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The Philadelphia 76ers made a bunch of noise and stole the headlines because the final grains of sand left the hourglass on the NBA commerce deadline. They acquired James Harden on February 10 from the Brooklyn Nets in change for disgruntled all-star Ben Simmons, capturing guard Seth Curry, heart Andre Drummond, and two future-protected first-round picks. The Sixers additionally acquired ahead Paul Millsap from Brooklyn within the deal.
Followers of each groups, and the remainder of the NBA for that matter, weighed in instantly and argued about who acquired the higher finish of the deal. Nationwide media members mentioned a litany of subjects associated to the commerce, whether or not it’s who received, who is best, was it a very good commerce for the Sixers, are the followers or group guilty for Simmons wanting to go away, we could possibly be right here all day. For the reason that commerce, Harden has the most effective promoting jersey within the NBA and the Sixers are the highest promoting crew, according to Fanatics. The purpose is, the Sixers had been within the headlines for everybody as one factor was clear: this commerce made waves.
I’ve all the time lived by this sports activities mindset: B.O.E – Baseball Over Every part. It’s my past love. So similar to any sports activities information, once I heard the information of the James Harden commerce, I had a thought: What mid-season commerce in latest Phillies historical past would Harden most be like for the Phillies? Let’s get into it.
Joe Blanton – 2008
On July 17, 2008 the Phillies acquired Joe Blanton in change for Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matthew Spencer.
Again in 2008, the Phillies had been making an attempt to follow-up a powerful 2007 season that broke their postseason drought with one other journey to the postseason. The Phils had been in first place from the start of June by means of the All-Star break. They made it recognized to different organizations that they needed to improve their pitching workers to be able to put much less strain on the bullpen. Through the break, they did simply that. Blanton could not have been the flashiest title traded that season (insert Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia), however the Phillies pulled the set off.
Blanton had a 4.69 ERA for the A’s previous to the commerce. These won’t bounce off the web page, particularly in comparison with his 4.10 profession ERA previous to that season. Clearly, James Harden is significantly better statistically than Joe Blanton. He had 5 straight seasons averaging 29 factors or larger, including three straight where he led the Association in scoring. This season has been a down yr for Harden statistically – he’s averaging the bottom factors per sport since he performed for Oklahoma Metropolis again in 2011-12. Could also be good numbers for some, however common to beneath common for his requirements – a Joe Blanton season if you’ll.
Blanton got here to Philadelphia and did precisely what the franchise was on the lookout for – stabilize the rotation and assist them on a deep post-season run. His 4.20 ERA the remainder of the best way for Philly was par for the course and never far off from his numbers with Oakland. However, he did go 4-0 throughout the common season in a Phillies uniform. During the post-season, Blanton went 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA and left his mark on Phillies and main league lore by hitting a homerun within the World Collection.
That homerun made me bounce out of my chair. I jokingly known as he would hit a homerun to my buddy moments earlier than, as Blanton had simply swung so laborious on the earlier pitch he almost fell over. He could go down because the final full-time pitcher to hit a homerun in the World Series if the common DH is adopted. His numbers could not have gotten drastically higher, however come crunch time he stepped up, left followers with an unforgettable second, and helped get the Phillies a World Collection ring – their first since 1980.
So, the query is: will Harden channel his interior Joe? Will we see the Beard proceed his “common” output (for him) whereas Embiid continues his dominant season, however then he steps up within the post-season? Perhaps he’ll even go away us with an unforgettable second on the most important stage. An epic deep buzzer beater maybe? Most significantly, if we use Joe and 2008 as a information, the Sixers would be the final crew standing, holding the Larry O’Brien trophy as champions.
Cliff Lee – 2009
On July 29, 2009 the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco in change for Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, Jason Knapp, and Jason Donald.
2009 was one other sturdy season for the Fightin’ Phils. Coming off a World Collection victory, expectations had been excessive they usually had a goal on their backs for the primary time in a very long time. Previous to buying Lee, the Phillies had been in first place from Could 30 up till the commerce was made, sporting a seven sport lead within the division – a lead they’d by no means relinquish. However with Brett Myers present process surgical procedure, Cole Hamels having a down yr by his glorious requirements, and Jamie Moyer having an ERA over 5.00, there was an apparent want for some extra rotation assist.
