During the Game 7 loss of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, James Harden only scored nine points, failing to reach double digits for the second time in this postseason.
This subpar performance prompted Stephen A. Smith to lash out at the star guard, criticizing him in no uncertain terms. Smith went so far as to suggest that Harden shave his beard to better conceal his identity after such a poor showing.
Smith, who had worked in Philadelphia for 17 years, stated that what Harden did during Game 7 would make it difficult for him to walk the streets without facing 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 (@ClutchPoints) May 15, 2023
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Jayson Tatum's Spectacular Performance
On the other hand, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics had a spectacular performance, scoring 51 points. This came after a previous game where he missed 14 out of 15 shots, only to come alive in the fourth quarter to save the team's season.
During the game against the Sixers, Tatum scored 25 points in the first half, contributing to the close back-and-forth of the game. He then scored 17 more points in the third quarter, where the Celtics outscored the Sixers 33-10.
This run helped the Celtics turn their narrow three-point lead into a commanding lead, securing their victory.
Harden's poor performance was reflected in his -30 plus-minus rating during the game. Among the Sixers' starters, his nine points were the lowest, as he shot only 3-of-11 from the field and 1-for-5 from three-point range.
Alongside Joel Embiid, he contributed a total of 24 points, shooting just 8-for-39 as a duo. The Sixers were ultimately outmatched, losing to the Celtics 112-88.
Harden's disappointing end to the season in Philadelphia led to widespread criticism, with Smith being one of the most vocal critics with his fiery rant.
Related Article: Sixers: Joel Embiid 2022-23 NBA MVP
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