Philly has James Harden instead of Ben Simmons - so why aren't they as good as 2021?

[Im Still Ballin]

They replaced 2021 Ben Simmons with 2023 James Harden. Embiid is putting up the best numbers of his career. They're no longer playing "4 on 5" in the half-court.

So, why aren't they appreciably better? Both teams had injuries, so that's not a legitimate excuse. Are they missing Danny Green? Did Ben bring things to the table that people didn't appreciate or acknowledge?


2021
- SRS: 5.28
- Record: 49-23 (56-26 for a full 82 games)

2023
- SRS: 3.52
- Record: 39-21 (on pace for 53-29)
*not updated for today's game

[Real Men Wear Green]

The easy is better now than it was then.

[fourkicks44]

OP I'll tell you why.

That 21 season was the most interrupted season due to covid protocols, teams sitting players and extended roster turn over. The regular season was a bit of a joke tbh.

The Sixers team looked good in the regular season because of this and were the complete opposite in the playoffs when teams were serious and knuckled down to play.

[Im Still Ballin]

OP I'll tell you why.

That 21 season was the most interrupted season due to covid protocols, teams sitting players and extended roster turn over. The regular season was a bit of a joke tbh.

The Sixers team looked good in the regular season because of this and were the complete opposite in the playoffs when teams were serious and knuckled down to play.

And what happens if Philly comes up short again in the 2nd round?

In theory, swapping 2021 Ben Simmons for 2023 James Harden should've made them much better. Is it possible that 2021 Ben brought some underappreciated value? Defense? Transition offense? What about Danny Green? Do they miss the 2021 version of him?

[NBAGOAT]

pj tucker hasnt had a good rs either. we know he'll be fine in playoffs. tobias was quite a bit better 2 years ago. they're likely a 2nd rd exit again but bucks and celtics are a lot tougher than hawks

[fourkicks44]

And what happens if Philly comes up short again in the 2nd round?

In theory, swapping 2021 Ben Simmons for 2023 James Harden should've made them much better. Is it possible that 2021 Ben brought some underappreciated value? Defense? Transition offense? What about Danny Green? Do they miss the 2021 version of him?

Of course the team misses all those things from Ben and Danny Green was a huge player for the team.

But James Harden ain't going to be afraid to shoot like Ben Simmons then or Ben Simmons now.

Once again, despite popular false narratives, the ONLY time Joel Embiid has lost to a lower seed in the playoffs was to the Hawks in 2021.

[iamgine]

I assume we're talking regular season. Not sure what it is but their role players performed better back then. Tobias Harris was much better. Guys like Thybulle and Korkmaz also was much better. They were also MUCH deeper back then with Embiid and Ben only playing 32 mins a game compared to Embiid and Harden's 36 mins a game today.