Joel Embiid: James Harden 'Completely Different' Than Perceived Ahead of 76ers Debut
Feb 25, 2022
Philadelphia 76ers' James Harden, right, and owner Joshua Harris, left, poses for photos following a press conference at the NBA basketball team's facility, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Camden, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid suggested Friday that perception does not equal reality when it comes to new teammate James Harden.
According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Embiid said the following about Harden during Friday's shootaround:
I mean, it's funny, you see all the stories that are out there, and all that stuff, and obviously we all see it. It's completely different than what you see out there. He's a great person, a great personality, always smiling, fun to be around. Everything, really.
His presence on the team, and on the floor, has really changed a lot since he got here. So I'm just excited for that to continue on the court and I think that's going to help us a lot.
Harden, who was acquired along with Paul Millsap in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks, is set to make his 76ers debut Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Harden's last two stops have ended dramatically, as he is now set to play for his third different team in the past two seasons.
After winning three scoring titles and an NBA MVP award in nine seasons with the Houston Rockets, a clearly unhappy Harden was traded from Houston to Brooklyn during the 2020-21 season.
The Nets' goal was to win it all with a Big Three of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but the trio barely ever saw the floor together in parts of two seasons due largely to injuries.
In late January, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported that Harden was unhappy in Brooklyn. Fischer also noted that Harden was frustrated over the fact that Irving could only be a part-time player because of his COVID-19 vaccination status.
Just a couple of weeks later, Harden was dealt from Brooklyn to Philly ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
In Philadelphia, Harden is reunited with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who was the general manager for most of his tenure with the Rockets.
Harden also figures to have a more defined role with the Sixers than he did the Nets since he won't have to share the backcourt with Irving.
While Embiid is the force inside, the offense is likely to run through Harden at the guard spot, giving him license to chuck up plenty of shots and also facilitate to his teammates.
Harden was chosen as an All-Star this season, but his struggles were evident, as his 22.5 points per game are his lowest since the 2011-12 season. He is also shooting just 41.4 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from beyond the arc, although his 10.2 assists per game are the third-best mark of his career.
There have been questions regarding how good of a teammate Harden is now that he has essentially forced himself out of two different situations in a little over a year, but Embiid clearly has no such concerns.
Embiid called Harden "very smart" and said he believes Harden's transition into the lineup will be a "smooth" one.
With a record of 35-23, the Sixers are third in the Eastern Conference, just three games behind the Chicago Bulls.
Philadelphia accomplished that without the services of Simmons, so with Harden entering the fray and teaming up with Embiid, the 76ers are now considered one of the top contenders to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
There can be only one...word to describe the state of every NBA team coming out of the 2022 All-Star break. That is the rule imposed upon yours truly, and I'm sticking to it religiously, without exception...
There are seven weeks left in the 2021-22 NBA season, and the sprint to the finish leaves us with several interesting storylines. The MVP race and competition for the scoring title could go down to the wire...
NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid Pushed Hard for Bradley Beal Trade Before James Harden Deal
Feb 25, 2022
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid reacts to his basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 117-107. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Joel Embiid might have had another star in his sights prior to the Philadelphia 76ers acquiring James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons reported Thursday on his podcast that Embiid "really wanted" Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal "and was pushing really hard for it."
"Part of the reason the trade stuff took so long was because there was the Sixers side that wanted Harden—obviously Daryl [Morey], because Harden is his guy," Simmons said at the 42-minute mark. "But Embiid really wanted Beal because he felt like he was a better fit and was pushing, pushing, pushing."
Simmons also reported that Embiid was angling to land Beal even after the three-time All-Star suffered a wrist injury that eventually required season-ending surgery
In a vacuum, Beal might have been a better target for Philadelphia than Harden.
Harden is having one of his worst seasons in terms of efficiency (41.4 percent overall and 33.2 percent on threes) in the NBA, and his hamstring troubles underscore some of the risk in giving him a massive long-term extension if he opts out of his current deal this summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_zuMF8Y1yA
Considering the longstanding questions over his conditioning and his physical style, the 32-year-old may not age gracefully.
Beal has had durability problems of his own. He missed 27 combined games over the previous two years before having yet another season curtailed by injuries.
Still, he's four years younger than Harden and arguably better suited to play alongside another All-Star because he doesn't initiate the offense as frequently as Harden does.
Beal has a 27.6 percent usage rate for his career compared to 30.5 percent for Harden, per Basketball Reference. The latter is on pace to finish eighth all-time in that category.
