“I have never seen any star that bad in Game 7” – Stephen A. Smith SOUNDS OFF on James Harden’s awful performance in series decider against Celtics

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith rips into James Harden for his dismal showing in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics.

“I have never seen any star that bad in Game 7” – Stephen A. Smith SOUNDS OFF on James Harden’s awful performance in series decider against Celtics

Stephen A. Smith (L) and James Harden (R)

James Harden had a night to forget in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics. The Philadelphia 76ers star guard scored just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting, including 1-of-5 from three-point range, and turned the ball over five times in a 112-88 loss that ended his team’s season.

Harden’s performance was so poor that it earned him a brutal takedown from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who did not mince words when blasting Harden for his lack of clutchness and leadership on First Take.

YouTube video

“Now we get to the stats about [James] Harden… 9 points on 3-of-11 shooting, 5 turnovers. We are talking about a guy in James Harden, who went five games in a seven games series scoring 4 field goals or less, we talking about 3 times scoring champion, we talking about a dude that led in assists this year, we talking about a dude that averages 20 [points] in his sleep and couldn’t score 4 field goals in a game five times in seven games.” Smith said.

FS Video

Smith added, “I got more, I got more, Career game 7’s, Harden 21 points at 36% shooting 22% shooting from 3-point range. James Harden has the worst three-point percentage in Game 7’s in NBA playoff history [minimum of 25 attempts] There is no 3-point shooter that is worse than James Harden in NBA history in Game 7’s. You cant make this up.”

“I have never seen any star that bad in Game 7,” Smith concluded.

Also Read: James Harden trade update: NBA insider SIGNALS “real possibility” for All-star’s home return

What does this mean for James Harden and the Sixers?

james harden
Sixers’ James Harden (Via Twitter)

Harden’s Game 7 nightmare was not only a stain on his legacy, but also a huge disappointment for the Sixers’ championship hopes. The team had given up Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle and draft picks to get Harden, hoping that he would be the missing piece to their puzzle.

Instead, he proved to be a hindrance in the most important moments of the season. Harden will have to face some tough questions this offseason about his role and fit with the Sixers, especially with Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, as the undisputed leader and franchise player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy7YUPu8A9w

Harden is still under contract with the Sixers for one more season, with a player option for 2023-24 season at the age of 34. He has a chance to redeem himself and prove his critics wrong next season, but he will have to show more heart, grit and determination than he did in Game 7. Otherwise, he will continue to be labelled as a choker and a disappointment by many fans and analysts.

In Case You Missed: