In an exclusive interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, James Harden spoke at length about the past year, his current events and the upcoming season on the Philadelphia side. And as usual, the Beard did not mince his words, especially in the face of those who reproached him for not having lived up to the expectations placed on him. So we settle down quietly to look at it more closely.
Let’s clear things up first before continuing. Yes, James Harden could and should have done better last year. Yes, we certainly expect too much from him. Both statements are true and therefore not contradictory. Let’s start with the positives first. With nearly 22 points, 7.7 rebounds and 10.3 assists, 1.3 steals average in 65 games (Brooklyn and Philadelphia combined), we clearly can’t blame the rear for hiding in a cave for a year. Especially since his statistics are essentially the same if we only take his 21 games with the Sixers. We must therefore salute the ability to adapt which the Beard was able to show, but also his self-sacrifice for a team with which he played almost 38 minutes each evening, despite recurring physical glitches. However, there are therefore also negative sides. First of all, percentages that are not very pretty to see: 41% shooting including 33% at 3-pointers for the whole of the 2021-2022 financial year, his worst career stats, again very close whether it is in Brooklyn or in Philly. Second, failed Playoffs, with Harden less aggressive than usual and who therefore could not take Philadelphia further than the conference semi-finals. Although he can accept criticism of his level of play, Ramesse nevertheless wanted to set the record straight at the microphone of Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sportsparticularly in relation to his role and the expectations placed on him :
“I don’t really listen to what people say. I was not playing well last season and yet I was almost in triple-double average. If anyone else had these stats, they would be talked about as a candidate for a max contract. People were used to seeing me average 30-40 points, so they saw it as a year worse. I had been in Philadelphia for two months and had to learn on the job. That’s just it. Physically and mentally I’m in a good zone now, and I can’t wait to start next season. »
Obviously, James Harden therefore knows a lot about what he is accused of while he does not listen ” not really what people say. Still, Sixers fans will appreciate the rather optimistic speech of their guard, whose gaze is already focused on the month of October. With Joel Embiid as a teammate and at 32, it is indeed impossible to ask Harden to become the same player as in Houston, where he was constantly in the oven and the mill. Well aware of this, the latter would therefore like to make it understood to those who have not yet integrated it. However, the guy will still have to do better by quickly finding a way to get used to delegating, in order to find his place in this workforce that wants to win the title. Moreover, in this quest for a ring, the one that many criticized for his diva attitude to the Rockets skipped a player option at 47 million dollars, in order to take “only” 32 potatoes the year. next. Poke Damian Lillard. A very strong gesture, which allowed him to improve his image, while demonstrating his desire to become NBA champion:
“I spoke with Daryl [Morey, ndlr.] and I was told how we could get better and what the market value of certain players was. I told Daryl to improve our roster, sign the ones we needed to sign and give me the rest, whatever it was. […] That’s how much I want to win. I want to fight for a championship title. That’s all that matters to me at this point. I’m willing to take less if it allows us to put ourselves in a position to accomplish this. »
Without this decision, Philadelphia might not have been able to sign a soldier and NBA champion like PJ Tucker for 33 million over three years or a shooter like Danuel House over two years. According to the Beard, the Sixers’ roster is now deeper, more like other contenders and will allow them to go ” much further. » We also learn through this interview that the rear is in frequent discussion with Jojo in order to prepare for next season. Also seen doing workouts with Tyrese Maxey among others, Harden has therefore really focused his summer on getting back in shape physically and in a collective state of mind. You can say what you want about the guy, but he seems to have understood what he had to work on.
While Joel Embiid has fun during a wedding, James Harden continues to be talked about. However, things seem to be going in the right direction for the moment and it is now difficult to find fault with the boy’s offseason. Of course, the most important is to come, and we can’t wait to see if, for his fourteenth season in the NBA, the Beard will succeed in closing everyone’s mouths.
Source texte : Yahoo Sports