James Harden Unconcerned with Droop; Says He is ‘One of many Most Assured Gamers’

James Harden Unconcerned with Slump; Says He's 'One of the Most Confident Players'

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James Harden dismissed what has been a considerably unconvincing begin with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 2017-18 MVP completed with 22 factors and 14 assists as Philadelphia beat the Indiana Pacers 133-120 on Saturday. He instructed reporters after the sport he is “one of the vital assured gamers” within the NBA on offense.

“I do know that I am not making photographs,” he stated. “However I am one of the vital assured gamers we now have on this league as a result of I put the work in. It’s what it’s. It is part of the sport. … [I’ll] proceed to work my [butt] off. Ain’t no different alternative. Ain’t no time to really feel sorry for no one, really feel sorry for myself.”

Harden went 7-of-16 from the sphere however missed seven of his 9 three-point makes an attempt.

From a Philly perspective, there was some hope {that a} change of surroundings may assist the 32-year-old rediscover his typical effectivity. In 44 video games with the Brooklyn Nets, he shot 41.4 p.c total and 33.2 p.c from three, each of which have been beneath his profession averages previous to 2021-22 (44.4 FG%; 36.3 3P%).

Nevertheless, the pattern has continued with the Sixers. Harden’s field-goal share (40.2) and three-point share (32.6) since becoming a member of Philadelphia would each symbolize profession lows.

Past the pure numbers, there is a rising sense the 10-time All-Star merely will not be the identical participant he was even towards the top of his run with the Houston Rockets.

Raheem Palmer @iamrahstradamus

Harden can’t beat bigs on the swap anymore. He has no burst, quickness or potential to complete on the rim anymore. At this level he’s feast or famine relying on if his step again 3 is falling. Dude is #LarryHolmesStatus. I actually don’t even assume the 76ers can resign him

Mike O’Connor @MOConnor_NBA

In the event you didn’t know who he was and also you’d solely watched Harden this yr you’d by no means consider me if I instructed you he averaged 34.3 factors per sport two seasons in the past.

Given Harden’s spotty monitor file within the playoffs, there is no assure that taking part in on the massive stage of the postseason all of a sudden makes the whole lot click on.

It is clearly manner too early to make any agency judgments concerning the Sixers’ resolution to amass Harden and quit Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks within the course of. And issues may very well be going a lot worse than they’re now.

However up to now, Philadelphia hasn’t gotten a lot readability as as to if Harden can meaningfully assist the franchise chase a title, or whether or not handing him a large long-term extension is a protected sufficient guess.


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