Jarrett Allen, for all his rim-running savvy, was never going to hold up a trade for a former MVP. Harden won each of the last three scoring titles by notable margins 2.3 points over Anthony Davis in 2017-18, 8.1 points over Paul George in 2018-19 and 3.8 points over Bradley Beal last season. Both Drummond and McGee will enter unrestricted free agency after this season, while the Cavs will control Allens rights in restricted free agency. Its something that I dont think can be fixed.. James Harden hit seven 3-pointers and had 23 points and 13 assists, NBA MVP finalist Joel Embiid scored 26 points and the Philadelphia 76ers pushed back Mikal Bridges and the Brooklyn Nets in a 121-101 Game 1 victory. Unlikely in Philly, where Harden wouldve slotted neatly into Ben Simmonss spot in the starting lineup, theres much to figure out in Brooklynincluding whether Kyrie Irving is ever going to show up for work again. The Rockets, sources said, also addressed the idea of including second-year guard Jalen Green, the No. 11 and No. Ditto for Caris LeVert, a player who is similar to Harden in function but worse in every meaningful way. Bridges attended Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, then played three seasons at Villanova. Also, Milwaukee's 2022 first-round pick, via Cleveland. Potentially swapping with the Rockets in 2021 shouldnt be a problem. Harden, who topped the league in assists this season, picked up the slack and stuck it to the Nets with his step-back 3s. James Hardens sixth sense: What makes playmaking critical to the Sixers stars game. James Harden's trade to Brooklyn brings an end to his standoff in Houston. My legs, my body feels just powerful, feels strong.. In 29 total regular-season games, Irving averages 27.4 points the highest of his career along with 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. The Rockets are just 3-6 so far this season and only Minnesota has a worse record in the Western Conference. Caris, Jarrett, Rodions and Taurean were instrumental to the team's success and have made an enormous impact on our organization. James Harden makes history in Nets' win over Spurs, notches seventh triple-double since trade to Brooklyn Harden is the first player to record at least 30 points, 15 It has been noted that Rockets have the best defensive rating while the Nets have the worst defensive rating before tonight's games. June 15, 2021 In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Irving goes down with an ankle sprain that would ultimately hold him out of the remainder of the series. TEAM GP REC W% MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FGM Kevin Durant has missed 11 of Brooklyn's last 12 games, but despite a rocky start, the Nets have now won nine of their past 10 with Harden at the helm. As a result of the 2019 Chris PaulforRussell Westbrook swap, the Thunder own the right to swap either their first-round pick or the Heats first pick (which they also own) in the 2021 draft for Houstons, as long as the Rockets pick doesnt land in the top four. Scan this QR code to download the app now. As anyone can see, the defense is a joke, and as it turns out, is on pace to be historically bad. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Amsterdam News Among issues Charania highlighted, Harden's style of play was a "point of contention" among the Nets staff and players. That is mind-blowing and shows they can score at will. The Ewing Theory tries to explain how and why teams sometimes seem to improve when they lose their star player. Feb. 13, 2021 In a win over the Warriors, Durant tweaks his left hamstring, an injury that would ultimately hold him out for seven weeks and 22 games. Brooklyn Nets timeline: What went wrong leading to trade and breakup of James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving. Its a simple game but it becomes complicated when you put different personalities and players on the floor, Nash said. First-year Rockets head coach Stephen Silas called the drama surrounding Harden an "all-around messed up situation. Playing alongside Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis should get him only the best of looks, and unlike Allenwho landed on a team that is rebuildingLeVert will still be on a playoff team, and perhaps a more dangerous one because of him. Durant agrees to a four-year, $198 million extension with the Nets, Nets general manager Sean Marks announces, Why reportedly unhappy James Harden could move on from Nets, According toa report from The Athletic's Shams Charania, How Kyrie Irving's status, frustrations with Nets led to James Harden's sudden exit, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey reports, James Harden, Ben Simmons trade details: Nets, 76ers swap All-Stars in blockbuster deal, Kevin Durant hilariously refuses to select former teammate