Welcome James Harden!

[Suwanee]

To me, his Tobias comment was less about Tobias and more about him being a PG trying to maximize the impact of his team. I think Harden wants to be a 22/11 player now and is embracing his role as the orchestrator of the offense.

I can’t wait to see him run point with this team because we can realistically get 80 points a game from our top 4 players and that makes us a really hard team to guard.

Well, he's that player now (22.5/10.2). If he's healthy and motivated (which he will be after the ASB), he can easily give you 25/11.

[ProcessDoctor]

Steals and blocks aren't everything when it comes to defense.

That being said, they are important, and I was shocked to see Harden's career STL% (2.2) and BLK% (1.3) = combined 3.5.

For comparison, here are the combined career rates of notable past Sixer guards/forwards (worst to best):

JJ Redick: 0.9% STL, 0.3% BLK = combined 1.2
Seth Curry: 1.4% STL, 0.5% BLK = combined 1.9
Jimmy Butler: 2.5% STL, 1.2% BLK = combined 3.7
Danny Green: 2.0% STL, 2.4% BLK = combined 4.4
Robert Covington: 2.6% STL, 2.7% BLK = combined 5.3

Bonus:

Tyrese Maxey: 1.1% STL, 1.3% BLK = combined 2.4

[kriss73]

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Fertitta did cost us an year.

[eyeatoma]

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Loving the vibes.

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[Negrodamus]

We love guys named Jim who work well with the bench!

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[the_process]

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I admire that he's willing to shoulder the massive undertaking that is making Tobias a winning player.

Mind you, it likely won't work. But props for even attempting it.

Tobias’s last three seasons have been averaging 20, and mid-19s twice, so seems like business as usual. I don’t know if Harden is going to be closer to a 28 and 7 guy or a 21 and 10 guy, but Tobias may not see a big decrease in shots, and could get some really good looks from Harden. Also, if he became the focal point of the second unit, maybe more looks.

I read this as Harden just needs to get Tobias an extra bucket every game to hit the round number of 20. However, I think Harden was just complimenting the other starters, but he knows that the stars are him and Joel.

Saying "Tobi scoring 20 is my responsibility" is setting a goal of productivity. And since Tobi will rarely have the ball to pound the air out of now, it implies getting him to have a quick trigger and make the right plays. Otherwise he won't be scoring 20.

That is, in essence, Harden committing to try and make Tobias a winning player. At least to me.

Also, Tobias leading the 2nd unit has been a failure for a year and a half now. Don't know why that thought keeps surfacing as new when Glenn has been doing it all along.

[Ben]

Don't know whether it's been discussed anywhere on the board yet, but re: Zach Lowe's report of a conspiracy theory that -- if Tobi's contract could be dumped-- Harden might take less than what he could get in order to let the Sixers sign a third (near) max player this summer:
Who's even available? I can't imagine Zach Lavine would leave money on the table to leave the Bulls, where he's loved; who else?

[MVP1992]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

[Philly2good]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

If we keep playing like this it's a huge concern

[Jailblazers7]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

Not really. There’s not that many teams with cap room and I bet Harden would be radioactive to most good franchises if he left his 3rd team in 2 years lol.

[FireMorey]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

He said in the press conference he's going to opt in. Either way, they're going to give him a long-term contract. He went to opt in but the paperwork wasn't able to be filed in time before the deadline.

[downtownpie]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

He said in the press conference he's going to opt in. Either way, they're going to give him a long-term contract. He went to opt in but the paperwork wasn't able to be filed in time before the deadline.

That didn't happen by accident. Harden playing games already.

[sixers hoops]

I admire that he's willing to shoulder the massive undertaking that is making Tobias a winning player.

Mind you, it likely won't work. But props for even attempting it.

Tobias’s last three seasons have been averaging 20, and mid-19s twice, so seems like business as usual. I don’t know if Harden is going to be closer to a 28 and 7 guy or a 21 and 10 guy, but Tobias may not see a big decrease in shots, and could get some really good looks from Harden. Also, if he became the focal point of the second unit, maybe more looks.

I read this as Harden just needs to get Tobias an extra bucket every game to hit the round number of 20. However, I think Harden was just complimenting the other starters, but he knows that the stars are him and Joel.

Saying "Tobi scoring 20 is my responsibility" is setting a goal of productivity. And since Tobi will rarely have the ball to pound the air out of now, it implies getting him to have a quick trigger and make the right plays. Otherwise he won't be scoring 20.

That is, in essence, Harden committing to try and make Tobias a winning player. At least to me.

Also, Tobias leading the 2nd unit has been a failure for a year and a half now. Don't know why that thought keeps surfacing as new when Glenn has been doing it all along.

You're reading a lot into this comment and throwing a lot of assumptions on top, but I guess Harden’s intent isnt that important. Whether it was a standard press conference positive statement to show an intent to work with your teammates, or Harden has a burning desire to make Tobi a star, we will have to see if Tobi becomes significantly better.

[MVP1992]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

He said in the press conference he's going to opt in. Either way, they're going to give him a long-term contract. He went to opt in but the paperwork wasn't able to be filed in time before the deadline.

