“I am not trading him to Brooklyn”: Stephen A. Smith on Sixers trying to ship Ben Simmons for James Harden
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James Harden, Ben Simmons and Stephen A. Smith
The Ben Simmons saga still continues with just some hours left for the trade deadline but the conversations for shipping Ben across the league are hot and strong as the Philadelphia 76ers have finally agreed on something. After months of trying to find a new home for Ben Simmons, the 76ers rejected a bunch of offers from Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers. But now finally they are interested to trade him to Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden.
Daryl Morey made it clear in many of his past interviews that this may continue till the offseason as they look for an efficient player who can carry the squad for years and not just a season or two. James Harden perfectly fits in the bracket the Sixers made in exchange as many also believe the duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden will make the best pick and roll ever. Nothing can be confirmed or said about the exchange as both ends haven’t said anything about it.
Recently, Kendrick Perkins hinted at the trade as he backed his source with solid reasoning where he mentioned James Harden being interested to play alongside Joel Embiid. Many find this trade good for the Sixers but Stephen A. Smith has a totally different perspective for the trade. As he disagrees with the idea of 76ers exchanging Ben with Brooklyn for Harden.
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Stephen A. Smith on Ben Simmons-James Harden trade
Debating the trade with JJ Redick on First Take Stephen A. Smith quoted: “I am not trading Ben Simmons to Brooklyn, not Brookly. You are talking about Harden mad love to him, mad respect for him done great great things in the NBA over the last decade or so. But brother is older, is bigger, is a much slower likely because of his hamstring injuries. So the Harden you are getting even though he is averaging about 22, 10 and 8. Though he is an extraordinary playmaker and you are right about him in the pick and roll situation. The reality of the situation is this ain’t the James Harden that was in the Houston at least not the one we have seen this far in Brooklyn. Because of injury, age, nutrition the fact that you dropped the ball by not working out cause you wanted out of Houston and that’s come back to bite you. Because the shape that you were once in that’s no longer the case. He still hasn’t recovered fully health-wise.” Smith being brutally honest just said it all out from appreciating James Harden to criticizing him.
Further Stephen A. Smith also discussed Ben Simmons and how it would be a horrible mistake by Sixers to trade him to Brooklyn as he quoted: “When Kyrie shows up he is nothing short to spectacular. KD the best in the world when health is concerned with Ben Simmons and Ben Simmons you don’t have to worry about shooting….the two teams you don’t wanna trade Ben Simmons to is Brooklyn and Golden State Warriors. Because I believe that Ben Simmons whatever issues he is having they are madder they can win it all. My issue with him going from Philly to Brooklyn is that they aren’t only within the same conference but also within the same division. So even if they don’t get their J I am saying you are an impediment to roadblock the Sixers. That’s my issue you might not win a championship, something might go wrong with them but you are an impediment to that team… When you move a guy and he is serving as a direct impediment to your success you lost because you gave him away to an enemy that can compromise your success and that’s why I say not Brooklyn.”
Not stopping here Stephen A. Smith also mentioned how he believes Joel Embiid and James Harden won’t be able to pass the new Big three of Brooklyn Nets. Somewhere Stephen is very right as this can be a huddle in way and Simmons can create a big problem. But Daryl Morey looks quite firm on his decision and so does James Harden as he didn’t sign the extension and is seen in the market searching for more options and Philadelphia 76ers rank top in his list.
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