2023-24 Running NBA thread

It's like they resurrected Elgin Baylor and put him back in charge.

 

I think you guys are seriously overestimating what the Clippers gave up here. It's a lot of guys who can't play and some picks that will be used years after Embiid forces his way out of Philly.

I mean, I get it. I wouldn't want Harden on my team either. But Daryl Morey the Supergenius ended up folding on this one.

 

Who is the third player on the Sixers who is above average? This team as constructed is probably a first round out, at best a lopsided second round loss.

 

This team actually reminds me of the team Iverson dragged to the Finals back in ‘01.

Embiid as Iverson/Mutombo, and Maxey as Kukoc/McKie, and a bunch of interchangeable defenders and role players.

Except ‘23 Embiid is no ‘01 Iverson.

 

I think they both are substantially the same.

The Sixers are still Embiid, Maxey, and a bunch of guys who would be #5-9 in the rotation on most other contenders.

The Clippers are still a team that would be awesome if they had a time machine but now with the addition of a guy who has proven to come up small in the biggest spots, wants long-term big money, and will simply quit if he's not happy.

The biggest thing the Clippers gave up and that Philly got is the '28 first-round pick.

 

You get a chance to cut out a cancer, you go in for the surgery.

 

I get that. Like I said, I wouldn't want Harden on my team. He's an asshole. Unfortunately he was also their second-best player and number three is waaaay back there in the rear-view mirror. Harden absolutely carried that team to two wins against the Celtics in the second round.

The Sixers traded that guy for a pile of trash and two picks, the first of which they will use three years from now.

If you are the Sixers, your entire focus needs to be on building a winner NOW while Joel Embiid is on the roster and healthy. If I'm Embiid I'm letting the Sixers know a month before the trade deadline that I want the hell out. He already lost years to injury and to Morey dicking around with Ben Simmons. I don't think this is going to go over well.

 

Am I wrong to think "but how long will Harden be happy in LA?"

 

He's on his fourth team in three years. That's the only logical way to think.

 

History would suggest not very long. But he's a free agent at the end of the year, so it behooves him to play nice at least until he can get a new deal.

 

Still feel like he's one of those players who will hang on a year or two after his shelf life expires chasing a ring.

 

You know, though ....

Harden. Westbrook. Leonard. George. Tucker.

If you're going to mortgage your future for a year or two ...