Yeah, maybe.

[eyeatoma]

Is this of any concern??

"James Harden did not officially opt in to his deal for the 22-23 season before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a source confirmed to The Athletic."

He said in the press conference he's going to opt in. Either way, they're going to give him a long-term contract. He went to opt in but the paperwork wasn't able to be filed in time before the deadline.

That didn't happen by accident. Harden playing games already.

Lol Ben has been traded, why are you still here?

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[the_process]

Tobias’s last three seasons have been averaging 20, and mid-19s twice, so seems like business as usual. I don’t know if Harden is going to be closer to a 28 and 7 guy or a 21 and 10 guy, but Tobias may not see a big decrease in shots, and could get some really good looks from Harden. Also, if he became the focal point of the second unit, maybe more looks.

I read this as Harden just needs to get Tobias an extra bucket every game to hit the round number of 20. However, I think Harden was just complimenting the other starters, but he knows that the stars are him and Joel.

Saying "Tobi scoring 20 is my responsibility" is setting a goal of productivity. And since Tobi will rarely have the ball to pound the air out of now, it implies getting him to have a quick trigger and make the right plays. Otherwise he won't be scoring 20.

That is, in essence, Harden committing to try and make Tobias a winning player. At least to me.

Also, Tobias leading the 2nd unit has been a failure for a year and a half now. Don't know why that thought keeps surfacing as new when Glenn has been doing it all along.

You're reading a lot into this comment and throwing a lot of assumptions on top, but I guess Harden’s intent isnt that important. Whether it was a standard press conference positive statement to show an intent to work with your teammates, or Harden has a burning desire to make Tobi a star, we will have to see if Tobi becomes significantly better.

Fair point of reading too much into it.

However... if Tobi still gets the ball "to do his thing" on a roster with Embiid, Harden, and Maxey...

Fire Glenn immediately.

[HardenGoat]

Don't know whether it's been discussed anywhere on the board yet, but re: Zach Lowe's report of a conspiracy theory that -- if Tobi's contract could be dumped-- Harden might take less than what he could get in order to let the Sixers sign a third (near) max player this summer:
Who's even available? I can't imagine Zach Lavine would leave money on the table to leave the Bulls, where he's loved; who else?

I have been saying this for a while now. Harden is going to maximize Moreys ability to sign another player. He is not about the money at this point in his career. He wants more than anything to win a championship. This was not an accident.

[Ferry Avenue]

The nature and timing of the loss last night doesn't augur well for this team's success with Harden. You have to wonder how a team that finally unburdened itself of the Simmons drama and acquired one of the best players in the league could go out and be so thoroughly dominated with that player watching on the sidelines as part of the team for the first time. I think that speaks to the fact that Harden isn't really a winner and doesn't contribute to creating a winning culture on the teams he plays for. Consequently it's easy to go out and lay an egg with Harden watching -- playing in that way isn't inconsistent with the team culture Harden helps create. They'll likely have no better character with him on the floor either. They'll certainly play better, but they won't have a winning culture or a winning edge against the best teams in the league, teams that do have that culture and that edge.

[HardenGoat]

The nature and timing of the loss last night doesn't augur well for this team's success with Harden. You have to wonder how a team that finally unburdened itself of the Simmons drama and acquired one of the best players in the league could go out and be so thoroughly dominated with that player watching on the sidelines as part of the team for the first time. I think that speaks to the fact that Harden isn't really a winner and doesn't contribute to creating a winning culture on the teams he plays for. Consequently it's easy to go out and lay an egg with Harden watching -- playing in that way isn't inconsistent with the team culture Harden helps create. They'll likely have no better character with him on the floor either. They'll certainly play better, but they won't have a winning culture or a winning edge against the best teams in the league, teams that do have that culture and that edge.

Doesn’t culture develop over time? I mean my god he hasn’t even played on the floor and the narrative is he doesn’t help impact winning. To think the mood was better when Simmons was here and ghosting the team is nuts. Or maybe Drummond and Curry created a winning culture despite this?

[Ben]

The nature and timing of the loss last night doesn't augur well for this team's success with Harden. You have to wonder how a team that finally unburdened itself of the Simmons drama and acquired one of the best players in the league could go out and be so thoroughly dominated with that player watching on the sidelines as part of the team for the first time. I think that speaks to the fact that Harden isn't really a winner and doesn't contribute to creating a winning culture on the teams he plays for. Consequently it's easy to go out and lay an egg with Harden watching -- playing in that way isn't inconsistent with the team culture Harden helps create. They'll likely have no better character with him on the floor either. They'll certainly play better, but they won't have a winning culture or a winning edge against the best teams in the league, teams that do have that culture and that edge.

Doesn’t culture develop over time? I mean my god he hasn’t even played on the floor and the narrative is he doesn’t help impact winning. To think the mood was better when Simmons was here and ghosting the team is nuts. Or maybe Drummond and Curry created a winning culture despite this?

I started composing in my mind a response based on the original post's logical fallacies and motivated reasoning, but then I figured that this would be quicker: