The Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night. Sixers fans are anxiously awaiting tip-off, because it will be the first time James Harden takes the game-day court for Philadelphia.
Harden and Joel Embiid have publicized their friendship since the point guard came to Philly. Hours before Harden's debut, Embiid told the media that he is an all-around great addition to the team.
Sixers reporter Lauren Rosen tweeted his words of praise Friday afternoon.
Joel Embiid on James Harden:
"He’s a great person, a great personality. Always smiling. Fun to be around. His presence – on the team, and on the floor – has really changed us a lot since he got here." pic.twitter.com/a63OX5XhO9
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) February 25, 2022
According to Embiid, Harden has positively changed the team before he even recorded a minute of gameplay with the Sixers. He said that Harden is a “great person,” a “great personality,” and “fun to be around.”
Embiid also emphasized Harden's on-court talents. The Sixers tweeted this clip of the big man Friday afternoon.




"We gotta want it, I gotta want it. He's gotta want it. And the other guys are going to follow." – @JoelEmbiid
we want it. do you? pic.twitter.com/sDjSgUks7P
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 25, 2022
“He's a great basketball player, obviously, but I think he's also very smart.” The Sixers center said that as long as both he and Harden want to win, the rest of the team will follow.
Embiid has proven in his performances this season that he wants to win it all. He let his actions speak for themselves, while Harden vocalized his intentions on Wednesday.
“I'm a competitor. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to bring a championship to the 76ers and Philly,” he said. Expectations are high for the point guard, and it will be interesting to see how he performs Friday night. It will be his first game in over three weeks.