“I’ll do anything to help the team continue to grow, get better, and do the right things to help the team win and compete at a high level.”James Harden said so following the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2021-22 season came to an end.
Every summer, every NBA team makes the best use of the cap space on hand, either to increase their chips in order to compete for the championship, or to plan for the current operation of the team and the blueprint for the future. For the 76ers, the past season ended in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. It was full of regrets, but it also gave them greater ambitions and hopes for the new season.
“Most Valuable Philadelphian” (Most Valuable Philadelphian) Joel Embiid was injured to the bottom of his eye socket in Game 6 of the first-round series once morest the Toronto Raptors, and a previous torn ligament in his thumb affected him in 76 years. Team’s performance in the series once morest the Miami Heat. However, Embiid’s career-high MVP-level skills of 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the regular season are obvious to all. This is also the source of confidence that the 76ers have the confidence to challenge the championship in the coming season.
More importantly, Harden, who swapped clubs with Ben Simmons in the middle of last season—has an impact, a perimeter, a playmaker, and a former regular-season MVP. To some extent, Harden’s partnership with Embiid has boosted the 76ers’ confidence in their championship run. Harden’s half-season with the Sixers didn’t have a smooth start, though. In the last two series once morest the Heat, Harden had 14 and 11 points on 21 shots in total.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to not have to deal with any serious injury in my career, whether it’s surgery or otherwise. However, for the past two years, I’ve been struggling with some hamstring issues, which Not joking.”Harden admits that he’s not at 100 percent.“I’m going to take this summer as an opportunity to do something for myself and make sure I can get back to the elite level where I know where I am and where I will be. That’s my priority.”
In a way, there’s been a subtle shift in Harden since coming to Philadelphia. It was only two years ago that he returned to the team with a swollen figure and participated in the training camp of the Houston Rockets because he might not see the future with the Rockets; to the press conference of the Brooklyn Nets, he said that he was a Outstanding players, teammates, and willing to do anything to win for the team — a lot, myself. Later, in a Sixers press conference, Harden had this to say:“Joel (Embiid) is playing at his best and my job is to get on the court and help him and help the team win a championship this year and years to come.”Also, that sentence:“I will stay here.”– Now it’s more regarding dedication to the team.
One of the first things Harden did this summer was deal with his contract with the Sixers. He first declined a player option worth up to $47 million in the final year of his contract, and then took a voluntary pay cut so that the Sixers’ uniform might use the remaining cap space to bolster the team’s roster. Currently, Harden is expected to sign a two-year, $68 million extension with the 76ers, and the pay cut he is willing to take is to allow the 76ers to sign PJ Tucker and re-sign Danuel House Jr in free agency. . one of the key factors.
Of course, people who have followed Harden for a long time, everyone can say that his every move is good or bad, although those critical words are always easier to hear. Some people say that Harden will choose to take a step back because he has not performed very well in the past season, and he cannot convince the team to give him a longer top-level contract, so the salary cut is the inevitable result; some people That said, Harden used to play the “good guy” card when he first joined a new team, and eventually he would return to the status quo, only caring regarding his own interests.
For Harden, he doesn’t care regarding the outside world, just like he sometimes shuts himself in a room and enjoys playing games in his own world.“In general, I think, a lot of what I say is misunderstood following all, and I’m not the type to explain, complain, or go to social media to go back and explain. It’s a waste of time. So, I just let people keep talking, say what they want to say, do what they want to do, and that’s it.”Harden said.“Afterwards, if they get what they want, let them; if they don’t, don’t. But in the end it doesn’t matter.”