Lee confirmed up and made a right away impression. He was the reigning Cy Younger within the AL. His cool, calm, but silent confidence clicked with followers instantly. In his first begin for his new crew, Lee carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and completed with a complete-game 5–1 victory over the Giants. He completed the season with 12 begins for the Phils, together with three full video games. Lee went 7–4 with a 3.39 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 79.2 innings.
His impression really got here come playoff time. Lee had a 0.74 ERA by means of 24.1 innings in his first three postseason begins within the NLDS and NLCS mixed. He was completely dominant. The Phillies made it back to the Fall Classic. He continued that dominance in Sport 1 of the World Collection, outduelling former teammate CC Sabathia. Lee threw a whole sport whereas putting out 10 and strolling none – the primary time a pitcher had executed that in World Collection historical past – to place the Phillies up 1-0 within the collection. He additionally made two performs as nonchalant as might be.
He circled in Sport 5 and recorded one other victory, regardless of permitting 5 runs over seven innings. Finally the Phillies fell in need of the repeat, making it oh so shut.
So, will the Sixers get the dominant James Harden? Will he return to his earlier kind and proceed to get higher and higher down the stretch earlier than going nuts within the playoffs? Followers is likely to be eager for Lee-like outcomes, however whether it is Championship you need – it’s possible you’ll fall simply brief like Lee and the Phils in ’09.
Kyle Gibson & Ian Kennedy – 2021
On July 30, 2021 the Phillies acquired Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy, and Hans Crouse in change for Spencer Howard, Kevin Gowdy, and Josh Gessner.
The Phillies have been in a really giant postseason draught. In 2021, they’d questions everywhere in the rotation and the bullpen. Regardless of that, they nonetheless had causes for hope. Bryce Harper ended up profitable NL MVP, Zack Wheeler completed as runner-up for NL Cy Younger, Aaron Nola and JT Realmuto additionally gave the Phillies loads of causes to hope coming into the season. As a substitute, they struggled many of the season. In a weak division, they nonetheless had an opportunity to enhance on the deadline and make a push in direction of the postseason. Gibson and Kennedy had been each having profession years. Gibson’s 2.87 ERA previous to the commerce was the most effective of his profession and Kennedy’s 2.51 ERA was the most effective of his profession, three years after transitioning to a reliever.
As New Discovered Glory may say, it was all downhill from here. Gibson was supposed to provide us one other rotation piece to pair with the NAIT Zack Wheeler and presumably masks a few of Aaron Nola’s struggles by taking among the strain off of him. Gibson pitched 12 video games for the Phillies final season to the tune of a 5.09 ERA. That might have marked the second-worst of his profession. He additionally averaged 8.9 hitter per 9 innings and one house run per 9, ending with a 4-6 file. Kennedy was purported to stabilize a bullpen that had been in flux for a number of seasons. It did permit younger pitcher Ranger Suarez to maneuver from the bullpen to the rotation, which was a really efficient transfer. Nonetheless, his ERA ballooned by greater than a run and a half to 4.13 over his 23 appearances for Philly. He recorded 10 saves however blew three and surrendered seven house runs in his brief time in Philadelphia.
The query: Will Harden be like Gibson and Kennedy? Harden has been accused of not staying in shape, turning into simply disgruntled, and never all the time staying in sport form whereas partying a little bit an excessive amount of. Time will inform, but when these issues are true, will Harden fall off the desk utterly? Will his numbers balloon to virtually function participant ranges? Now with 10 playoff groups, they could not fall out of playoff rivalry, but when Harden performs like Gibson and Kennedy, the Sixers trustworthy could also be feeling a way of deja vu as their season falls aside with Harden’s statistics.
Who do you suppose Harden will most carry out with? Tell us when you’ve got different examples of Phillies in-season commerce acquisitions you suppose Harden may evaluate to earlier than the season is finished. Right here’s hoping for Sixers followers sake, it’s not the Gibson and Kennedy route.
Picture by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
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