32 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Really? Did not recall that if i ever knew it

ben was always mentally soft

yeah but he's gonna save the nets who absolutely raped the sixers on the trade. 

Props to Harden.  Loved the effort.  Especially on defense. 

Harden's shooting and scoring may not be quite what we expected, but he's definitely dispelled the notion that he's nothing but a ball hog. He's been surprisingly deferential while trying to keep everyone involved.  He still cries about not getting calls a little too much but, honestly, he should probably be getting many of the calls he hasn't been.

53 minutes ago, The_Omega said:

Harden's shooting and scoring may not be quite what we expected, but he's definitely dispelled the notion that he's nothing but a ball hog. He's been surprisingly deferential while trying to keep everyone involved.  He still cries about not getting calls a little too much but, honestly, he should probably be getting many of the calls he hasn't been.

The pendulum has swung the other way. He’s clearly not getting the calls he got in those first 5-6 games with the 76ers.

I still think his hammy is bothering him. He has no lift in his shot and is repeatedly landing short of the rim.

He's not as agile getting around defenders as he used to be, but as mentioned he's a better passer than Simmons and is making everyone around him better. 

One play that stood out to me last night, Maxey made an unbelievable layup while screaming through the lane.  He then immediately ignored everyone else while seeking out Harden, who was out near half-court celebrating Maxey's incredible shot. One of the hallmarks of a leader is that they make everyone else around them better, and want to be better, and Harden has clearly done that.  To make a really deep run we'll likely need Harden to be better too, but he's definitely had a positive impact on the team, especially when compared to who he replaced.

33 minutes ago, The_Omega said:

One play that stood out to me last night, Maxey made an unbelievable layup while screaming through the lane.  He then immediately ignored everyone else while seeking out Harden, who was out near half-court celebrating Maxey's incredible shot. One of the hallmarks of a leader is that they make everyone else around them better, and want to be better, and Harden has clearly done that.  To make a really deep run we'll likely need Harden to be better too, but he's definitely had a positive impact on the team, especially when compared to who he replaced.

Agreed. If Harden's biggest impact is that he's making everyone else better (especially Maxey) - rather than pumping his own numbers - that's a perfect outcome. And on a small sample size, it seems they've figured out how to use Tobias effectively. Lets hope that continues against different teams.

To take the Harden point a little further - it seems he's helping the older guys to play well and put up good numbers - in the way he feeds them the ball. Great short term for the playoffs. The effect on Maxey seems to be even bigger than that. Actual nurturing of a young player. Teaching him nuances of the game. Giving him the kick up the ass to attack and not defer to the "stars". That has long term impact and benefit. Now Maxey is really talented and extremely hard working so it's not to say that all Maxey's good play should be credited to Harden or that Maxey wouldn't have figured it out anyway but from everything we've seen and heard so far, it certainly appears that Harden is at least part of the reason why Maxey has continued such an impressive rate of improvement. And we'll hopefully reap the rewards of this for the next decade.

Does anyone miss Ben sprinting down the court, getting to the foul line, jumping up in the air, pirouetting and throwing the ball back out? 

1 hour ago, bbabraham said:

Agreed. If Harden's biggest impact is that he's making everyone else better (especially Maxey) - rather than pumping his own numbers - that's a perfect outcome. And on a small sample size, it seems they've figured out how to use Tobias effectively. Lets hope that continues against different teams.

To take the Harden point a little further - it seems he's helping the older guys to play well and put up good numbers - in the way he feeds them the ball. Great short term for the playoffs. The effect on Maxey seems to be even bigger than that. Actual nurturing of a young player. Teaching him nuances of the game. Giving him the kick up the ass to attack and not defer to the "stars". That has long term impact and benefit. Now Maxey is really talented and extremely hard working so it's not to say that all Maxey's good play should be credited to Harden or that Maxey wouldn't have figured it out anyway but from everything we've seen and heard so far, it certainly appears that Harden is at least part of the reason why Maxey has continued such an impressive rate of improvement. And we'll hopefully reap the rewards of this for the next decade.

this. while i also agree that maxey himself is the biggest factor, what harden is doing is huge. the kid is a superstar in the making IMO. with his talent, the work ethic, the fearlessness, and that motor, i think the likes of which we haven't seen since a.i. is something to see as he develops.  

then to have a guy like harden take him under his wing, this kid is going to suck up all that knowledge to go along with that talent. 

