Welcome James Harden!

[stormi]

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Say what you will about Harden, he definitely puts in the work.

dad

[HardenGoat]

It's funny how Harden got branded a choker for competing against teams that dog walked Lebron James. Like even the greatest of Lebron detractors point to 2011 and his overall (correct) decision to flee to South Beach. 2017 & 2018? Uncharted territories. Those were the unbeatable teams. "Kevin Durant broke basketball".

The Warriors beat the Cavs in 5 and then a sweep the next season? No issues here, nothing he could do.

But James Harden comes along as the leader of the only team that ever pushed the greatest team in basketball to a game 7. Ever had them trail in a series. Ever took games away from them at Oracle.

But this guy is the choker and the loser.

I get it though, as the greatest shooting guard in NBA history these are just the standards that are set for you.

Preach!

[Jailblazers7]

I’m definitely a member of the “James Harden is a choker” club and trying to let that go so I can be more optimistic about him being a Sixer lol. But…I will say that it’s not a great look if his best claim to playoff fame is that he almost won a big series that one time.

[Ferry Avenue]

I’m definitely a member of the “James Harden is a choker” club and trying to let that go so I can be more optimistic about him being a Sixer lol. But…I will say that it’s not a great look if his best claim to playoff fame is that he almost won a big series that one time.

What you want to pay attention to here is whether Harden responds to team adversity by ratcheting up his game and playing better than usual under those circumstances.

Jordan was the epitome of that. I'm not expecting "Jordan" from Harden, but a team that can win a title needs a player who plays that way to some degree. Not to the "Jordan" level perhaps, but to some degree.

What I see from Harden on the other hand is his usual under those circumstances. There is no elevation of his game as a response to 1) his appreciation of the game situation and the adversity involved, and 2) his recognition of himself as the player who's going to make the difference.

I see more of that from the 21-year-old Tyrese Maxey than I do from Harden.

[Ferry Avenue]

I’m definitely a member of the “James Harden is a choker” club and trying to let that go so I can be more optimistic about him being a Sixer lol. But…I will say that it’s not a great look if his best claim to playoff fame is that he almost won a big series that one time.

What you want to pay attention to here is whether Harden responds to team adversity by ratcheting up his game and playing better than usual under those circumstances.

Jordan was the epitome of that. I'm not expecting "Jordan" from Harden, but a team that can win a title needs a player who plays that way to some degree. Not to the "Jordan" level perhaps, but to some degree.

What I see from Harden on the other hand is his usual under those circumstances. There is no elevation of his game as a response to 1) his appreciation of the game situation and the adversity involved, and 2) his recognition of himself as the player who's going to make the difference.

I see more of that from the 21-year-old Tyrese Maxey than I do from Harden.

Did anyone see an iota of the above tonight?

[Murray_17]

Did anyone see an iota of the above tonight?

Nop, but i thought you were seeing CJ Mcollum

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

What I've seen is James Harden play awful in every big game we've had since trading for him. He's yet to step up and win us a game. He hasn't been able to take over a game nor has he taken any heat off of Embiid. If he opts in...fine, but we don't need to pay him beyond next season.

[brannigan73]

Honestly the best case scenario is Harden opts in for one year. They gave up a lot for him we will look like fools if we dont resign him and he perks up elsewhere. If he doesnt opt in I would still lean toward resigning him unless we can get rid of Harris 18-20 mil in cap space sadly in the modern NBA Im not sure what that gets you. He is in an epic 3pt shooting slump not sure I've ever seen anything quite like it. I feel like its causing him to be super hesistant. I dont buy the washed up part quite yet I just think he is in the coldest shooting slump of his career and is reacting awfully to it.

[marcush]

Can’t have this guy signing that max extension.

[mjkvol]

Honestly the best case scenario is Harden opts in for one year. They gave up a lot for him we will look like fools if we dont resign him and he perks up elsewhere. If he doesnt opt in I would still lean toward resigning him unless we can get rid of Harris 18-20 mil in cap space sadly in the modern NBA Im not sure what that gets you. He is in an epic 3pt shooting slump not sure I've ever seen anything quite like it. I feel like its causing him to be super hesistant. I dont buy the washed up part quite yet I just think he is in the coldest shooting slump of his career and is reacting awfully to it.

This is my take as well. Letting Harden walk is not the answer, and this idea that Bradley Beal would be the guy to make that difference is downright comical. I wouldn't max Harden, but an opt in or a more team friendly resign and then look to retool the supporting cast is the only sensible solution, and if it doesn't work in a couple of years, then tear it down.

I'm only 100% certain of one thing - if Glenn isn't replaced, then any other personnel moves are pointless.

[Ferry Avenue]

As much as it reflects a lack of leadership for Joel Embiid to state that Harden needs to be more aggressive, it also reflects the truth of the Harden situation -- that teams can double- and triple-team Joel Embiid, and James Harden responds with a pedestrian night offensively, in a blowout loss.