Whereas Harden's departure from Brooklyn looked inevitable as the deadline neared, there was nothing indicating Washington was ever close to parting with its best player.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Feb. 4 the odds of the Wizards actually trading Beal were low unless he formally requested an exit. General manager Tommy Sheppard also reiterated that Washington is hopeful of re-signing him if he opts out in the offseason.
Swinging a trade for Beal would've been easier said than done for Philly before the wrist injury. Once he was ruled out for the year, there was probably no chance the Sixers would still pursue that avenue.
Harden, who's due to debut for Philadelphia on Friday, at least can help the franchise chase a title this season.
Joel Embiid Talks Ben Simmons Relationship, 76ers' Trade for James Harden, More
Feb 22, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers high-five during a game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 30, 2021 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid revealed to ESPN's Malika Andrews he reached out to Ben Simmons around a week or two before the NBA trade deadline.
"I did a lot of chasing around," Embiid said. "Try to get him back and try to make him feel comfortable again. You know, it was tough. I didn't care anymore."
“I did a lot of chasing around trying to get him back and try to make him feel comfortable again. It was tough. I didn’t care anymore.”
Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons, James Harden, and the MVP race. Catch our convo on NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/cI2dXv6QIn
The All-Star center added he "could have said a lot of stuff" but "did whatever I thought was good to do as a teammate."
As Simmons was engaged in his standoff with the Sixers, Embiid's feelings toward the 6'11" playmaker changed. He said he was "disappointed" about the situation during the team's media day and was even blunter a week later:
As the cliche goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Embiid didn't need to include any caption with the image he shared on social media immediately after the Sixers traded Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets:
Still, Embiid described Simmons as a "great player" who will help the Nets reach another level.
Naturally the 7-footer also discussed Philadelphia's newest star, James Harden, whom he called "one of the best scorers of all time."
"We can accomplish something big," Embiid said. "We already have a great system in place. When you add James, it takes you to another level."
Harden has yet to suit up for the Sixers because of a lingering hamstring issue. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey seemed to tease his forthcoming debut in Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA All-Star Game 2022: Stephen Curry Wins MVP as Team LeBron Beats Team Durant
Feb 21, 2022
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, right, shoots for three as Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant defends during the second half of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Team LeBron dynasty continues.
Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 163-160 in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. LeBron James is now 5-0 as a captain in the All-Star Game since the format changed to two captains selecting their teams from a player pool.
The King can thank Stephen Curry for the latest victory, as the Golden State Warriors guard put on an absolute show on the way to 50 points behind 16 made three-pointers for the game's MVP.
Still, it was LeBron who fittingly hit the game-winning shot.
James' team defeated Kevin Durant's squad last year as well. The King also has two victories over Giannis Antetokounmpo and one win over Curry in previous editions of the All-Star Game when the Milwaukee Bucks and Warriors stars were captains.
Notable Player Stats
Stephen Curry, Team LeBron: 50 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK, 16-of-27 3PT
The teams were playing for more than just bragging rights with Team LeBron suiting up for the Kent State I Promise Scholars Program and Team Durant playing for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
Each of the first three quarters started with a 0-0 score, and the winner of that quarter earned $100,000 for its organization. The winning team also earned an additional $150,000 on top of the $150,000 that went to each organization at the start of the game.
The fourth quarter was different, though, with the game clock turned off and a final target score of 24 points more than the leading team's cumulative score to honor Kobe Bryant. Whichever team reached the target score was the game-winner.
LeBron's side earned the first $100,000 with a 47-45 victory in the first quarter behind a combination of Curry three-pointers, Giannis dunks, Nikola Jokic assists and Luka Doncic triples.
It was enough to outlast Joel Embiid pouring in the points, a 360 dunk from Zach LaVine, a monster jam from Ja Morant and Devin Booker getting into the lane for Team Durant.
The pressure was on Team Durant to win for charity in the second quarter, and that task got all the more difficult when Curry caught fire. He was draining shots from well beyond the arc and even drilled four in a row at one point on his way to six triples in the quarter alone and a record eight three-pointers in the half.
Darius Garland also got hot in front of the home fans, but Team Durant responded with Booker going to work, Morant flying through the air, LaMelo Ball doing a little bit of everything, Trae Young dishing out assists and Embiid maintaining the momentum on the way to a 49-46 second-quarter win.
From there, the long NBA 75th Anniversary Team celebration at halftime did nothing to cool off Curry.
The Warriors star went into takeover mode in the third quarter with rainbow three after rainbow three. He even attempted a half-court shot as the ultimate heat check after setting the NBA record for triples in a single All-Star Game.
Yet Embiid carried Team Durant for extended stretches during the third quarter to weather the Curry storm. Throw in some late plays from Ball, and Team Durant earned a tie and split the charity money in the quarter even with Curry and Antetokounmpo dominating.
