Totally. You would think Harden had the most to prove in this game and he has done less than nothing. Did not see this type of blowout coming at all
Worst case was Harden on the Nets - sp we are better off than that!! Best case was complete implosion next year - ok, it was highly unlikely and looks like it won't happen. But we still got dem picks for a long time. I might be wrong, but I think next year is just a swap with BKN? We get to root against Milwaukee next year with their unprotected pick. Back to BKN in 2 years and see what happens in 2 years time?
Philly didn’t show up on either end last night…Idk wth that was Embiid and Harden sucked Maxey had 4 points and was flying on every pump fake the defense was atrocious…left KD, Kyrie, Seth, and Patty open time after time…they even let a scrub like James Johnson go off for 16 one simple screen was enough to give BK whatever they want this looked like their Boston game where they lost by 50 at home, then went and beat Milwaukee on the road…Philly is bipolar AF
This game was a one-off result that can be easily explained: More Nets' players had chips on their shoulders (and bigger chips) than did Sixers' players. KD and Kyrie were chuffed that Harden bailed on the superteam and kind of threw Kyrie under the bus on his way out. All the newly acquired Nets were irritated at having been traded from a top-tier team that they likely thought was set for a playoff run with its then-current roster. And the entire team wanted to win this one for their embattled new "star," Simmons. On the Sixers' side, Harden got what he wanted in the trade. He was happy and really had nothing to prove to Brooklyn. Millsap? Unimportant in the shoulder-chips equation, as he never saw the court during the game. Simply put, the Nets wanted it more. WAY more. I'd still bet heavily on Philly to take them in a 3- or 5-game series.
Agreed especially since Nets have no one to guard Embiid. He will literally put the 76ers in the bonus within the first few minutes of Q1. If I were a 76ers fan, I still wouldn't be worried because of this one game. Their big 3 didn't show up, but I'd bet in a rematch they would do a lot better.
I'd be excited to do that trade and this offseason or next is the right time to do it. I wonder if we would wait until the draft is over at the off chance that all of our favorite big prospects (Smith/Chet) are taken and Ivey is the best player available. Ivey is an unknown with high upside, but Murray is already a quality player with a lot of upside remaining. I could see the Rockets going a lot of directions if we land 3 and Smith/Chet are taken but I'd have a hard time passing up on Murray because I love his game + given our draft pick situation 24-26.
I consider losing Wood and Tate as inconsequential because they're due for a new contract that Houston shouldn't give them anyways. The bigger losses would be the draft picks but it's just two picks, with one being a mid-range to late range (this year's pick). Murray is an All-Star two way player would be a bargain at that price.
Philly managed to make BK look elite defensively Nets had 15 blocks. 15!! they also had 13 steals Philly was shooting like 26% at halftime while BK was over 60% they made guys like Bruce Brown and James Johnson look like pluses offensively instead of liabilities Philly can’t stop KD or Kyrie, but my goodness…the rest of the guys went off too, and Nets looked like the 08 Celtics or 04 Pistons on defense
I almost came in here after the Nets/Celtics game (despite Nets losing) and said I think the pick is going to start getting worse. Nets are looking motivated right now. Everyone is healthy and they look very balanced.
What's the proper % to give everyone on the Sixers in terms of how much they responsible for yesterday's complete beatdown? % for Harden's embarrassing performance? % for Doc Rivers choking away another (slightly) important game? % for Embiid allowing himself to get bested by Drummond/Claxton?
Harden played like the worst version of himself where he’s more preoccupied with trying to draw fouls…he was 0-10 from 2….crazy bad Embiid was also useless offensively if he wasn’t at the free throw line, and he gave zero effort trying to contest shots at the rim Maxey played like a 2nd round pick rookie…4 points and just 7 shots Philly’s defense looked like they weren’t even trying seemed like they cared more about Ben Simmons getting booed and heckled than actually trying to win the game BK legit looked like an elite defensive team even tho the reality is that they play several liabilities Doc made Steve Nash look like Pop Embiid probably lost his hold on the MVP after last night