How The Sixers Got BETTER Without James Harden!

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The Sixers have been pretty excellent since trading away Harden... So how's that work?
#basketball #commentary #nba
0:00 intro
0:49 RAYCON
2:14 HARDEN VS MAXEY
5:44 EMBIID'S BETTER
8:14 SYNOPSIS (SO FAR)
8:44 COACH NURSE
9:30 PLAYMAKING THEORY
11:50 SIXERS CONTENDER STATUS
12:20 THE FUTURE

[@rustybuckets]

GO TO BUYRAYCON.COM/RUSTY TO GET 20-50% OFF SITEWIDE! Thank you to Raycon for sponsoring this video!

[@Championshiporbust]

@rustybuckets

[@TheShapeshifter]

I think the change of Doc Rivers to Nick Nurse was honestly more impactful than the removal of James Harden

[@Chillehhhh]

10000000%

[@whoisthis4]

If sixers kept Doc it would be the same offense but it would just be ran with Maxey running the pick and roll

[@bradywright0408]

Nurse has them running an actual offense a lot of the time now instead of Doc just going “ah well, just get the ball to James and Joel and they’ll figure something out”

[@MrMancreatedgod]

Yessir op

[@hunterXhamster]

And just like that this video is meaningless

[@BrandonWhatTheF]

"Subtracting" Ben Simmons was their best move yet!

[@TheBabyTort]

Haven’t got any farther without him

[@BrandonWhatTheF]

@@TheBabyTort shit man, if I was a GM I'd rather send 4 dudes out on the court rather than a 5 man team with Ben Simmons🤣

[@DonKey496]

​@@BrandonWhatTheF 2nd round exit with or without Simmons.

[@joselinawilliams8603]

U mean Bum Simmons

[@momoneylessproblems9183]

All Philly had to do to truly become a contender was A) trade a point guard who can't shoot beyond five feet but is also scared of shooting layups to avoid going to the FT line B) trade the biggest diva in basketball history who is the hallmark of putting up empty stats and choking in the playoffs when it matters most (oh and frequenting strip clubs instead of hitting the gym) and C) fire a coach whose blown more playoff series leads than any other coach in NBA history. Not rocket science

[@urbaindelva7869]

"Empty stats" implies that Harden put up numbers that didn't lead translate to winning, which is false. It didn't translate to deep postseason success, but it he's never put up empty stats once.

[@davidlee4985]

trade embiid lol. harden literally led the sixers only 8 times in the regular season yet carried the sixers bumass team and helped not get swept with joel bumbiid playing. 😂😂😂😂

[@nbarealtalker]

NN is also an under-appreciated coach, even if he’s recognized as a high end coach in the league. The Raps wouldn’t have won their chip without him.

[@richborn6700]

Id have loved to see him go to Milwaukee but Philly is a good choice with him. He might even be able to Nurse Embiids image around the league after whining his way to an MVP

[@jerisonpoe9885]

Last time I was this early Rusty had a Zach Lavine highlight intro

[@tribalypredisposed]

They got some valuable wing 3 and D guys, but mostly they are really good now because no Doc, no Simmons, and no Harden.

[@Njrocks00]

Now all they have to do is get rid of the terrible Tobias contract

[@aubreyrogers5264]

@@Njrocks00Tobias has actually been pretty good for them this year. And there’s not much they’d get in return for him that would improve them

[@donaiquintanilla6111]

That “maxey-mizing” joke had me throwing tomatoes at my phone.

[@eddsworldlover]

NBA fans severely underrate the impact of good coaching vs bad coaching unless its the glaringly obvious ones like going from Del Harris to Phil Jackson.

[@erstimus5439]

This is true; most NBA fans don’t deeply understand, why and what plays and schemes are run and how a they interact a particular player’s and team’s strengths and weaknesses, instead attributing it to individual players.

[@tribalypredisposed]

Preach. So many players get rated unfairly because they have a crap coach.