James Harden. The Rockets have sent James Harden to the Nets in a blockbuster four-team trade that also involves the Pacers and Cavaliers, completing the unhappy star's exit from Houston and setting up a potential superteam in Brooklyn. The Nets were previously the favorites to win the title and were the Easts #2 seed prior to the All-Star break. This is the downside of going to the casino with Dealer Daryl: You can check out, but you can never leave. Durant, who scored 26 points in the Nets' 116-109 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, is averaging 29.4 points through nine games in his first season back from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Hours after the deal was done, Durant, an All-Star captain, declined to select Harden during the draft for the upcoming All-Star Game. All of a sudden, everything they lost from the James Harden deal is coming back. I don't plan on leaving this organization and the situation we have. Breaking down the trade with stats, film and analysis on Brooklyn, Houston, Cleveland and Indiana. Jan. 25, 2022 Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reports that Harden would welcome a change of scenery in the offseason, citing disappointment with the rotations of head coach Steve Nash, frustration with Irving's part-time availability (which was exacerbated by Durant's absence) and a general lack of enjoyment of living in New York. And it's good to balance it out.". The Brooklyn Nets suffered a shocking loss Sunday night against the Washington Wizards. "Adding an All-NBA player such as James to our roster better positions our team to compete against the league's best," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement released by the team. The feel-good reunion lasted about 15 minutes and Bridges was traded to Phoenix for Zhaire Smith. Chris Ryan: Nobody who watched Ben Simmonss Tuesday night performance against the Heat would have been surprised if it had been his last game as a member of the Sixers. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Harden, 32, who forced a trade from the Houston Rockets to the Nets in January of 2021, wanted out of Brooklyn a year later. The Nets go all-in, pairing Harden with fellow superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in a move impacting multiple teams in both conferences. The Philadelphia 76ers will have competition in their bid to keep James Harden around past this season, as Hardens former team, the Houston Rockets. Now Hell Face LeBron and the Lakers. The off-night from the floor wasnt good enough for Nets coach Jacque Vaughn. https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1384633523588386830?s=21. After weeks of enduring the Harden debacle and weighing offers, Stone ultimately opted for the tantalizing potential of future first-round draft picks (four of them, plus four pick swaps). I look for it everyday! Rob Mahoney: When you already have a team built around one of the best basketball players in existence in Kevin Durant, the only thing that really matters is today. Harden and Durant, who have combined to win seven of the past 11 NBA scoring titles entering this season, become the fifth pair of teammates in NBA history to play on the same team after winning multiple scoring titles, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The deal will reportedly include a fourth team, the Indiana Pacers, but that aspect of the deal has not been made official yet. Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics face off again. In the years to come, Allen could team with Larry Nance Jr. and rookie Isaac Okoro to form the core of a consistently stout defensesomething Cleveland has lacked ever since LeBron James left town. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Bridges helped the Wildcats win two national championship -- the 2016 and 2018 national championship banners hang in the Wells Fargo Center rafters. The 2020-21 NBA season has already had its share of misfortune, but Wednesday finally brought a pleasant surprise: its first superstar trade. 1 overall pick in 2016 hasnt played in an NBA game since last June when the 76ers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Atlanta Hawks. Across the four games against Brooklyn, Harden shot just 9-for-34 on 2-point shots. "A lot of the dominant NBA players have been in the West for whatever reason. The performance, statistically speaking, was historic. That means the Nets are allowing that many points per 100 possessions. Sept. 27, 2021 Due to New York City guidelines surrounding persons unvaccinated for COVID-19, Irving is unavailable to join the Nets at media day ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Allen finishes damn near everything he gets his hands on at the rim; hes averaging 1.41 points per possession finished as the roll man