Welcome James Harden!

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

My thoughts echo the same as others on here. Harden balls out in the playoffs and we get to the Finals, he can have his money. He goes ghost in the playoffs like he has many other times over the years and he can feel free to walk if what we offer isn't enough.

[76ciology]

He has been absolutely incredible the past 1-2 months. Some combo of his increased shooting efficiency & improved burst has rejuvenated his iso game. He’s still dreadful to watch on defense for 10-15 possession every night but he’s exceeded my expectations for sure.

He’s actually good on defense.
-1.8 DFG% and +.8 D-Raptor

I think most people are just not used to how NBA plays defense nowadays.

It’s not Harden’s defense is bad, but the entire league’s defense is bad relative to how defense was back then.

[76ciology]

My thoughts echo the same as others on here. Harden balls out in the playoffs and we get to the Finals, he can have his money. He goes ghost in the playoffs like he has many other times over the years and he can feel free to walk if what we offer isn't enough.

I think Maxey is the key.

If Maxey is good, you will be OP against other teams while you get a back-up in case Biid and Harden struggles.

I dont think Harden can give you 30-40pts to carry Maxey and the bench if they ever struggle.

We just need Harden to be consistently be good. Then Maxey to take his game into another level. I think Morey talked about this during the offseason

Morey said there are 4 things needed for Sixers to have a chance to win championship

Guys 5-11 to be as good as they thought
Harden to be just good Harden, not even 2018 version
Embiid to be as good as he was in last 2 seasons
Maxey taking his game to another level.

The last one (about maxey) was the hardest and Morey thought Maxey has done it during the offseason

[76ciology]

https://www.adidas.com/us/harden-volume-7-basketball-shoes/HQ3424.html

Looks like a nice shoe btw. Im wondering why they dont release it in the beginning of the season.

[rocketsfan100]

Harden has an opportunity to have a big playoff series and go out and get himself a three year 140 million contract. Given his rejuvenation and a big playoff series if Morey says no thanks I can see the lakers or another team with Capspace could go after him.

[76ciology]

Harden has an opportunity to have a big playoff series and go out and get himself a three year 140 million contract. Given his rejuvenation and a big playoff series if Morey says no thanks I can see the lakers or another team with Capspace could go after him.

maxey can’t replace Harden and thats why Morey will do whatever it takes to retain him.

3 years 140? Done.

[Jailblazers7]

He has been absolutely incredible the past 1-2 months. Some combo of his increased shooting efficiency & improved burst has rejuvenated his iso game. He’s still dreadful to watch on defense for 10-15 possession every night but he’s exceeded my expectations for sure.

He’s actually good on defense.
-1.8 DFG% and +.8 D-Raptor

I think most people are just not used to how NBA plays defense nowadays.

It’s not Harden’s defense is bad, but the entire league’s defense is bad relative to how defense was back then.

I don’t think he’s a bad defender I just think he has ADHD or something lol. He’s strong & has good hands but there are like 10 plays per game where he completely falls asleep off ball. His bad plays are so visibly bad that it overshadows everything else.

[76ciology]

He has been absolutely incredible the past 1-2 months. Some combo of his increased shooting efficiency & improved burst has rejuvenated his iso game. He’s still dreadful to watch on defense for 10-15 possession every night but he’s exceeded my expectations for sure.

He’s actually good on defense.
-1.8 DFG% and +.8 D-Raptor

I think most people are just not used to how NBA plays defense nowadays.

It’s not Harden’s defense is bad, but the entire league’s defense is bad relative to how defense was back then.

I don’t think he’s a bad defender I just think he has ADHD or something lol. He’s strong & has good hands but there are like 10 plays per game where he completely falls asleep off ball. His bad plays are so visibly bad that it overshadows everything else.

Its on purpose. Just as Biid not jumping for boards or challenging a lot of shots at the rim until crunch time.

Defensive players like melton gambling too much for their steals and blocks numbers

Scorers slacking on defense to have more energy on offense

I was looking at Josh Okogie’s defensive numbers, the guy was locking up guys when he was with the Wolves. Now that he’s scoring with the Suns, he’s man to man defense dropped off. Same thing with Bridges.

I also see Giannis’ block numbers having a steep dropping off.

The other night Harden crossed up Evan Mobley twice. I dont think he could have done that if he was exerting all the energy on defense.