[@crystalizedExposed]

@@tribalypredisposed or they get bashed for not averaging more points when they are just running the plays their coach gives them on good efficiency

[@jonathansykes4986]

Phil Jackson got all his rings from top 10 players. Pretty easy to be a great coach when you're coaching top 10 all time talent. (See Steve Kerr for further proof of this).

[@MalcolmWooten]

@@jonathansykes4986 That argument can be made for bad coaches. Doc Rivers coached many all time players and only has 2 finals appearances winning only once

[@timstar28]

We finally seem to have a little heart on this team. That and wings have been my biggest complaint for years, and at least for now, it seems like we improved with both. But also, as a 6er fan, I know to not get too hopeful yet lol. And I agree, I was so happy Hardem asked out. I was pissed they were trying to convince him to stay. Made no sense to me.

[@natedogg890]

It's like seeing a buddy get out of a toxic relationship and really thrive ❤

[@rmtgoat7766]

Who knew trading away the 2 most negative stars in the NBA in a row would make you better. Also Maxey is a dawg

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

Nurse has been the biggest factor. Hes not only unlocked Maxey and Embiid but players like Tobias Harris and other role players who were always held back by Rivers incompetent system

[@richborn6700]

Nick Nurse is going to be pivotal in Maxeys development in the next couple seasons. Embiid is talented, but also aging and injury prone. Slowly building up Maxey and picking the right pieces around him is important. Its kinda like Minnesota balancing the time tables of both Edwards growth and Towns prime years to maximize their window

[@CarnagexSena]

I honestly have no idea how people can think that a team with an MVP candidate is going to be a play-in team. If you have Joel on your team you're always going to be a top 4 seed.

[@benserkowski4663]

Doesn’t matter playoffs are what matter

[@user-ou5gq6do3u]

It isn’t just addition by subtraction they got good role players that have been helping

[@bradywright0408]

Yeah Batum has been pretty good and Covington has been solid too

[@GracelessTarnished]

Removing Hardhead is a bonus to any team.

[@jonathansykes4986]

Harden won 2 games for them in the playoffs in 1 series. Embiid cried his way to an undeserved MVP.

[@TechMyLifeVideo]

This trade was like that thing in Green Mile, the Harden cancer was sucked out of the 76ers and into the Clippers.

[@jonathansykes4986]

yeah cause the clippers did not suffer from cancer before Harden went there... the entire organization is cancer from the start. from their racist ass original owner to the new bald-headed incompetent fool who lucked his way into billions.

[@Superhero18]

As a Sixers fan, I have to step up to the defense of Tyrese Maxey when you say that the playmaking is just "okay"(especially in the context of not liking 10+ dimes). If Maxey's playmaking is just okay, are we prepared to have that same conversation about Ja Morant? His APG might surprise you. Derrick Rose's MVP season wasn't exactly Jason Kidd-esque passing wise either. Maxey's playmaking has been excellent for the most part of the year. He's been solid at throwing skip passes to shooters(the few we have, anyway). And he's had a great connection with Joel Embiid in the two man game, and it's one of the best two man games in all of basketball this year. His 3-to-1 AST/TO ratio is his super power, as he is not only able to make these plays as a passer but he's also capable of taking care of the ball even with higher usage. I can't speak for the rest of the NBA community(not that said community matters too much) but here in Sixers Nation, Maxey is our lead guard and we're expected to give him a max. We're quite satisfied with his playmaking.

[@BOWEASE1]

Thing is everyone will be comparing it to Hardens 10 ast season. Harden is a gifted passer who did try his best to be that guy at the expense of scoring and finding his rhythm but maxey is the best of both worlds. I'll take Maxeys assist numbers over Hardens turnovers.

[@xYajji]

I’ve been waiting on this one

[@bryinmoore]

That Spurs shirt goes crazy

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

I think Doc wasn’t going to take a team anywhere. Simmons is gone and Harden is gone. The “team” seems to be emerging without the divas. I also think Nurse can get the best out of Embiid.