 

2 hours ago, 4for4EaglesNest said:

Props to Harden.  Loved the effort.  Especially on defense. 

Yeah, I did think he looked highly engaged on the defensive end. He’s obviously not a plus defender, but he was locked in on his assignments and made some nice plays. 

1 hour ago, The_Omega said:

One play that stood out to me last night, Maxey made an unbelievable layup while screaming through the lane.  He then immediately ignored everyone else while seeking out Harden, who was out near half-court celebrating Maxey's incredible shot. One of the hallmarks of a leader is that they make everyone else around them better, and want to be better, and Harden has clearly done that.  To make a really deep run we'll likely need Harden to be better too, but he's definitely had a positive impact on the team, especially when compared to who he replaced.

I definitely get big bro/little bro vibes from Harden and Maxey. Harden looks genuinely proud anytime Tyrese makes a play. 

Here are the stats from Mr Crock Pot. Whoever that is

16 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Here are the stats from Mr Crock Pot. Whoever that is

He’s gonna need hit shots to fall if we want any chance of a deep run. 

Also it’s nice to have home court advantage back now that Ben is off the team. 

9 minutes ago, Khani1 said:

He’s gonna need hit shots to fall if we want any chance of a deep run. 

IMO Toronto was the toughest matchup for them until the ECF. I think if they close this series out, they’ll beat Miami. I think that qualifies as a deep run. But yes, to make the finals Harden may have to score some more, but who knows. If he keeps just running the offense and setting up Jo, Embiid and Harris that could be enough.
 

Harris is the wild card. If he keeps hitting his shots, they’re going to be tough to beat. 

9 minutes ago, nipples said:

IMO Toronto was the toughest matchup for them until the ECF. I think if they close this series out, they’ll beat Miami. I think that qualifies as a deep run. But yes, to make the finals Harden may have to score some more, but who knows. If he keeps just running the offense and setting up Jo, Embiid and Harris that could be enough.
 

Harris is the wild card. If he keeps hitting his shots, they’re going to be tough to beat. 

Heat put the absolute clamps on Trae Game 1 so to think they will run thru the Heat is over looking them. They have the 6th man of the year in Herro and Duncan Robinson coming off the bench for them. Not to mention Spolestra will coach circles around Doc. 

They are better than the Raptors by a lot. L

 

Jordan really needed that ice

The really need to stay focused and go for the sweep. Then hope that Atlanta can take the Heat to 6 games. Harden and Joel can get extended rest before the Heat series. 

1 hour ago, Alpha_TATEr said:

this. while i also agree that maxey himself is the biggest factor, what harden is doing is huge. the kid is a superstar in the making IMO. with his talent, the work ethic, the fearlessness, and that motor, i think the likes of which we haven't seen since a.i. is something to see as he develops.  

then to have a guy like harden take him under his wing, this kid is going to suck up all that knowledge to go along with that talent. 

 

1 hour ago, nipples said:

I definitely get big bro/little bro vibes from Harden and Maxey. Harden looks genuinely proud anytime Tyrese makes a play. 

yeah, if this can be our version of CP3/Devin Booker (not literally obviously considering the age differences in both examples), there's no reason to think this team doesn't eventually come out of the East over the next few years, if not this year. 

Can we take a minute to thank the Houston owner for blocking the Harden for Ben and Maxey deal that was agreed upon. 

 

2 hours ago, DaEagles4Life said:

Heat put the absolute clamps on Trae Game 1 so to think they will run thru the Heat is over looking them. They have the 6th man of the year in Herro and Duncan Robinson coming off the bench for them. Not to mention Spolestra will coach circles around Doc. 

They are better than the Raptors by a lot. L

Yes the Heat are better than the Raptors, but the Sixers just match up better against Miami IMO. 

20 minutes ago, nipples said:

Yes the Heat are better than the Raptors, but the Sixers just match up better against Miami IMO. 

Id be shocked if that one doesn’t go 7 games. 

1 hour ago, Khani1 said:

Can we take a minute to thank the Houston owner for blocking the Harden for Ben and Maxey deal that was agreed upon. 

You mean the one you wanted to do? 

 

 

Yes, thank you Houston owner guy.