A tie also meant Team Durant was ahead by a single point heading to the fourth quarter and the Elam Ending with the target score of 163. The intensity was immediately dialed up as Curry continued to launch from deep, Antetokounmpo swatted Bucks teammate Khris Middleton and Embiid started to enforce his will on the low blocks.
Curry actually went cold for a stretch, but DeMar DeRozan hit a mid-range jumper to pull within two points of the target score.
From there, LaVine dunked and hit a three to make it 161-160, but James did what he's done so many times in Cleveland and hit the biggest shot of the game to win it.
Joel Embiid on MVP Race: 'The Play Speaks for Itself...And I Don't Plan on Stopping'
Feb 19, 2022
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 17: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to an officials call during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 17, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
said Saturday his performance throughout the 2021-22 NBA season
warrants strong consideration for the MVP Award.
"The play speaks for itself ... and I
don't plan on stopping," Embiid told reporters ahead of his
appearance Sunday in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
The MVP is still very much up for grabs
at the All-Star break.
Embiid is a top contender alongside
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who've combined to win the award each of the
past three years. The Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul and Golden State
Warriors' Stephen Curry are also in the mix.
It's hard to argue against the Sixers'
superstar as he's carried Philly to a 35-23 record, which ranks third
in the Eastern Conference, despite playing the entire first half of
the season without Ben Simmons, who opted to remain sidelined while
focusing on his mental health amid frustrations with the franchise.
Simmons was ultimately traded to the
Brooklyn Nets ahead of the deadline earlier this month as a part of a
blockbuster deal that brought James Harden to the 76ers, so some support is on the way for Embiid once Harden recovers from a
hamstring injury.
The Sixers center leads the NBA in
scoring at 29.6 points per game to go along with averages of 11.2
rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 blocks while shooting 49.5 percent from
the field across 46 games. He's also knocking down a career-high 1.3
threes per contest.
Last month, Embiid told TNT's Ernie
Johnson he's embraced his crucial role for the 76ers.
"To be the MVP, you know my focus
is on winning," he said. "And obviously, I'm asked to be
our best defensive player, offensive player and playmaker—and I
love it."
Much the same could be said about Jokic
and Antetokounmpo, which sets the stage for an MVP race that could go
right down to the wire.
The arrival of Harden adds a variable
to Embiid's case since it's putting another high-end player in the
lineup to take some pressure off the five-time All-Star. So, while it
improves the Sixers' chances of chasing down a title, it could hurt
his MVP hopes.
That's a trade-off the standout center
is probably willing to accept.
Joel Embiid Drops 42, Giannis Posts 32 as 76ers Outlast Bucks in Thriller
Feb 18, 2022
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
In a game that could have playoff implications, the Philadelphia 76ers walked away 123-120 winners over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Entering the game, the Bucks and Sixers were third and fifth, respectively, in the Eastern Conference and separated by just one game.
The postseason is still a few months off, but this result could prove beneficial for Philadelphia since the margin between the teams might be slim when the seeding is finalized. Their season series is now split, with the rubber match to come March 29.
For Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, the way in which Joel Embiid dominated inside could be a foreboding sign. Embiid had his ninth 40-point game of the season.
This is @sixers@JoelEmbiid's league-leading ninth game this season with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.
They're the second-most ever in a season by a 76er behind HOFer Wilt Chamberlain's 18 in 1965-66.
Joel Embiid, C, 76ers: 42 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal
Tyrese Maxey, PG, 76ers: 19 points, two rebounds, four assists
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Bucks: 32 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, one block
Jrue Holiday, PG, Bucks: 24 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal
Sixers Turn Tide with Second-Quarter Blitz
With 4:56 left in the first half, the Bucks led by 12 points, 53-41. The Sixers then outscored Milwaukee 28-8 over the remainder of the quarter to jump ahead 69-61 at halftime.
Furkan Korkmaz capped off the offensive outburst with a putback at the buzzer.
The comeback was a stark contrast from Philly's last game, a 48-point loss at the hands of the Boston Celtics.
Embiid played to type and looked every bit like a front-runner for MVP. Without Tyrese Maxey, though, this might have been another defeat. The 6'2" guard provided much needed support for Embiid, which was the difference in the second quarter when the Sixers started turning things around.
Just an absolute clinic from Embiid and Maxey to end that half.
Great final 5 minutes of the half for the Sixers. Outscored the Bucks 28-8 to take a 69-61 lead at the break. I can't wait to see how much Maxey improves as a scorer with Harden on the squad.
Imagine how unstoppable the 7'0" center will be if that becomes a regular tool in his arsenal.