[@oli551000]

Why do you not make deep dives anymore😢 Imo that's when you're at your best and it's THE thing that you have that other NBA youtubers don't💪🏿💪🏿

[@milesbrown8055]

I always listen to Rusty Buckets with my Raycon Everyday Earbuds 😤

[@drevil2675]

This is called Patrick Ewing effect .

[@FantusyFailure]

I wonder if this is going to be the end of the lead guard "engine player" (Nash, Harden, Westbrook) why run an "engine" through a guard when players like Jokic exist.

[@teffry8862]

Sixers genuinely scare me. This is the year to control the East and try to make a push for a top 2 seed

[@verward]

The sixers signing kawhi would be absolutely hilarious.

[@Nitty145]

"Kawhi would be hilarious"🤣

[@connorgarrison6275]

It's nuclear nurse. Embiid just needs cutters to cut, and he will make plays. If not he just needs to shoot or draw a foul, which is just as efficient as a covington, Melton, or Batur layup

[@stephtheone1398]

Wait until season progresses then make an analysis if they really got better or not

[@caponebd7941]

The Sixers have become a much more enjoyable team to watch. The team looks so much more connected on both ends of the floor.

[@shaun5916]

Never going to be blow it up bad, got the MVP, maxi was frequently commented on as being better than james last season & Harris is solid

[@Vasco_Alexandre]

I want to see the record after 20/30 games for now is a short sample size, just a losing streak of 2/3 games and they go from 9-3 to 9-6…

[@jonahfalcon1970]

Well, they got 300 pounds lighter, first off...

[@upthereds1892]

Tyrese Maxey went the same high school as my dad

[@fpl_djhammer]

pennies on the dollar? the value Philly got back in the trade was more like 90 pennies to the dollar on current value 😂 but give it another 3-5 years and those 90 pennies will become $3

[@thelegendoof8744]

Update please

[@jonathansykes4986]

Okay but Jokic averaged 9.2 assists last year and won the title without too much issue. Nice parameters set at 10 assists. Also if we want to set it to just reaching the finals: Stockton did it twice with over 10 assists. Jason Kidd did it with 9.2 assists (led the league) in 2002-03. James Harden lost to the KD warriors in 2016-17 and led the league in assists. Just saying "big assists numbers" bad for team is absurd.

[@eurofam7475]

But most of the time those players (except Jokić) playmaking aren’t that impactful because Bron and Magic are that damn talented to the point that they’re like GOAT status.

[@One4prez]

He’s not saying big assist numbers is the problem. He’s saying relying on one guy to do most if not all the playmaking is the problem. Having only one guy with high assist numbers usually reflects that. To your point about Jokic: he had Jamal Murray with him, who averaged six assists, so he wasn’t the only major playmaker on the Nuggets. That actually reinforces Rusty’s claim if anything.

[@jonathansykes4986]

I am sorry, but that is wrong. Look at the past history of the NBA Finals from 1980 to today. Heck just look at post Jordan (1999-2023) and look who is in the finals and what team has won the finals. It is more reliant on having a top 5 player than not. How many teams have reached the finals without a top 5 player? off the top of my head, you got the pistons in back to back years in the early 00s and the miami heat in 2020 and 2023 and you could argue that Jimmy Butler is a top 5 player. @@One4prez

[@jonathansykes4986]

In 2009-10, the Boston Celtics reached the finals and lost in 7 games. Their "facilitator" Rajon Rondo averaged 9.8 assists that year. In 2001-02, The New Jersey Nets made the finals with Jason Kidd averaging 9.9 assists for the season. The next year, they repeated their visit and Jason Kidd averaged 8.9 assists for the season.

[@josephmckenney-barschall864]

Saying LeBron had 10 assists and won a title is misleading. He averaged 25 pts and 10 asists in the regular season, but he was closer to 27 and 8 in the post season.

