“Who’s gonna play defense?” Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A Smith pessimistic about James Harden trailing behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in pecking order

With the recent trade of James Harden to the LA Clippers ,ESPN commentators such as Shannon Sharpe assert that the guard has to change his game.

“Who’s gonna play defense?” Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A Smith pessimistic about James Harden trailing behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in pecking order

Shannon Sharpe does not believe that James Harden fits in at LA Clippers (via Woj on X)

James Harden finally got his way. The Philadelphia 76ers traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers as he desired. With the recent trade of Harden to the LA Clippers, ESPN commentators such as Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A Smith asserted that the guard has to change his game.

James Harden has now landed with a championship-contending team with star players such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. With the Clippers already loaded with star talent on their roster, Sharpe claimed that Harden, on his arrival, was treated as a “third option.” Shannon Sharpe added that with the MVP’s trade to the Clippers, there are a lot of questions that are unanswered with respect to changes in the dynamics of the roster.

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Shannon Sharpe, on the latest episode of First Take, addressed his concerns with the recent trade. This is what he said:

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My question is, what version of James Harden are we going to get? Because this is the very first time in a very, very, very long time that he's third option. No question about it. It's Kawhi (then) Paul George. Now, what impact, as you said, is he going to have on Russ [Russell Westbrook]? "
Shannon Sharpe via First Take.

Sharpe added Harden should not be a score-first type of player. Kawhi and Paul George already filled those roles and will need Harden to assist in the playmaking. The defense of the team was concerning for Sharpe as they lost some players while trading for Harden.

Skip Bayless on Undisputed labels James Harden’s trade as a nightmare

The MVP, James Harden, has now finally joined the LA Clippers. The saga started after an interesting offseason for the star, calling the 76ers GM Daryl Morey a liar. Harden has partnered with the league’s best stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The trade was a successful one, with the 76ers sending Harden, PJ Tucker, and Filip Petrusev to the LA Clippers in exchange for Nic Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, and multiple draft picks. However, Skip Bayless on “Undisputed” labeled this blockbuster trade as the team’s worst Halloween nightmare.

Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe does not believe in James Harden joining the Clippers
James Harden (via Shams on X)

This is what Skip Bayless had to say on Undisputed: 

In honor of Halloween, the Clippers just fell into the worst nightmare they’ve ever been. They have lived in nightmares for years and years here in the shadow of the Lakers in Los Angeles. … Tonight, if you wanna dress up as somebody who will scare people, dress up as James Harden. He is now in his fourth team in 22 months. He has quit his way out of three teams and I do not doubt that at some point fairly soon he will quit his way out of his hometown.

As did Shannon Sharpe, Skip Bayless also felt the same about Harden’s future. The excessive trade demands in Harden’s career have affected his reputation. If things do not go to plan in the Clippers, Harden might force his way out once again.

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