"We thought he was a good guy, but it turns out he’s a double agent, he’s actually the bad guy" - Ric Bucher says James Harden is now the villain in the Philadelphia-Brooklyn rivalry
The rivalry between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers heated up earlier this season, but James Harden has made himself the face of it recently. Ric Bucher, an analyst for Fox Sports, believes that Harden is now the villain within the rivalry and even possibly a double agent.
Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid exchange words. 🍿🗣
https://t.co/5OQFx8NuQj
After the 76ers beat the Nets in Brooklyn earlier in the season, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid began trash-talking each other as they walked off the court. It was clear the two shared a heated battle on the court, one that would continue in subsequent games.
Now that Harden has been traded to the 76ers for Ben Simmons, who is hated by Sixers fans, it has only made the rivalry that much more severe.
Bucher appeared on “The Herd” to talk about the recent game between the Nets and 76ers. He called Harden the villain of the rivalry and even called him a double agent. He said:
“James Harden is now the villain, James Harden is now the guy who needs to prove that all of the things, he's a guy who's operating behind the scenes, we thought he was a good guy, but it turns out he's a double agent, he's actually the bad guy… In sports, we need to have that guy that everybody is rooting against. I'm just amazed by how quickly we've got this rivalry here.”
Harden and Simmons have quickly become key components of this rivalry. Both left due to drama, causing problems for the franchise, and most fans of the teams that they left no longer respect them. However, Harden played and played poorly, scoring only 11 points, while Simmons was booed in Philadelphia but sat on the bench while the Nets beat the 76ers 129-100.
Is is right to label James Harden as the villain?
This rivalry is very new between the Nets and 76ers but it is growing fast, with Harden in the eye of the storm. After being traded to Philly, Harden claimed the Sixers were always his number one trade destination, which rubbed Nets fans and players the wrong way.
James Harden tonight:
11 PTS
3-17 FG
5 AST
4 TOV
-30 +/-
Played like it was a playoff game. https://t.co/4h3JT3F1w3
Even though Simmons did not leave the Sixers on excellent terms either, Harden’s trade demand, which wasn't an actual trade demand, was more recent and fresher in NBA fans' minds. Harden's dismal performance against his former team, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists, shooting 18% from the field, did not help.
It does seem early to label Harden the villain in the Nets vs 76ers rivalry. However, the two teams could face off in the first round in the playoffs, which would be a great matchup and must-watch television.