James Harden was held to just nine points in the 76ers’ Game 7 loss against the Celtics on Sunday, failing to register double-digit points for the second time this postseason.
His lackluster performance drew a scalding hot take from Stephen A. Smith, who held nothing back when ripping into Philadelphia’s star guard.
After the Sixers’ playoff exit, Smith gave Harden an earful, imploring the 33-year-old to shave his beard in order to better hide his identity.
“James Harden was so awful, so bad, he should actually shave his beard so he can hide his identity. That’s how bad he was. It was really, really bad. I say that in all seriousness. I’m not joking. I worked in Philadelphia for 17 years ... it would be difficult for him to walk the streets. You don’t do what you saw him do on Sunday afternoon in a Game 7,” said Smith during SportsCenter on Sunday night.
"James Harden was so awful, so bad, he should actually shave his beard so he can hide his identity. That's how bad he was. It was really, really bad. I say that in all seriousness."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 15, 2023
— Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/3YX7TfDiJs
“This performance right here turned a whole bunch of people off about James Harden,” Smith added.
Harden registered a -30 plus-minus during Sunday’s loss. His nine points were the fewest among Sixers’ starters, as he shot just 3-of-11 from the field and went 1-for-5 from three-point range.
His performance earned him plenty of criticism following the disappointing end to the season in Philadelphia, and Smith was certainly among the loudest of his detractors with his fiery rant.
