Even Better

The Sixers Look Better Without Harden, Than With Him

    With Phoenix rolling into the Wells Fargo Center the Sixers were used to being without James Harden. They had already defeated the Raptors a few nights before, but on paper the Sixers didn't look like they would return to their former glory. Without their star guard they could still win games but could they win against more difficult teams like the Suns

    Harden made it clear he wasn't going to be a 76er ever again after is comments over the summer. So while trusting Philly fans hoped Harden would simply cool off, the L.A. Clippers and the 76ers went back and forth. 

    And the Clippers and Harden eventually had their way. Harden got shipped over to L.A. bringing P.J. Tucker with him. The Sixers got multiple draft picks and also got Nic Batum and Robert Covington, a long with a couple other players in Marcus Morris and K.J. Martin. The winner is L.A., some people said. After all, they got an all star to add to their roster, and gave up relatively minor pieces. Not so fast. 

     The Sixers rolled over Phoenix at home 112-100, and the Suns are a good team. Kevin Durant is an all star for a reason, and they had a good season last year. But Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre and Tobias Harris had games. Kelly Oubre had 25 points and is doing a phenomenal job replacing P.J. Tucker. Joel Embiid grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 26 points. Tobias Harris grabbed 10 rebounds of his own, while Tyrese Maxey put up 22 points, and 10 assists. 

The Suns were no match for the Sixers

Photo Credit: The San Diego Union-Tribune

    Maxey has been the story, lighting up since Harden's departure, leaving fans wondering whether Harden was holding Maxey back. Maxey's 10 assists vs the Suns was only the second time he has had such number in his career. Harden has usually been the assist master, leaving Maxey to rebound. But with Maxey taking over as point guard, his numbers have soared. Last year, he averaged 3.5 assists per game, and it was unimaginable for him to get a 10 assist game. But with Harden out of the way, Maxey is blooming, and showing his full potential. 

   Harden was a good player. But he was selfish and is a me-player. Every single team he has been on has never won any championship. Although some are saying the Clippers won the trade, the 76ers got rid of a selfish player they didn't need, and got some good ones in return. Furthermore L.A. didn't get much at all. All of their star players, Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russel Westbrook are age 32 or older. 

   The 76ers are 4-1 and look even better than last year. The Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey duo looks lethal, and adding Kelly Oubre has made a scary team look even scarier. 

The above photo was taken from a San Diego Union-Tribune article. Photo was an AP photo/ Matt Slocum. Image used for commentary.