As soon as Once more Bounced From the Playoffs, the 76ers Should Remedy the James Harden Drawback

Once Again Bounced From the Playoffs, the 76ers Must Solve the James Harden Problem - Sports Illustrated

Early within the fourth quarter of Recreation 6 between the Sixers and Warmth, an exhausted Doc Rivers deserted makes an attempt to scheme his staff again into it and appealed on to its aggressive spirit. “Struggle for this,” implored Rivers. “Come on guys, struggle for this.” They didn’t. Miami’s lead swelled to 19, then to twenty earlier than Philadelphia closed the hole in rubbish time, ending the sport—and its season—with a 99–90 defeat.

Within the second, Rivers was addressing everybody in that Sixers huddle. His message, nonetheless, was probably aimed squarely at James Harden. Within the greatest recreation of Philadelphia’s season, Harden performed like he didn’t wish to be there. He tried 9 pictures, fewer than anybody within the Sixers beginning lineup however Danny Inexperienced—who left the sport after three minutes with a knee harm. Within the third quarter Harden had extra turnovers (two) than pictures. He tried yet one more within the fourth quarter. He didn’t try a free throw. His closing line: 43 minutes, 11 factors, 9 assists, 4 turnovers.

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) reacts to a call by referee Zach Zarba (15) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Miami.

“We by no means bought any offensive rhythm tonight,” Rivers mentioned. “I didn’t like how we performed … I assumed we had extra.”

And Harden?

“‘Hear,” mentioned Rivers. “I don’t wish to make this a referendum on James.”

Tremendous. However how Philadelphia offers with Harden this summer season will outline the way forward for the franchise. The Sixers mortgaged the long run to accumulate Harden. They traded Ben Simmons, their most interesting commerce chip. They included Seth Curry, a 31-year previous sharp capturing guard who Joel Embiid actually favored enjoying with. They threw in a pair of first spherical picks. Group president Daryl Morey believed Harden was the lacking piece, and he hitched Philadelphia’s wagon to him.

And now the 76ers’ entrance workplace has a choice to make on what to pay him.

When Philadelphia traded for Harden in February the expectation was that the Sixers would lock Harden in on a five-year contract price north of $250 million. Morey’s affection for Harden is well-known. He acquired Harden from Oklahoma Metropolis in 2012, empowered him and watched him blossom into an MVP. Morey has routinely referred to Harden as the best isolation participant in NBA historical past and believed the prospect to play with a dominant scoring massive like Embiid—the kind of participant Morey and Harden talked about however had been by no means in a position to carry to Houston—would energize him.

It didn’t. Harden averaged 21 factors per recreation through the common season. His subject objective proportion (40.2%) and three-point proportion (32.6%) had been profession lows. His numbers within the playoffs had been comparable. For each sensible recreation Harden performed (a 22-point, 15-assist effort in Recreation 6 towards Toronto, a 31-point outburst in Recreation 4 towards Miami) there have been twice as many clunkers. In Philly’s final two video games, Harden tried 22 pictures, scored 25 factors and had practically as many turnovers (eight) as assists (13). Whereas ex-Sixer Jimmy Butler carried his staff—“I nonetheless don’t know why we let him go,” mentioned a still-salty Embiid—Harden was little greater than a bystander on his.

Requested to elucidate his lack of aggressiveness in Recreation 6, Harden mentioned, “After we had been on offense, the ball simply didn’t get again to me.”

It’s not that easy. Embiid is aware of it. “Everyone anticipated the Houston James Harden,” Embiid mentioned. “That’s not who he’s anymore. He’s extra of a playmaker.” Harden is aware of it. The remainder of the NBA is aware of it. “The decline is clear,” a rival staff government advised SI. “You’ll be able to see it in his capability to create area, to create the pictures he would often generate. He doesn’t have the burst. Individuals aren’t petrified of him driving and scoring. They’re difficult that step again extra often. He’s simply not the identical participant.”

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He’s not, however Harden, who will flip 33 this summer season, enters the offseason with leverage. He has till June 29 to choose into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, a choice that might assure him $47.4 million subsequent season. He may wager on himself, {that a} wholesome summer season and a full coaching camp with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle will result in a extra productive season. It’s a threat—Harden’s hamstring points have turn out to be continual, and he may get harm or his regression may proceed—but it surely’s a stick he may use in negotiations.

May 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard James Harden (1) talk during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in game six of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center.

As a result of what’s Philadelphia going to do? Permitting Harden to choose in and play out his contract makes some enterprise sense. However Harden has successfully stop on two groups when he didn’t like what was taking place. Philadelphia, determined to maximise the MVP-level seasons of Embiid, doesn’t wish to be a 3rd.

And what if Harden finds a greater deal? He’s bought six weeks to survey the panorama—spare me the tampering outcry, except you might be amongst those that suppose offers agreed to a minute into free company are negotiated within the 60 seconds after it opens—and see what’s on the market. {The marketplace} gained’t be sturdy. However what if Houston, house to Harden’s most profitable seasons, seeks a reunion? What if Portland, determined so as to add extra star energy alongside Damian Lillard, opens the vault?

Can Philadelphia threat dropping Harden for nothing?

For his half, Harden mentioned he intends to be with the Sixers subsequent season. Requested instantly if he would choose into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, Harden mentioned, “I’ll be right here. No matter permits this staff to develop and get higher and do the issues essential to win and compete on the highest stage.” Requested if he would take lower than the max to do it, Harden mentioned, “No matter it takes to assist this staff develop and put us up there with the very best of them.”

Morey wager massive on Harden. Now he should work out the way to make it work with him. There’s an apparent contractual center floor. Chris Paul’s deal final summer season, for instance. Paul signed a brand new four-year, $120 million deal, whereas giving Phoenix monetary flexibility. The Sixers undoubtedly would like to work out an identical take care of Harden. The query is that if Harden will go for it.

“That is going to outline Daryl,” mentioned the exec. “The commerce has not labored out the way in which he had hoped. If he messes this up and James leaves, the place does that go away them? If he overpays him, how do they construct a winner? He knew James higher than anyone. He knew his life-style, he knew the place his physique was at. He needed to have some stage of information about the place this was going. He loves the man. He’s loyal to the man. I get that. However it’s important to separate from that when making these choices.”

A major offseason is coming. Embiid—who battled by way of a torn ligament in his thumb, a damaged bone in his face and a concussion on this collection—would require no less than one surgical procedure. Possibly two. Rivers might be changed. Tobias Harris might be shopped. “[The front office] goes to do what it takes to win a championship,” Embiid mentioned. “If it means buying and selling individuals, signing new individuals, or buying and selling me, that’s what they’re going to do.”

No determination, although, looms bigger than the way forward for Harden. The correct end result may push the Sixers into the title image. The incorrect one may spoil them. 

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