On April 18th, the 76ers clinched a victory over the Heat in the play-in game. Butler left the game due to injury, with no set timetable for his return. Frenchman Nicolas Batum, acquired from the Clippers, stepped up at crucial moments, showcasing his skills and helping Embiid and the 76ers secure a playoff spot as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers, with their original strength placing them among the top three in the East, found themselves in the play-in game due to Embiid’s prolonged absence, yet their potential to reach the Finals remains intact.
Batum was one of the assets the 76ers received in exchange for trading Harden to the Clippers. Considering Harden’s decline in performance with the Clippers and the stronger performances of Embiid and Maxey for the 76ers this season without him, it’s widely regarded that the 76ers’ decision to part ways with Harden was a wise one.
Following the 76ers’ win over the Heat to advance to the playoffs, some pundits took jabs at Harden. In the United States, Skip Bayless, known for his criticism of LeBron James, directed his criticism towards Harden this time, expressing surprise at the 76ers’ second-half performance and Batum’s leadership. Without Harden, the 76ers are stronger.
In China, media personality Yang Yi also commented on Harden and the 76ers. Yang Yi posted on social media, highlighting Nicolas Batum’s crucial plays, including six three-pointers and a block on Herro, which helped the 76ers narrowly defeat the Heat. As the 76ers’ biggest asset in the Harden trade, this time it’s truly a case of “no regrets in Harden’s departure.” “No regrets in Harden’s departure” is a meme referring to Harden’s fans claiming he owes nothing to his former teams every time he leaves, which isn’t necessarily true.
