The Philadelphia 76ers’ offseason continues to spiral out of control.
After weeks and weeks of rumors and statements, James Harden is still a member of the Sixers. However, that could change very quickly.
On Monday morning, video surfaced of Harden calling Daryl Morey a liar with the guard stating that he won’t be a part of an organization that the Sixers president of basketball operations is a part of.
Elliot Shorr-Parks of Audacy’s original podcast “Clap Your Hands” has defended the Sixers throughout the summer but Harden’s recent comments are a breaking point for him.
“All offseason I have defended this team. While everyone’s been ripping them … I really have defended this team,” Shorr-Parks said (3:38 in player above). “This was the first point, for me, where it felt like a breaking point. A breaking point of grow up. Is this seriously what they’re doing again?”
Shorr-Parks pointed out that there were some positives to take away from last season despite the frustrating finish. Tyrese Maxey is set to take another step and the Sixers’ “Big Three” of Joel Embiid, Harden, and Maxey could develop into a true threat.
But that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.
“All offseason I’ve had this feeling of I know Harden wants to leave but he’s friends with Joel, he’s at the white party with Michael Rubin, and then you see this video and I’m just reminded of ‘Maybe everybody else is just correct,’” Shorr-Parks continued. “All this defending of the Sixers, we have all these dumb leaks from Daryl Morey.
“First of all, why are you leaking that you’re no longer trading him? That’s childish. What are we doing here? It doesn’t matter. He’s not really off the trade block so all you’re doing is poking James Harden. That’s all you’re doing. By leaking that, all you’re basically saying is ‘James, I’m not trading you’ and you’re getting him upset.”
The constant back and forth has resulted in Harden blasting Morey, which is a “straight-up embarrassment” for the Sixers that could impact their future plans.
“James Harden comes out, calls him a liar, and it’s an embarrassment,” Shorr-Parks said. “And if their whole plan is to sign free agents next offseason, guess what? Good luck with that because you guys look like the laughingstock of the NBA”
Harden’s actions could have a ripple effect on what Embiid is thinking – especially after he hinted at playing somewhere else earlier this summer – as well as what the 22-year-old Maxey is looking for in his next contract.
“It’s embarrassing,” Shorr-Parks said. “All these things are true and I completely understand every Sixers fan that called me a fool for defending the team.”
Related
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram