TNT analyst and two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith sees the light at the end of the tunnel for two players that teams seem ready to quit on.
Whether it is Zion Williamson and his slew of off-the-court issues or James Harden’s “I in team” mentality, “The Jet” hopes these talented players can be successful in their current environments this season with the NBA season set to tip off Tuesday when the Nuggets host the Lakers.
“The Jet” took time with The Post to preview the 2023-24 NBA season on behalf of FanDuel Sportsbook, which is offering new and existing customers three free months of NBA League Pass to any player who bets $5 on the NBA this season.
“I really hope James stays with [Joel] Embiid. If you look around where he can go, if there wasn’t an issue with [76ers president of basketball operations] Daryl Morey we’d be like, ‘Go to Philly, help Embiid out,” Smith said.
But that looks less and less likely with each missed practice.
Smith offered some advice, hoping that Harden can have a Tony Soprano-style “Meeting of the Minds” to settle his differences with Morey.
He related the Morey-Harden situation to his experience with Robert Horry when he was a member of the Houston Rockets in 1994.
Horry was traded from the Rockets to the Spurs for Sean Elliott, but the trade had to be nixed due to a failed physical by Elliott. Horry returned to Houston and helped Smith and center Hakeem Olajuwon win back-to-back titles in 1994 and ’95.
“We won a championship, despite what management had done to him,” Smith said of Horry, who he said had already traveled to San Antonio. “Think about that. He was actually traded. And he was so rejuvenated after that.
“I hope that [Harden] can do that and make a story for Joel Embiid and say, ‘We won a championship despite what management did to us that year.'”
Harden is currently on his third trade request in five years as the 76ers look to compete for a title with Embiid still in his prime.
Clip: 6:34 – 7:22 — Harden needs to be a two-guard move Maxey to the point
“James Harden is still probably top 10 at his position, but I don’t think it is as a point guard,” Smith said. “I don’t think he’s a point. I think there was a time in his career where you moved him to point, when he moved to Houston from Oklahoma City, and he blew up with the Rockets.
“It’s time to move him back to the two, that’s all. He’s just a two-guard. A great two-guard, but he’s not a great point guard because of the pace that he plays at.”
The 76ers aren’t getting much love from FanDuel Sportsbook to win the NBA championship, coming in at 27-1, the 10th-best odds in the league.
Smith notably had the 76ers absent from his top four teams in the Eastern Conference.
![[Left to right] Former Golden State Warriors General Manager, Bob Myers, and TNT Analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/kenny-smith.jpg)
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
|---|---|
| Bucks | Nuggets |
| Celtics | Warriors |
| Heat | Lakers |
| Knicks | Pelicans |
In the Western Conference, the Pelicans have floated their star Williamson in trades.
“I think if this guy stays healthy, which has not been the case, I think New Orleans could be it,” Smith said. “Because Zion is so difficult to guard.”
The Pelicans are way out there, with 42-1 odds to win the NBA Finals and only -168 to make the playoffs.
Their 42-1 odds would represent the longest odds to win the Finals dating back to 1984, the start of available betting data.
The East features two powers at the top in Boston and Milwaukee, and “The Jet” will take the latter.
“How can Boston be favored when you have two top-75 players of all time on a roster in Milwaukee?” Smith said. “I am selling that the Boston Celtics should be favored to win the NBA Finals all day long.”
With that, we play buy or sell.
Zion Williamson over/under 64.5 games played [enough games to be eligible to win an award]?
This is LeBron James’ last chance at a ring.
If the Pelicans don’t make the playoffs, they must blow it up and reset their roster.
Oklahoma City should trade for a star wing and try to win it all this year.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic will play lights-out ball and go to the Western Conference Finals.
D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura will be traded at the deadline.
Donovan Mitchell will be wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey at this time next year.
The Pacers will make a huge leap this year (at least conference semifinals).
Smith added on ex-Knick Obi Toppin’s fresh start in Indiana: “I don’t know whether Obi Toppin was being misused by the Knicks or if he just couldn’t beat the guys in front of him — [Julius] Randle or [R.J.] Barrett. I don’t think he was misused at all, he just couldn’t beat what was in front of him.”