It’s one game into the Embiid-Harden relationship in Philadelphia but the Sixers fans haven’t forgotten to stick the boot into Ben Simmons.
The James Harden era has begun with a bang in Philadelphia and Joel Embiid and Sixers fans couldn’t help themselves but troll Ben Simmons.
After the ugliest divorce in recent NBA history, the parties were never going to remain friends and the Sixers can’t help themselves.
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Now in a new relationship with Harden, the Sixers schooled the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-102 one their first date and after a long will they-won’t they, it seemed like a match made in heaven.
Harden scored 27 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, while Embiid scored 34 with 10 rebounds and three assists to lead the side around the floor. Tyrese Maxey also joined in with 28 points.
Speaking with NBC after the game, Embiid was in love.
“You should have seen my face every single time, especially in the fourth,” Embiid said.
“The first three quarters, he was making plays for all of us. That was probably as wide-open as I’ve ever been in my entire career.
“I had a lot of easy baskets, I used to have to work for everything. But in the fourth quarter, the shot making ability, shot creation, you should’ve seen my face, I was just like: ‘We’ve never had this. Nothing close to this’. Hopefully that continues.”
Whether his mention of the fourth quarter was due to the fact the Sixers piled on 41 points or Simmons’ infamous game seven pass, we’ll leave that to the fans to decide — Embiid is one of the NBA’s great trolls after all.
Earlier in the week, Embiid told ESPN said Simmons’ trade seemed to end the pairs relationship, he said they spoke just two weeks before the trade but he clearly didn’t want to come back.
“I did a lot of chasing around trying to get him back and try to make him feel comfortable again,” Embiid said to ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
“It was tough. I didn’t care anymore.”
But while Simmons’ strength was clearly his defence while Harden is known for his prolific scoring, fans were quick to point out a stat that shows they’re happy with the side of the bargain they go.
In 275 games Simmons played for the 76ers, Simmons scored five three pointers from 34 attempts, although most were from half-court.
But Harden is fourth on the all-time list of three-point shooters with 2547 baskets from 7035 attempts, and added five from seven on his debut for the Sixers.
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t escape Sixers fans.
Poker player Matt Glantz tweeted: “James Harden was the 3rd leading scorer in his first @sixers game with 27. Nets soon to find out what they got with Ben Simmons.”
6abc WPVI Philadelphia’s Jeff Skversky wrote: “James Harden has as many 3’s tonight in his Sixers debut as Ben Simmons has had in his entire career! 5 from 3 for #JamesHarden tonight!”
Broadcaster Marc Farzetta added: “One of the nice things often said about Simmons was ‘great facilitator.’ Harden is next level with this team as the PG and this is only game 1 of the Harden era!
CBS Sports’ Chris Bengel said: “One night playing with Harden and Embiid is already trashing Simmons’ inability to shoot”.
NBC Sports’ Dan Roche also wrote: “I’ll take “Ben Simmons shade for $800, Alex.”
While 76ers fans are rejoicing right now, others were quick to remind Philly fans that Harden’s playoff record isn’t as positive as his regular season stats.
Harden averages 26.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists in regular season games, but it drops to 23.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in playoffs.
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