in the two-man game, fourth best among players who have finished at least 25 such plays this season, according to Synergy Sports. A simple statistical comparison makes it abundantly clear which center gave the Nets better production: Now Jordan is the starter by default; second-year center Nicolas Claxton, who has missed the entire season so far with a knee injury and has never started an NBA game, is the only other traditional big on the roster. That all-around dominance has been a staple of Harden's since joining the Nets. The question is: Did they dangle Simmons so far out in the trade waters that theres no reeling him back in? That was in a 98-85 victory over the Miami Heat two days after the Heat dropped 124 points on the Nets. On paper, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden had a very productive first round series against the Brooklyn Nets. Hes older at 26 years old, but he also is developing into a legitimate shot creator and is already a very good defender. We've got to keep improving, keep playing good basketball and moving forward, we'll see how it is going to end up.". Then Allen started one game against Utah and tallied 19 points and 18 boardsand stayed in that position every game since. Harden is averaging 26 points and 11.2 assists per game in a Brooklyn uniform. The Rockets also get Cleveland's 2022 first-round pick, via the Milwaukee Bucks, and Houston is sending a 2023 second-round pick to the Pacers, sources told ESPN. While not nearly quite dipping to the bed-soiling levels Harden explored against the Lakers that same night, Simmonss five-points-and-a-foul-out turn (albeit softened by his 12 assists and six boards) was the kind of game a player has when they know the next thing they have to do is pack their bags. Hes confident in how we play now, coach Doc Rivers said. Philly almost gave up a multipositional All-NBA anomaly before he even turned 25 to get Harden. As Lukas Matsson closes in on the acquisition of Waystar, Kendall pitches a revolutionary product: fancy retirement homes? Were just not good enough I love this city. Jan. 17, 2022 Without Durant, the Nets travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. Required fields are marked *. His name has been dangled in every possible Nets trade, and his own teammate (Irving) more or less implied he (and the rest of the Nets roster) wasnt good enough to get the job done. With Jimmy Butler hobbled late by an ankle injury, Miami gets big performances from Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love to take the series opener in New York. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, The deal will reportedly include a fourth team, the Indiana Pacers, but that aspect of the deal has not been made official yet. Remember, Harden is making $40.8 million this season and $43.8 million next season, and he even holds a $46.9 million option for 2022-23. Matt Dollinger: The irony was not lost on me when the Pacers traded the guy who infamously said Can I come play with yall? to a 3-6 team in the state of Texas (and in a state of chaos). Breaking down the Golden State-Los Angeles matchup with 3 things to watch, 1 X-factor and a series prediction. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. After a hot start defensively, the Nets have given up 113.2 points per 100 possessions in their past eight games, ranking 25th in the league in that span. Phone: 212-932-7400, The Nets and 76ers finally meet since the Harden for Simmons trade, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The 3-time scoring champ is headed to Brooklyn in a deal involving Houston and Cleveland. Keep track of all the official trades announced during the 2020-21 NBA season. Harden, who appears to be out of shape after joining the Rockets after training camp began, is averaging 24.8 this season after three straight seasons above 30, culminating in MVP honors in 2018. The Rockets are 3-6 -- only Minnesota has a worse record in the Western Conference -- and Houston guard John Wall called the situation "rocky," while fellow newcomer DeMarcus Cousins said before Wednesday's trade that Harden's antics were "disrespectful" to his teammates. There are many things about Kyrie that can be questioned but his talent is not one of them: the man is a superstar. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. WebThe Rockets have won 6 straight and officially have a better record than the Nets since the Harden trade. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, as part of a package for Did Sixers or Nets win the Ben Simmons and James Harden trade? Harden is ready to take the floor against former teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving; Simmons is gradually preparing for his Nets debut at a yet-to-be publicly stated date. Philly was 5-0 since acquiring Harden going into last nights (Wednesday) game hosting the Phoenix Suns. The Nets were the No. Feb. 4, 2022 Harden is sidelined with a hamstring issue, his first of three consecutive absences from the Nets as trade rumors loom. Dec. 17, 2021 29 games into the 2021-22 season, Marks changes his stance, announcing that the team will permit Irving to rejoin on a part-time basis. Thats a bummer, no matter how you spin it. May 15, 2021 Durant, Harden and Irving share the floor for the final time in the 2020-21 regular season. My focus is on the season and winning a championship. He also tied Reggie Miller for third on the NBAs all-time three-pointers made list with 2,560. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As thrilling and loud as it was for Game 7 on Saturday at Barclays Center, the Nets died in overtime, 115-111, and lasted just one round further than the rebuilding Knicks. Harden wasnt just a superstar, but a one-man hierarchy. At least Sam Presti can reap the rewards of one Harden trade. The Nets have an offensive rating of 122.6 since acquiring Harden. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. MORE:Kevin Durant hilariously refuses to select former teammate James Harden, Feb. 12, 2022 Durant speaks to the media prior to the Nets game in Miami, saying"James doesn't have to explain anything to anybody," adding that "he's his own man. Jan. 12, 2022 Two nights after a confounding loss to the Trail Blazers, Durant, Harden and Irving share the floor for what would be the 16th and final time, as the Nets cruise to an impressive 26-point blowout win against the Bulls. Philly fans can only imagine Bridges in this lineup. Archived post. Hardens ineffectiveness around the rim in the first half -- he was 1 of 8 on 2s -- was offset by his 5-of-7 shooting on 3s. DeAnthony Melton, Jalen McDaniels and Georges Niang all hit 3s -- the 76ers made 13 of 21 in the half -- to keep them in control of Game 1. Tobias Harris added 21 points and the 76ers hit a postseason team-record 21 3s in the opener of this Eastern Conference playoff series. Feb. 2, 2021 Harden hits the ground running in Brooklyn, averaging 24.1 points, 12.0 assists and 8.2 rebounds through his first nine games with his new team. Aug. 8, 2021 Durant agrees to a four-year, $198 million extension with the Nets, keeping him with the franchise through the 2025-26 NBA season. Add in the one Play-In game win and the three playoff losses, and the Nets went 21-29 after Kyries return (winning percenter of 42%). The Rockets will undoubtedly be worse without Harden, who is good enough to drag a mediocre team to the playoffs by himself, but they also shouldnt be so terriblewith a talented trio in Oladipo, Wall, and Woodthat they trigger top-four protection. Tobias Harris added 19 points and the 76ers hit 21 3s in the opener of this Eastern Conference playoff series. "Obviously they got better, way better," Antetokounmpo said after recording a triple-double in Milwaukee's victory Wednesday over the Pistons. Brian breaks down Bostons overtime loss to the Florida Panthers, Plus, reacting to Rangers-Devils Game 7 and Nora Princiotti talks the NFL draft, Bill, Sean, and Joanna discuss Romans all-time low and Toms comeback, Chris and Andy break down the surprise success of Kendalls pitch for Living+ and much more. Here are five questions that could determine that series outcome. He hasnt been able to recapture that form at all and has struggled mightily this year. After a cringeworthy start to the season (and some even more cringeworthy quotes from their star), the Houston Rockets have relented and traded James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team megadeal, which also sent Caris LeVert to the Pacers and Victor Oladipo to the Rockets. Either Philly does some serious damage control, decries the trade talk as gossip, and states that Ben is our guy, and then Simmons actually believes it. 122.6 offensive rating Best in league Would be the best of all time, 119.9 defensive rating Worst in league Would be the worst of all time pic.twitter.com/B5EbhfuEzH. A first-round sweep would mark a pitiful end to a wildly disappointing season. LeVert could prove to be the next savvy move. Competitively speaking, this is a demotion. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports. But ultimately, Harden will leave behind a big void. Before the Nets are feted as Finals favorites, lets remember that Harden falls squarely in the be-careful-what-you-wish-for zone. No, it wont be the same as having their own picks. Steve Nash Applauds Nets for Win Over Jazz. From where things stand in 2021, this is as much a move as a message; Harden is worth this kind of haul on his own merits, but even more to a franchise that is building a bond with Durant it hopes will last far beyond his current contract. is shigaraki deku's brother,