James Harden's run with the Philadelphia 76ers has started off better than most fans expected. The former Brooklyn Nets star and two-time MVP returned to his world-breaking ways in his new team, leading the team to a 4-0 record since being traded there. He's been a breath of fresh air after the Ben Simmons debacle.
Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Harden went off again, earning a double-double of 25 points and 11 assists to power a comeback win for the Sixers. That performance lands James Harden among some Philly legends in Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain in just his fourth game there. (via ESPN Stats & Info)
James Harden is the 3rd player in 76ers history to average 25 points and 12 assists over a 4-game span, joining Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain. pic.twitter.com/bcyyB5z7rA
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 5, 2022
Harden requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets during the last deadline due to being unhappy with his situation. Daryl Morey capitalized on that opportunity, trading their own disgruntled star to massively improve the Sixers. Now, Harden is paired up with a legitimate MVP candidate in Joel Embiid. The trade easily made Philly the biggest contender from the Eastern Conference.
It will be an interesting period for the Sixers, as they look to adjust to having one of the best on-ball scorers in league history. They've historically run things through Joel Embiid on offense, which made sense. Now, though, Harden wants Embiid to lessen the load he carries, since it'll benefit the both of them in the long run.
“I continue to tell Jo, he’s just so used to just dribbling up and having to go 1-on-1 which he’s great at, but I try to make the game easier for him in the sense of ‘OK, you give me the ball whenever the game slows down and whatnot, I can get you some easy ones so you don’t have to go against a defender every single time.”
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