The ultimate verdict on James Harden’s Philadelphia 76ers deal will not come for months — and perhaps even years.
Till then, each second Harden and Joel Embiid of Philadelphia’s finest participant on the sector collectively shall be one thing of a Rohrsark check. Some see concord, others misfortune – generally each shall be seen in the identical sport.
There was quite a bit to be discovered from Harden’s debut for the Sixers Friday evening in a 133-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. However the enduring picture of the evening, the one from behind The Beard, was the intense smile on Harden’s face.
“[I’m] “Very joyful,” Harden mentioned post-match. “Very joyful.”
He did not go into element, however he did not must. His play — and his smile after Therese finds Maxi to assist his twelfth and final within the evening — mentioned all of it.
All through his NBA profession, Harden not often made headlines for something he mentioned in interviews. However this doesn’t imply that it’s not expressive. When he is joyful, you’ll be able to see him. When he is sad, as he was evident throughout his ultimate months in Brooklyn, he performs basketball as if he’d been sitting throughout an 8-year-old piano.
Since his commerce to Philadelphia on February 10, Harden has regarded rejuvenated, and no matter was making him so depressing in Brooklyn lastly weighed out of him.
There was an image of him trying up on the sky together with his palms raised to the sky as if somebody was shouting “Hallelujah!”
handle this. 😀 pic.twitter.com/Dup6pfmGAj
– Philadelphia Sixers February 14, 2023
There have been scenes of Harden yelling “throw the ball” virtually each time Embiid shoots a distinguished soft-jumper – as in computerized – And Embiid working towards Harden’s tips that could signal a step again.
Then there’s Philadelphia, which devours Harden merchandise and Sixers tickets in a surprising clip. Since this commerce, Harden’s No. 1 jersey has been the best-selling jersey within the NBA throughout the Fanatics Community.
Friday evening it was so good to really feel all that pleasure as a result of Harden was actually good. Philadelphia outperformed Timberwolves by 35 when Harden was on the sector. Thirty-five Greatest plus-minus for Harden since November 30, 2019, when he was nonetheless a member of the Houston Rockets, based on ESPN stats and data.
For the Sixers’ chief of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, who was additionally the final supervisor of the Rockets when Harden grew into prime participant, it was pretty much as good a begin as he had hoped after his reunion with Harden final month.
“I attempt to not be too excessive or too low, however that was high quality,” Morey instructed ESPN after the match.
Morey is aware of his repute goes with the commerce. The Sixers would both carry their first NBA title since 1983, or flip it into Captain Ahab. He’s a danger taker by nature, however Harden by no means gave the impression to be a hazard to him.
“James is a basketball genius,” Morey mentioned. “And he is needed to play with Joel for a very long time. I believe he all the time thought Joel was, like, the right man to pair up with.”
So Morey trusts it, and Sixers proprietor Josh Harris has given him the arrogance to do the commerce.
Friday evening Harden pushed that belief — after which some. He completed with 27 energetic factors, 12 assists and eight rebounds, capturing 7 of 12 from the ground and 5 of seven from behind the arc. In keeping with Second Spectrum, the Sixers averaged 1.58 factors from Harden touches — the second-best mark for any Harden staff in a sport by which they’ve had no less than 20 touches within the final eight seasons.
“I believe it is like anybody with a brand new group,” Morey mentioned. “You notice you are the brand new man. You need to slot in after which present what you are able to do. Everybody has watched James play for a few years and is aware of what he is able to.
“As you get to know your new teammates, I believe these early interactions are useful. Taking part in early on the sector actually helps.”
Judging by the smile on his face after Friday’s win, Embiid is considerably joyful together with his health as far as properly.
“This was most likely probably the most open I’ve ever had in my profession,” Embiid joked.
5 of Harden’s 12 assists went to Embiid, who completed with 34 factors, 10 rebounds and 9 assists on his personal whereas nonetheless going MVP.
There may be nonetheless an extended technique to go earlier than a ultimate verdict is made on the landscape-altering commerce, and the suitability of Harden and Embiid.
Nevertheless it begins. In addition to smiles.