As much as the Sixers have achieved to this point—and despite the questions over how head coach Doc Rivers will seamlessly fit him into the offense—this game might have been a reminder of why Harden's presence will be so vital.
Once Philadelphia fell behind in the fourth, there was only so much the offense could run through Embiid because of how the Bucks were defending him. Having Harden as an option will clearly add a different dimension to the Sixers' attack.
Balanced Bucks Can't Hang on Late
Although Milwaukee didn't get a ton of scoring output from its bench, all five of the Bucks' starters scored at least 17 points.
Not surprisingly, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday led the way. The contributions of Bobby Portis and Jordan Nwora were just as valuable as they helped ease the pressure on the team's top stars.
Once the fourth quarter arrived, though, it was often down to Antetokounmpo and Holiday to deliver in the biggest moments.
With Philly clinging to a three-point lead with 7:21 on the clock, Tobias Harris was all too happy to bait Giannis into taking a three-pointer. The two-time MVP made Harris regret that decision.
But the Bucks couldn't stop Embiid forever, and they committed a pair of turnovers on back-to-back possessions when they were in a position to at least tie the game.
What's Next?
The Bucks and Sixers are both heading into the All-Star break. Philadelphia will return to action Feb. 25 on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Milwaukee will host the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 26.
Joel Embiid Leads Nikola Jokic for 2022 NBA MVP in Latest ESPN Straw Poll
Feb 17, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 15: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during a game against the Boston Celtics on February 15, 2022 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
It's looking increasingly like a two-man race for the 2021-22 NBA MVP.
Joel Embiid narrowly leads Nikola Jokic in the latest voter straw poll taken by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, earning 45 first-place votes to Jokic's 43. Embiid holds a 35-point lead overall, with Giannis Antetokounmpo coming in a distant third place.
ESPN NBA MVP Voting Straw Poll 1. Joel Embiid 2. Nikola Jokic 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo 4. Stephen Curry 5. Chris Paul
The two big men finished 1-2 in MVP voting last season, with Jokic becoming the first Denver Nuggets player to win the NBA's top individual honor.
Embiid was arguably the favorite at the All-Star break last season before falling behind Jokic because of injury issues. He has played 45 of the Sixers' 57 games this season, averaging 29.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
The Sixers navigated the season-long controversy surrounding Ben Simmons to sit 34-23 heading into Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. With the Simmons situation finally sorted and James Harden in place, the burden should be lessened on Embiid for the stretch run.
Jokic continues to wow every night as perhaps the most offensively skilled big man in NBA history. He's putting up 26.0 points, 13.8 points and 7.9 assists a night while being a consistent three-point shooter and keeping the Nuggets afloat despite Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. being out of the lineup with injuries.
Nearly every advancedmetricfavorsJokic, but metrics tend to do a poor job of quantifying non-statistical defensive impact—an area where Embiid is head and shoulders above his counterpart. Embiid acts as a fulcrum of the Sixers defense, thwarting opponents at the rim with his combination of size and stellar instincts.
Jokic is a vastly improved defensive player but still nowhere near the caliber of Embiid.
Antetokounmpo, Curry and Paul were the only other players to receive first-place votes. Curry raced out to an early-season lead in polling but has fallen behind amid the most prolonged shooting slump of his NBA career.
5 Biggest Questions We (and Execs) Have About Ben Simmons in Brooklyn
Feb 16, 2022
Even Ben Simmons' harshest critics can't deny his talent, but as we've seen before, talent alone doesn't make for an ideal fit.
We saw that play out spectacularly with Simmons and his old team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
His fit with the Sixers by all accounts had run its course. Now with a new team, the 25-year-old will try to do what he couldn't in Philly: fit in while providing whatever is necessary to win an NBA title.
He joins a Brooklyn Nets team that began the season in a title-or-bust mentality. Despite losses in 11 of their last 12 games, that mindset hasn't changed.
The Nets are led by a pair of perennial All-Stars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, both of whom have won titles with other teams. Durant and Irving's focus in coming to Brooklyn was to add another championship to their already impressive Hall of Fame-worthy legacies, and they expect their next-best teammate, Simmons, to do his part in making that happen.
That means not just showing up occasionally in the fourth quarter but actually making plays down the stretch. Layups, open jumpers, defensive stops—anything needed to secure wins.
Bleacher Report spoke off the record with executives and scouts around the league to figure out what Simmons can expect in Brooklyn and what the Nets can expect from him.
1. Does the Pressure Increase for Simmons?
"You would think with KD and Kyrie, there's less pressure on him," a league executive said. "But the truth is, there's actually more pressure because all that franchise cares about is winning a title. And we all know, winning is a lot harder to do in this league than playing well. How is he going to handle that pressure to win? Because it's a lot greater now than it was in Philly."
