(Photo : Adam Glanzman / Stringer) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – James Harden (#1) of the Philadelphia 76ers takes the court docket previous to recreation seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals towards the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
During the Game 7 lack of the Philadelphia 76ers towards the Boston Celtics on Sunday, James Harden solely scored 9 factors, failing to succeed in double digits for the second time on this postseason.
This subpar efficiency prompted Stephen A. Smith to lash out on the star guard, criticizing him in no unsure phrases. Smith went as far as to recommend that Harden shave his beard to raised conceal his id after such a poor exhibiting.
Smith, who had labored in Philadelphia for 17 years, said that what Harden did throughout Game 7 would make it tough for him to stroll the streets with out going through criticism.
“James Harden was so awful, so bad, he should actually shave his beard so he can hide his identity. That’s how bad he was. It was really, really bad. I say that in all seriousness.”
— Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/3YX7TfDiJs
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 15, 2023
Read More: Celtics: Jayson Tatum Embarrasses Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum’s Spectacular Performance
On the opposite hand, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics had a spectacular efficiency, scoring 51 factors. This got here after a earlier recreation the place he missed 14 out of 15 photographs, solely to come back alive within the fourth quarter to avoid wasting the workforce’s season.
During the sport towards the Sixers, Tatum scored 25 factors within the first half, contributing to the shut back-and-forth of the sport. He then scored 17 extra factors within the third quarter, the place the Celtics outscored the Sixers 33-10.
This run helped the Celtics flip their slim three-point lead right into a commanding lead, securing their victory.
Harden’s poor efficiency was mirrored in his -30 plus-minus score through the recreation. Among the Sixers’ starters, his 9 factors had been the bottom, as he shot solely 3-of-11 from the sphere and 1-for-5 from three-point vary.
Alongside Joel Embiid, he contributed a complete of 24 factors, taking pictures simply 8-for-39 as a duo. The Sixers had been in the end outmatched, dropping to the Celtics 112-88.
Harden’s disappointing finish to the season in Philadelphia led to widespread criticism, with Smith being probably the most vocal critics together with his fiery rant.
Related Article: Sixers: Joel Embiid 2022-23 NBA MVP
© 2018 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce with out permission.
