After the Nets' deal with the 76ers was completed, there was a lot of media discussion about how Harden and Ben Simmons would influence their respective new owners. However, few people pay attention to Curry Jr., who has had a fantastic season with the 76ers, averaging 15 points and 4 assists per game and is very efficient. He and the shooting numbers are almost identical to Zach Lavine's. He's more than just a role player in this deal.
Theoretically, Curry Jr. would fill Joe Harris' role by passing the ball to get an empty three-pointer. But there are some key differences between the two players.
Harris certainly isn't the Nets' most talented player, but he could be the glue to the team. It's no coincidence that joe Harris played in games this season where the Nets won 10-4, and after his absence due to injury, the Nets' record is 20-23. If you can personally choose a role player to play with three stars, Harris will be the first choice. He's a great ball handle, a great cutter, and his offensive creativity is good.
Curry Jr. was also responsible for creating offense at the 76ers, but in a different way. His definitive playing style was Iverson's cut-in, which he brought with him while on the Lone Rangers. At the Nets, Nash also devised iverson's tactics for Curry Jr. After a timeout in the third quarter, Curry Jr. scored three iversons in a row.
Curry Jr. excelled in his Nets debut, scoring 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting, plus seven rebounds and five assists. It only takes one game to see curry's potential value on the offensive end.
On the defensive end, Curry Jr. faces a more severe test. Joe Harris is a better defender than he is, and Curry Jr. can't replace him. With a height of 1.98, Joe Harris can adapt to the Nets' massive changeover program and can help the team on the defensive end. At this point, Curry Jr. is not as good as Joe Harris, who is only 1.88 meters tall and cannot play against big players in defense.
Luckily, Nash knew how to take advantage of Curry Jr.'s strengths, bringing much-needed elite shots and space to the Nets. When Durant and Irving want to break through the singles, he gives space to his teammates, the kind of role players the Nets have been lacking, and he has a chance to make a huge impact on the team. He was already a very good player when he was with the Lone Rangers and the 76ers. Now, Curry Jr. has the opportunity to show off his abilities on the biggest stage.