After much speculation, the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade finally went down before the trade deadline. The two Eastern Conference rivals, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers agreed to trade their respective disgruntled superstars. The trade also moved Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and Paul Millsap between the two teams.
Reports have since emerged of the extent of James Harden’s fallout with the Nets locker room. However, Harden has blocked that out and wants to get on with his new chapter. His 2nd newest chapter in 2 seasons.
After addressing a full media room in his presentation, Harden showed up at the 76ers practice facility. At least that was a stark change to Ben Simmons’ consistent, season-long unexplained absences from practice.
A clip from his first practice session emerged where he was seen working alongside Philadelphia’s superstar, Joel Embiid. Specifically working on their step-back shot, it seemed the MVP frontrunner was following his new teammate’s lead. This, despite Harden shooting a career-low 33.2% from behind the arc this season. Embiid would do well to look elsewhere to hone his 3 point shooting.
James Harden and Joel Embiid working on their step back 🔥
(Via @rich_hofmann ) pic.twitter.com/kfyxx3YKfe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 15, 2022
Tracy McGrady reads into the alleged James Harden injury
On NBA’s pregame show on TNT, former NBA scoring champion, Tracy McGrady questioned the implications of Harden’s statements to the press.
“When you say you want to play with guys that wanna win, what are you insinuating? The guys at Brooklyn didn’t wanna win?”
"You don't rehab a hammy by doing stepbacks." 😅
Tracy McGrady reacts to James Harden's first press conference and practice in Philly. pic.twitter.com/hk4J8x1iJy
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2022
McGrady went on to raise concerns over James Harden’s alleged hamstring strain. Other NBA legends in the studio, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade echoed their agreement to McGrady’s probe into the legitimacy of the superstar’s injury.
“When things hit the fan, he wanted outta there. He wasn’t hurt. You don’t rehab a hammy by doing stepbacks!”
The Philadelphia 76ers have since listed Harden as unavailable through the All-Star weekend, where Cavaliers’ center Jarrett Allen has been announced as his replacement.
one practice with James Harden later pic.twitter.com/wBWuBfgzte
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 16, 2022
However, Harden’s fortunes from Brooklyn seem to have followed him to Philadelphia where the Celtics humiliated the 76ers 87-135. And the spirit of the Harden step-back was on full display in Joel Embiid’s shooting too.