James Harden is in LeBron James‘ shoes tonight. Not only does he have the chance to eliminate his opponents in the playoffs, but also, he has the same critique breathing down his neck as well. For the longest time, Skip Bayless has gone after LeBron and his ‘clutch gene’ for no apparent reason. With the Sixers hosting the Celtics for a potential closeout game, Harden has had a rough start, and no one is more vocal about it than the Fox Sports analyst.
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Harden has been hot and cold in this series. He started with a 45-point Game 1, followed by 12 and 16 in Games 2 and 3. James then went off for 42 in Game 4, only to be held down to 17 in Game 5. Tonight, he just has 6 points so far on 3-10 shooting, going 0-4 from the floor. On top of that, he has 4 turnovers and 2 fouls as well.
Skip Bayless is watching the game, just like us, and he cannot believe what he’s seeing. He decided to call out Harden while referencing his past failures.
Skip Bayless critiques James Harden for slow start
Ever since the start of the season, Bayless liked what Joel Embiid was doing and was rooting for him as the MVP. He decided to root for the Sixers as the playoffs rolled closer to make it out of the East. Not many believed him initially, but with the Bucks out, and the Sixers holding the Celtics on the verge of elimination, Bayless might end up being right.
With one win separating the Sixers and their first Conference Finals since 2001, Game 6 in Philly is crucial. Knowing the same, Skip expected a big night from Embiid. He already let it be known that he doesn’t trust James Harden in a closeout game. However, once the game started, he reiterated how James is having his ‘infamous’ playoff performances.
Skip took it to Twitter right off the gates.
James Harden is having one those playoff games he’s so infamous for.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 12, 2023
Just as I said I feared: James Harden, who scored 45 and 42 in previous games in this series, went 0-4 in the first quarter, with an opening turnover, and scored 0 points.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 12, 2023
Well, it’s too early to say how the game will turn out to be, but I really hope James proves Skip wrong. He’s been criticized a lot recently for no fault of his own. It’s about time he gets some of the respect back.
Skip has questioned LeBron James’ ‘clutch gene’ countless time
Yesterday, as the Lakers failed to close out the Warriors, Skip went after LeBron James.
LeBron’s defense tonight has been … embarrassing.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023
This is still one of his nicer tweets. Over time, he has attacked Bron for missing the ‘clutch gene’ to help his team over the line.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO, LEBRON. NOT AGAIN. YOU FAILED TO CLOSE AGAIN. ANOTHER MISSED GAME-WINNER, AN AWKWARD THREE WHEN YOU COULD’VE DRIVEN IT AND MADE JUST ONE FREE THROW TO WIN. HAVE SOME GUTS! NO CLUTCH GENE.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 14, 2022
LORD HAVE MERCY: LeBron ends the Lakers’ biggest game of the year with an air ball. LeBron fails to close yet another game begging to be closed. LeBron couldn’t close a car door. No clutch gene.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 2, 2022
Hopefully, Skip will be able to look past his hate one day and appreciate greatness while he can.