But when it comes to how well Simmons fits with the Nets, playing well won't be enough.
While there is a win-now mentality with Brooklyn, the club didn't make this deal for short-term success.
Simmons' contract calls for him to make $33 million this season, with another $113.7 million owed to him over the next three seasons.
With that investment comes more pressure to perform, which has the potential to only add to the mental health challenges he is working through.
2. Will He Be a Major Upgrade Defensively?
Brooklyn will get defensive relief at the perfect time—rock bottom. The Nets' defensive rating this season (111.0) ranks 19th in the NBA. During their last 10 games, their defensive rating of 117.3 ranks 26th in the league.
Even with the long All-Star layoff, the Nets know at a minimum their defense will be significantly better with Simmons.
The 2018 Rookie of the Year has been a member of the NBA's All-Defensive first team the last two seasons. At 6'11", he has the size to defend all five positions, which is extremely valuable in a league where every team runs a ton of pick-and-rolls.
"What you have to love about Ben's defense is that he's elite on and off the ball," a Western Conference scout said. "He's one of the few guys in this league who can guard all five positions effectively."
3. Will He Have a Clearly Defined Role?
While in Philly, Simmons' game seemed as though it had no limits. He was a basketball unicorn, with his size, strength and court vision establishing him as one of the best in the NBA.
That success was both a blessing and a burden to Simmons and the Sixers. Like all teams striving toward greatness, one of the keys to success is having an orderly leadership process.
But for years, far too often it wasn't clear whether Simmons or Embiid was leading the team.
And as much as both players repeatedly told the media that it did not matter in those early days, it absolutely did.
"It's unfortunate that I guess having his own team and being a star was more important," said Embiid, who still won't even say Simmons' name publicly.
Here's the thing: Brooklyn is not Simmons' team. He's further down the pecking order now than he was in Philly.
But that's not a negative when you consider the health benefits for him in not having the weight of a franchise on his shoulders.
Because of that, league executives believe the Nets will try to utilize Simmons in different ways than what we saw in Philadelphia, including more as a "smallish-ball" power forward or center.
"He gives them some lineup options that you can see, could cause some serious lineup problems for teams," an Eastern Conference scout said. "Forcing other teams to adjust…I can see that happening a lot."
4. Will He Be a Better Fit Than Harden?
Because of injuries, illnesses and Kyrie Irving's refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19, we'll never know how good Brooklyn's Big Three could have been.
Most executives we spoke with agree that Harden is a better player than Simmons, but they all believe Simmons is a better fit for Brooklyn.
"Ben has next-level court vision," an Eastern Conference executive said. "Putting him on the floor with two of the best scorers in the game…Brooklyn's offense is going to be a problem for a lot of teams, more than they are now, when healthy of course."
Durant and Irving are at their best when they have the ball. Ditto for Harden, which only added time to figure out how to play well with one another.
That's not going to be an issue with Simmons. He's one of the NBA's best passers and will surely look to do more of that in Brooklyn.
In addition to Durant and Irving, Simmons will also be looking to get the ball into the hands of Seth Curry and Patty Mills, who are having career seasons scoring the ball.
Both will be targets for Simmons, especially in transition.
Durant and head coach Steve Nash have made no secret about wanting the Nets to play with more pace, something that is a strength of Simmons' game.
For this new dynamic to work out for Simmons, his comfort zone will be tested at some point. Brooklyn will need him to score in ways that don't involve layups or dunks. And he'll have to do it in late-game situations, which poses a bit of a conundrum for the Nets.
There's little doubt they want Simmons on the floor in the game's closing moments. But the struggles in late-game situations we saw in Philadelphia, along with his untrustworthy free-throw shooting (career 59.7 percent), create a level of concern.
"That's going to be where Steve Nash and his staff are really going to have their hands full," the Eastern Conference scout said. "You need his defense down the stretch, obviously. But how much do you keep the ball in his hands? And do you have to play the sub-in, sub-out game?"
Brooklyn doesn't have to worry about that with Durant and Irving, who have proved their worth as clutch players in the past.
This season, Durant is ranked fifth in the NBA in points scored (3.9) during clutch situations. Irving, who has appeared in just seven "clutch" games this season, ranks 50th with 2.1 points per game. Last season, he ranked eighth in clutch points (3.3) among those who appeared in at least as many clutch games (29) as he did.
They have the potential to provide the kind of lesson that Simmons will have no choice but to be exposed to; the kind of lesson that has career-defining potential for a player who has a fresh start on a still-promising career.
