‘James Harden is not beating the Lakers’: Stephen A Smith gives rationale for Rockets star to move to Nets

James Harden is the subject of the hottest trade rumor of the NBA offseason. Stephen A Smith gave his reasons as to why Harden would angle for a move to the Nets.

The Houston Rockets MVP, along with Russell Westbrook, have both put in trade requests with their front office. It became apparent in the playoffs last year that their brand of basketball had run its course. The inability of Westbrook to knock down open 3-pointers was a killer blow to their offense.

Also Read: ‘Westbrook is blocking James Harden trade’: Rockets want to trade Westbrook before shopping The Beard

Stephen A Smith explains why James Harden is seeking a move to the Brooklyn Nets

Speaking about the James Harden situation on yesterday’s edition of First Take, Stephen A Smith argued that the Nets are his best chance at a title:

“If you’re James Harden, you need to want to go to Brooklyn for one reason above all else. Your shot at the title. It ain’t in Houston. You got no shot; they’re not beating the Lakers, they’re not beating the Clippers, they probably wouldn’t beat Denver or Dallas.”

“Even though Philadelphia would be a possibility and an option, they’re still relatively young at certain positions. You’re James Harden, I think with what the Lakers have put together in terms of Anthony Davis expected to re-sign, LeBron still being there, Morris still being there and there you acquired Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell and Schroder.”

“The bottom line is when you look at the Los Angeles Lakers, they are better than they were when they won the championship last month. It’s just that simple and when you look at it from that perspective, what’s your best shot to go after them? To assemble a Big 3, a Kyrie and KD with James Harden.”

Stephen A’s opinions are borne out by the evidence: the Lakers are a defensive juggernaut. Their defense was the major reason why they could put so many games in the playoffs to bed.

For any team to beat them, they would have to do it by outshooting them. A  trio of KD, Kyrie Irving and Harden would go a long way towards achieving that.