[@stevenwhiters8928]

People thinking that was crazy. I seen 45-50 wins

[@jonathansykes4986]

Of the people who are in the top 10 of 3 pointers made, James harden has the 2nd lowest 3pt%. Lebron James has the lowest. If you expand it to the top 20 of 3 pointers made, James Harden has the 4th lowest 3pt%. Lebron James is still the lowest % out of the 20.

[@Handsomesal]

The archetype for Tyrese Maxey to emulate is Tony Parker. Maxey has an even higher ceiling because of his shooting. Imagine trying to stay in front of this guy all game and also having to stay connected as he flies around screens and dribble hand offs. I was convinced that Philly wasn't a finals contender even if they added another piece with the Harden trade draft capital. I'm not so sure anymore. We still haven't seen Embiid dominate in the playoffs. If that version shows up and Maxey continues to play at this level look out. Especially if they add another piece.

[@4lc4p0rn]

ive said it before, and ill say it again. harden is the best worst player ever. he's so good that he doesnt leave room for anyone else on the team, causing games to be 5v1. prime harden might be the GOAT with the ball in his hands, but he's also the WOAT without it. harden can make any bad team decent, but he will also make any good team worse.

[@shafiqhasrin8346]

Alright. Removing my like once I heard that Maxey-maximising line. You deserved to be pun-ished

[@shounakc509]

stop counting out the Heat they somehow look even better this season

[@henryzhao4622]

Why is EVERY body using this exact term

[@kenosabi]

Harden is a drama queen with his best years squarely behind him. It's only a matter of time before we start hearing rumblings from the Clips about some random drama with him at the center. How do we know? His track record. He does it everywhere. He will still put up points. He will still contribute. But eventually his BS will do what it does everywhere he goes.

[@SOURJDADDY]

Damn bros on the James harden payroll

[@izzyd3613]

They just got owned by there daddy Al horford

[@dequanadams8107]

Lmao I be back when embiid chokes in the 2nd round again like he was doing way before harden got there but lol keep believing 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Takadhun]

What made me happy off of this video is the fact that there was not a single LBJ poster in the background. Hahaha. Amazing!

[@ldking5132]

😂

[@Nine5Vader]

Still wont be winning a Chip with Embiids feeble mentality

[@nadyadontmiss]

mommy

[@iambarryallen]

Its obviously just the coach. Sixers have been stacked even without James. Everyone knows Doc sucks hes just a motivational speaker

[@sydguitar99]

Even without Harden, the Sixers should still be a top 3 seed bc the dude just won an MVP. He should be held to the same standards as Jokic and Giannis, also unless they can make ECF then it's time to trade Embiid. No more excuses

[@sydguitar99]

@@Kardu3 it's the weekend and you act like I'm lying. Keep making excuses for him bc that's not going to help win a ring

[@moneyman1113]

It’s sad slandering harden for clicks when they were awful the years before harden and nurse but blaming harden for a coach is sick business

[@ShquonHodge0627]

The sixers were a playoff seed (top 3) most years before harden got there and even when harden was there they got no further than the 2nd round...so the sixers werent "horrible" before harden and they were basically the same team with him in terms of playoff success...so i dont know why say harden made them elite as if the werent top 3 in the east before him...but they were lol tbh he didnt make as big of a difference as people make it sound team wise and playoff success wise

[@RiceDaddy07]

Are you sure Joker didn’t average more than 10 assists a game? He won the ring

[@JentalJens]

I totally agree, but isn't "Maxeymizing" opportunities synonymous with being a playmaker?

[@lanelesic]

People are real quick to point finger at Harden and blame him for everything that was bad in 76ers( and thats now bad in the Clippers. ) But in 76ers it was two players that were responsible for the process. It takes two to tango. And the second one is Embiid himself. So far its not evident, but mark my words when playoffs come you will see a similar story as always, but without Harden to blame.

[@markharrison6498]

Everyone gets better without James harden

[@KingOfThe850]

Maxey>Harden

[@TheKennyGM]

y'all youtubers saying the same sht the media says is hilarious

[@eliek2014]

No they networks are catching up