Thats really how the league is right now. I think some of us are still used to the past era of how the game is played

[HardenGoat]

I don’t see Maxey as being able to close out games and that’s what this team has lacked in big moments. Embiid carries the team for 3 quarters and we often have the lead. Sometimes a big lead. Then things go down to the crunch and we need baskets. Yes Embiid can do it at times but when the playoffs come we have a different set of rules. He doesn’t get the usual fouls and he starts running out of gas. He’s a big guy and plays a pivotal role on defense as well. It is what it is. Those little turnovers from a lack of foul call end up costing us points on the other end. We can’t rely on that as a way to close out playoff games. This is why we have to have Harden play his best, he has to beat his man. Get open kick outs to our best shooter. Score himself. Harden is the key here and he is going to have to step up to plate and get it done. No more excuses. He looks very close to full health now. He has to play this way to get to the finals. If he does it would be worth keeping him to find the best possible solution in the off season. That would be add a third dynamic to the team. A star forward to complete a big 3. That would be impossible to scheme against and we would have another legit option for closing out games. Nets had it, there was no team capable of beating that big 3 if they were all healthy. The offense could not have been stopped. Iam not sure what star will be available though that can be obtained. Lillard could be the best available option if he chooses to come. I don’t see any star forwards on the horizon being available unfortunately. This team can go all the way but only if Harden gets us there.

[SixthStreet]

The way Harden has been playing of late is close to the Nets peak version that was at MVP level. Quite frankly I was assuming even that version was gone forever. He plays like this, a championship is not a pipe dream.

[M2J]

I think he's been showing that he can definitely still be a guy that averages 26+. He's of course changed his game for the better and been a constant force as a playmaker. I just think his traditional one on one offense would kill any rhythm the offense has, as it did to begin the season when he and Joel were taking turns. He's been brilliant in his ability to adapt so much in terms of being a primary playmaker, quick hitting offense off pick and roll with strong drives and even being a great catch and shoot player.

I think he's capable of some big games in the playoffs and they'll be needed. From all of the top 4 scorers. Similar to that Nets game where they got 137pts. It wasn't pretty because they Nets switched everything defensively forcing more one on one offense and swarmed Joel's 4 out offense. That's how teams are going to play in the playoffs. That's what the Raptors did last year and the Sixers figured it out. James sought out mismatches against FVV to the point they took him out. They're going to need to beat mismatches, no matter which of the four have them. Teams like to hide smaller and poorer defending stars on Tobi, and that must be exploited.

But back to James specifically, it would definitely be fun to see if he can have some explosive games where he pulled out all of the repertoire. His midrange shot is underutilized in the pick and roll offense truly. Teams are going to look to take away Joel, and the basket from James and that shot will be there. But, he never takes more than 1-2 for some reason?

[Bum Adebayo]

Harden has been a good defender for quite some time, 1.35 DRPM is solid.

[Kobblehead]

Harden was an elite defender in his prime when everyone was criticizing him. He's slowed down now, obviously, given that he's in his mid30s.

[HardenGoat]

Weird not seeing Harden in the all star game right now. The hate is real.

[rocketsfan100]

According to legitimate rockets insider Kelly Iko the chances of a Harden return to Houston are atleast 70 percent in favor of a return to Houston this offseason

[Stanford]

May as well trade Embiid if we lose Harden for nothing.

No clue why Houston would be interested though. Or Harden. Makes no sense for either party.

[ProcessDoctor]

Harden has a whole community behind him in Houston and probably came to Philly solely to win a chip. If he can't do that, then maybe he just wants to go back to being a baller and having fun.

[rocketsfan100]

Or the Sixers saving the capspace for maxey. I don’t think they want to be paying harden, Embiid and Maxey max or close to the max. Plus there is Tobias and his contract

[Stanford]

Harden has a whole community behind him in Houston and probably came to Philly solely to win a chip. If he can't do that, then maybe he just wants to go back to being a baller and having fun.

He got grumpy having to do **** by himself and forced his way out of two consecutive spots. Houston is not going to be competitive with Harden and the man is not exactly an excellent leader. Seems like a disaster.

[HardenGoat]

Or the Sixers saving the capspace for maxey. I don’t think they want to be paying harden, Embiid and Maxey max or close to the max. Plus there is Tobias and his contract

That’s what the owner will have to do though. They reset the tax to avoid the repeater. This had to have been discussed. His discount added salary depth flexibility. I think he is simply pushing the owner to go all in next year. The ball will be in his court. Morey can get creative next year if a star pops up. Tobias is going to be an expiring contract.