Presentation for RDS and Sportish of the first two games of the series between the Raptors and the 76ers: Saturday 6 p.m. and Monday 7:30 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA – James Harden said he was “ready to play”.
The Philadelphia 76ers are apparently hoping “The Beard” will be ready – not just for the Eastern Conference first round vs. the Toronto Raptors – but by the end of the NBA playoffs in June. .
That’s why the Sixers got him.
However, since the big deal two months ago, Harden and partner Joel Embiid have struggled to develop their chemistry.
Admittedly, some of the statistics are impressive: Harden is one of only seven players in 76ers history to have eight or more games with at least 20 points and 10 assists. His success rate from the free throw line is 89%. And he allowed “Philly” to forget the departure of Ben Simmons.
Harden, however, suffered a recession in attack in the last month of the season. He made just 15 of 45 shots and was reduced to seven three-pointers in 24 attempts – not exactly the NBA MVP numbers for 2018.
In addition, he failed to show the explosiveness he had under the basket in the best seasons of his career and Harden, against all odds, influenced his teammates more instead of taking on one of the best one-on-one scorers in history.
He can get an energy boost in Game 1 against the Raptors on Saturday in Philadelphia.
And if he feels pressure in his first playoff game with the Sixers, then Harden hides it well.
“Pressure? No. I feel good,” Harden said simply.
The problem has been fixed.
Therefore, Harden will have to step up his level of play in the playoffs if the 76ers want to win their first NBA championship since 1983.