Any player with Harden's ability who's watching the opposing team sell out defensively to stop another player should get wide eyes about his own potential for dominating that game. Imagine for example how Kobe Bryant would react to Shaq's being double- and triple-teamed -- he'd say to himself "looks like I'm gonna get 40+ here tonight," and then he'd go out and do it and likely win the game for his team.

Harden shows none of that kind of response to that situation. So while Embiid's calling him out reflects poor leadership by Embiid in my opinion, it also reflects that Harden's response to the situation they're in is woefully lacking.

In the end you have two players who really just aren't capable of spearheading a team in the manner necessary in the playoffs. And that's the central reason why this team won't go anywhere this year.

[HardenGoat]

There’s no doubt he has lost a step. Question is can he gain some back like CP3 did after his hammy injury. It took a couple years and a change in his focus and diet to do it. They are similarly aged when the injuries occurred. Iam confident Harden will opt in and make salary adjustments to maximize what players can be signed. He isn’t looking for more money or to hogtie a franchise to an albatross contract.

[76ciology]

I do think the coaching staff aren’t letting Embiid and Harden take heavily challenge shots. Such as volume of 3s for harden off stepbacks.

The coaching staff wants a G1 and G2 type offense. Harden and Embiid generating high volume of wide open 3s. Whereas we have been an elite 3pt shooting team this playoffs and is probably the best in generating wide open looks.

[NYSixersFan]

Harden has become another Russell Westbrook.

Fire Morey!

[DaddyCool19]

What's the most you guys would be ok paying him? Let's assume he gets in better conditioning/shape in the offseason. A 3 year max? I actually wouldn't go further than a 2+1 year contract.

If Morey thinks about offering him a 5 year max, I would probably fire him. That contract would rivals Westbrooks

[elchengue20]

Hes washed up and Toronto has multiple defenders to throw at him. Not really surprising.

Signing him to a 5 year max would kill any remaining hope of building an championship team in Joels prime. Sadly it could be our only option, because letting him walk for nothing could be even worse.

We are once again at a crossroads like when we traded for Harris. You gotta love the Sixers.

[phillynative]

As much as it reflects a lack of leadership for Joel Embiid to state that Harden needs to be more aggressive, it also reflects the truth of the Harden situation -- that teams can double- and triple-team Joel Embiid, and James Harden responds with a pedestrian night offensively, in a blowout loss.

Any player with Harden's ability who's watching the opposing team sell out defensively to stop another player should get wide eyes about his own potential for dominating that game. Imagine for example how Kobe Bryant would react to Shaq's being double- and triple-teamed -- he'd say to himself "looks like I'm gonna get 40+ here tonight," and then he'd go out and do it and likely win the game for his team.

Harden shows none of that kind of response to that situation. So while Embiid's calling him out reflects poor leadership by Embiid in my opinion, it also reflects that Harden's response to the situation they're in is woefully lacking.

In the end you have two players who really just aren't capable of spearheading a team in the manner necessary in the playoffs. And that's the central reason why this team won't go anywhere this year.

At this point everyone should know Embiid isnt going to bite his tongue. I dont get where him saying Harden should of been more aggressive shows a lack of leadership if its the truth. Did he lie? Did he avert blame? I dont think so, he said he himself he played terrible defense in which he did. Newsflash Embiid wasnt going to have high scoring #s in this series with the way raptors play him and especially now that hes injured. You said yourself Embiid gets triple teamed somebody else should be stepping up.

Embiid is not surrounded by 3&D wings, athletic defenders or another big man to help cover the paint. He is surrounded by players that should be able to get a bucket when their defender leaves them to double and crowd him. If Maxey cant score what else can he give you on the floor , Harden can no longer put a team on his back offensively but he atleast should be able to get guys easy shots, rebound and hit open shots. Tobias is an undersized 4 who was payed the Max, he was supposed to be able to step up there as well.

If Harden is not that guy anymore(which is what it look like) its unfortunate and a bit of bad luck that the sixers have never been able to pair Embiid with that.

[Fencer reregistered]

As an outsider, I think I'm hearing:

-- Harden is shooting very inefficiently.
-- Harden should shoot more.

The apparent contradiction in that is obvious. So what am I overlooking, mishearing, or simply getting wrong?

[Ferry Avenue]

As an outsider, I think I'm hearing:

-- Harden is shooting very inefficiently.
-- Harden should shoot more.

The apparent contradiction in that is obvious. So what am I overlooking, mishearing, or simply getting wrong?

I suspect Embiid is simply responding to the fact that the opposing team is focused on stopping him, while the other player most responsible for winning appears to be responding to that with the status quo, i.e., nothing different about his game. When Embiid says "be more aggressive," what he's really saying is, "they're focused on stopping me -- why aren't you seizing the opportunity and pouring in 30 points for us?"

I said a while ago here that it wouldn't take long for Embiid to realize that Harden doesn't possess the characteristics that made Jimmy Butler so appealing to him. Looks to be about five playoff games in season one, while Butler on the other hand is dominant for the Heat.

[the_process]

Harden has limited lift which is affecting his shot.

The Sixers still need him to score.