Shaquille O'Neal sceptical over James Harden’s move to LA Clippers - 'If they don't win a championship, it's a bust'
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Updated 01/11/2023 at 15:24 GMT
Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley debated the merits of James Harden's move from the Philadelphia 76ers to the LA Clippers, with both questioning how he will be used in the team. Shaq questioned the amount given up for a player to be a fourth option, coming into a side that already has Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. Barkley also discussed how Tobias Harris will benefit.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on prior to game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Penns
Image credit: Getty Images
Shaquille O'Neal is sceptical about James Harden’s move from the Philadelphia 76ers to the LA Clippers, saying "if they don't win a championship, it's a bust."
Harden’s trade request to the Clippers was approved on Monday evening, in a deal that saw he, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev move to LA, while Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum and KJ Martin moved in the opposite direction.
O'Neal questioned the Clippers’ motives for paying Harden's large contract only for him to be the fourth option, with two All-Stars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, alongside former MVP Russell Westbrook, already on the roster.
“He’s another big-name guy, and the Clippers have been very iffy for the last four or five years,” O'Neal said on TNT Sports.
“We don't know who's going to be there and who's not going to be there.
“But if they don't win the championship, it's not going to work. They may win some games, but players of this calibre like Russell [Westbrook] and James [Harden] would like to have a Championship under their belt.
“On paper, it looks good, but I don't know which Harden is going to show up or which Harden they want to show up? Do they want the scoring Harden or one that's going to be a facilitator?
“All of these guys on TV talk about what option he's going to be, and right now, he's the fourth option. We've never seen a fourth-option James Harden.
“He's the kind of guy that puts it between his legs, controls the ball and shoots. How are they going to use him? We're going to have to sit back and see how it works, but if they don't win a championship, it's a bust.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Charles Barkley, who believes that 76ers forward Tobias Harris will benefit from Harden’s departure to the Clippers.
“I don't think either of those guys [Harden and Westbrook] can play without the ball,” he explained.
“James has been a dribbler his entire life and Russ has proven that he struggles when he tries to play off the ball, because he's not a great shooter, so it's going to be fascinating to watch.
“The biggest beneficiary of this situation is Tobias Harris. Tobias is a good player, but you don't get four balls. Now he goes to the third spot. You can have three guys that can score, but you can't have four.”
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