The Philadelphia 76ers have their backs against the wall. Although they initially put up a strong fight with the Miami Heat in Game 1, they eventually got ran off the floor. Although Joel Embiid may not be sidelined for as long as previously thought, he may just return to being in a massive hole. Digging the Sixers out of it will be a very difficult task.

Philadelphia being bounced so quickly would be an indictment on James Harden. With Embiid, the responsibility should fall on him. Instead, he came out and had a disappointing performance in Game 1.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, a new Harden contract from the Sixers may not be the full max contract amount. Amick said on The Athletic NBA Show (at the 43:00 mark) that Philadelphia obtained him with the hopes that he would take less.

“When the Sixers got him, their intel was that he would potentially be willing to take less. And obviously, you know, nobody knows him better than Daryl (Morey). So, that wouldn't shock me at all.”

The Sixers will be committing a lot of money to Embiid, Harden and Tobias Harris regardless of what Harden's outlook is. The 32-year-old guard will still be getting paid very handsomely. Harris could be movable, as he only has two more years on his massive contract. Even if they find a taker, they will be devoting a sizable amount of money to an aging Harden that already looks cooked.

A new James Harden contract will be a necessity for the Sixers, but they will have to play it very carefully. For now, though, they will have to focus on tying up the series in Game 2 in Miami.