Reactions from NBA Legends on James Harden’s Trade to the Clippers
Shaq, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith all spoke up.
As the NBA world awaits James Harden’s debut with the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, everyone is wondering, “How is it going to work?”
Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley each took turns responding to James Harden’s trade to the Clippers during an episode of Inside the NBA. For example, Kenny Smith believes it is the best circumstance for Harden.
“I think this is honestly the best situation for James Harden, individually, as a person,” Smith said. “I’ve said all summer that I think he’s a two guard at this point in his career, not a point guard.” Instead of iso at the top and pushing the pace, it would be more suited to spot up and come off screens… They [the Clippers] were going to contend with or without him; this just makes it a bit easier.”
Shaq was more concerned than Kenny Smith. The big guy thinks the deal appears nice on paper, but he has no idea how the Clippers will employ them. One thing he is certain of is that the Clippers must win a championship this season.
“On paper, it looks good,” Shaq commented. “But I’m not sure which Harden will show up, or which Harden they want to show up.” Do you want Harden to score or do you want him to be a facilitator? You have all these guys on TV debating which option he will be; right now, he is the fourth option. We’ve never seen James Harden as a fourth option… What will they do with him? We’ll have to wait and see how it goes. It’s a bust if they don’t win a title.”
The final participant, Charles Barkley, was perplexed by the move. He has no idea who is playing point guard or shooting guard and has no notion how the backcourt between Harden and Westbrook will function. Barkley’s stance appears to be shared by the majority of NBA fans.
“I don’t know who’s gonna play point guard, I don’t know who’s going to play off guard, so I don’t know how the backcourt is going to work,” Barkley said. “Because of Paul and Kawhi and Zubac, who I adore, they’ll be contenders.” It’ll be fascinating because I don’t believe one of those guys can play without the ball.”
James Harden will address all of these questions in just a few hours when he makes his Clippers debut tonight against the New York Knicks.
