Retired NBA player Rasheed Wallace was known as a straight shooter throughout his 18-year career, and he recently gave his unbiased take on the rumored Kyrie Irving-James Harden backcourt for the Brooklyn Nets.
Like most fans and pundits, Sheed has doubts that the two ISO-heavy guards could find a way to co-exist, considering they play so much alike.
Wallace made his opinions known in a lengthy explanation on the WFAN’s Moose & Maggie show on Wednesday.
“I don’t think that would work,” he said of the potential Kyrie Irving-James Harden backcourt for the Nets, via USA Today.
“Because look at the two players. You got James Harden, we all know that he’s a scoring machine, instant offense. But, he demands to have the ball. He has to have the ball in his hands to be effective. It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen James Harden lined up in the corner, waiting for the ball to get to him for a three. You’re dealing with Kyrie, as well. Kyrie, of course, being the point guard that he is, he’s a little bit more of a facilitator than James Harden, I think. But, in my opinion, I don’t know if you can have both of them out there on the floor — because they need to have that ball in their hands too much to be effective.”
Rasheed Wallace, a four-time All-Star, added that Kevin Durant can still be effective with the two other superstars on board with the Nets, considering he has done that before with the Warriors.
“Of course, KD is KD. He don’t need the ball. Because he could come off a screen, he could get his own shot. So, he doesn’t necessarily have to dribble a gajillion times to try to get a layup or somewhat of an open jump shot,” Wallace furthered.
Rumors swirled that James Harden prefers the Nets as his destination of choice if the Rockets choose to trade him before the 2020-21 season. Those reports have died down a bit in recent days, as both sides allegedly already gave up on a potential deal. Houston reportedly wants to get a superstar in return for Harden, which would prevent Brooklyn from forming a Big 3 of their own.
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