76ers fans. For me, it’s quite simple. The Sixers should choose James Harden over Ben Simmons, and here are three reasons why the trade should happen.
Reason 1
New Lens: New Perspective
Harden will elevate his game with a fresh start. It is hard to imagine how the most prolific offensive player on the planet could elevate his game. Then again, it was also hard to imagine Jimmy Butler, another disgruntled player in a dissatisfactory state, leading his team to an NBA Finals appearance.
The same could be said about Anthony Davis, who also found a new home and ultimately won a ring with LeBron James. The grass was greener for those two players and they enjoyed the view quite nicely on the other side. Harden would be thrilled to enter a better situation like Davis and Butler, and his play would reflect it.
The truth is though that Harden would not need to elevate his production. He could maintain the status quo on offense and still be effective for Philadelphia. Let’s look at his numbers.
As a Houston Rocket, James Harden has averaged 29.6 points and nine 3-point attempts per game at 36.2 percent. He’s also averaged 7.7 assists, almost the same as Ben Simmons (8.0). Harden’s free throw percentage for his career is 85.8 percent. Free throw attempts? Harden led the league with 11.45 per game.
Simmons makes only 56.5 percent from the line, and he averages less than half of Harden’s attempts. We won’t even compare Simmons’ numbers beyond the arc. A fresh start would boost Harden’s morale, and therefore inject these impressive stats into the Sixers’ offense, but what about his attitude and approach to the game?
“A former MVP and unstoppable offensive mammoth like Harden, becoming teammates with the most dominant center in the league should be welcomed by Philly fans.”
Pro-Simmons Sixer fans have brandished red flags the last 72 hours after seeing pictures of Harden in Las Vegas at clubs and the latest images of him looking out of shape in the preseason.
I would argue that wasn’t Dennis Rodman the same player who partied in Vegas and made a WWF appearance during a playoff series but still helped the Bulls win multiple championships? Also, just because a player becomes out of shape in a few weeks during the offseason doesn’t mean he can’t get back in shape in the same amount of time or less.
Put down the red flags and put the situation in perspective. Harden does not need motivation to sculpt his body. He just needs a franchise that will motivate him with an opportunity to win with the right players and coach.
Some fans worry about Harden’s commitment and staying in line with team protocol after reports of a negative culture in Houston. Yet, coming to a new team with a new coach would recalibrate his focus. His window for a championship is closing, and teaming up with Joel Embiid, being led by head coach Doc Rivers, is just what Harden needs to add a championship to his already stellar resume.
A former MVP and unstoppable offensive mammoth like Harden, becoming teammates with the most dominant center in the league should be welcomed by Philly fans. If that does not entice you, then maybe this will.
Open Space
James Harden will open up everyone’s game on the Philadelphia 76ers, especially Joel Embiid. Just think about Harden being a threat from every spot on the floor. He may just break 3-point records in Philadelphia.
When comparing Ben Simmons’ perimeter game to what Harden has proven he can do is like putting Pluto next to the Sun. With Joel Embiid being a constant threat in the post, Harden will be even deadlier with the Sixers.
Some people still question whether Harden and Embiid could work in Philly. Co-site expert, Lucas Johnson mentioned in a recent podcast that Harden did not work well in Houston with another back-to-the-basket post player, Dwight Howard.
The difference is that Howard is not half the offensive post player that Embiid has proven to be. Where Howard was limited to just a few moves down low, Embiid is as crafty and skilled as any big man in the game today.
The “pick your poison” dilemma for Sixers opponents would be perplexing. Allow Embiid to receive a pass from Harden and suffer the consequences down low. Double team Embiid and fall victim to the most lethal scorer since Larry Bird. This does not even factor in any screen-and-roll scenarios.
Imagine the 76ers’ center coming out to the 3-point line and setting a pick for James Harden. Harden dribbles left, Embiid rolls, and the defense is in limbo. Why? Because the Sixers have newly acquired Seth Curry waiting for the chance to deliver a dagger. Why pass though, when Harden is a threat to finish at the rim with authority or pull up himself for a deep ball?
With Ben Simmons, this is the furthest option from reality. It’s more like a dream with layers from the movie Inception, except Leonardo DiCaprio isn’t the daring hero, it’s Danny Devito.
As emphasized earlier, Harden’s ability to draw fouls is astounding. Can you imagine how many free throws he and Embiid would average per game? The Sixers would feast every night at the line, while getting the opposition in foul trouble at a ridiculous rate.
As opposed to Simmons, who avoids contact at the rim and flicks a shot that tries to resemble a jump hook, Harden attacks the basket, knowing he will either finish strong or draw two free throws.
Goodbye Square Peg in Round Hole
Although I want to see Ben Simmons succeed, his defensive value and unique passing ability take a backseat to his glaring perimeter shooting deficiencies. How long do Philadelphia 76ers fans have to wait for Simmons to come to grips with how his unwillingness to shoot jump shots impacts the team? I am afraid that day will never come. If it does, Simmons still won’t be as good of a fit with Joel Embiid as James Harden.
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The reality is that Simmons is an enigma. In contrast, Harden is not. You know exactly the production you will get out of him. Meanwhile, Simmons would still cause fans to pull their hair out every time he forces a drive into the lane, leaves his feet, spins midair, and throws a desperation pass because he hit a wall. All Simmons needs is to insert a pull-up jumper in his game, but we have yet to see a glimpse of such a move.
When will Simmons shoot? When will Embiid stop lingering at the 3-point line to allow Simmons to drive? When will the Sixers stop playing four on five in the half-court set? With this trade, all of the guessing goes away. Ultimately, immediate space is provided, and Embiid’s effectiveness emerges from the depths of Brett Brown’s crumpled bag of dribble-hand-off plays.
Conclusion
By forcing a trade, James Harden would be seen as absconding from Houston, taking with him the hopes and dreams of Rockets fans who invested so much into his place in team lore. However, he would be arriving in a city, even more starved of a championship trophy, that would embrace him as a star next to Joel Embiid. The Philadelphia 76ers and James Harden are the perfect fit together.
For those that scream about the age difference, Harden is 31-years-old. Yet, he is not injury prone. Simmons has missed more games than Harden at the same points of their careers. Will Simmons play longer? More likely, yes.
However, Joel Embiid’s timeline fits better with Harden because Harden has the skill set to complement Embiid right now. This trade is essentially about winning a championship sooner, rather than later.
In the end, Simmons may end up less like a Tesla and more like a Delorean. James Harden is the Ferrari. Sleek, stylish, and the envy of all cars. He is in a class of his own and coveted by all. Does Daryl Morey want to test drive a Tesla or hop back in a Ferrari? Before the trade deadline arrives, we will all find out soon enough. Either way, we are all along for the ride. Buckle up.