if harden can keep hitting 3s at this rate philly should be ok...if he happens to get cold from 3 then they could get in trouble...his 3pt shooting historically is not reliable especially in the playoffs but perhaps maxey continues with excellent play...imho haris could also be an x factor cause he is capable of good play...
It takes a whole team to win a chip. They all will have to play well and pick each other up at times.
This coming from a guy who never got a chip and went to several teams trying to win one and a guy who was up 3-1 and lost a playoff series. Harden is the modern day Barkley. Look in the mirror Chuck
He doesn't look good at all. Don't see how they can win with this version of Harden. He can't get by anyone.
Game 1 was solid game 2 was the Harden we saw to end the season. However if Maxey and Harris continue to catch fire like this in the playoffs Philly has a legitimate chance even with this version of Harden
I think they might get by the Raptors, but at some point he will be expected to pick up scoring against teams like Miami, Bucks etc when they swarm Embiid. So far Maxey and Harris have been taking and making all their shots, but that might not last long especially considering how inconsistent Harris has been. I don't expect Harden to find any explosiveness back this post-season, the guy is walking on mud, and most of his layup attempts are just prayers at the rim
Harden really fell off a cliff. Maybe its cuz he doesnt take care of his body the way Lebron and KD do.
One thing I noticed when Embiid was out they had someone face guarding Harden all over the court to deny him the ball. That makes the game 4 v 4 and that creates extra space and works to the favor of the offense, imo. So, that’s helpful (and I think unnecessary as Harden is no longer dynamic enough to warrant that attention) to the rest of the team and helps Philly win.
Harden seems like he is having more of a full body issue not just a lingering hamstring problem -- he's running out of energy.
I watched the entire game and I don't get the narrative that harden is washed, yes he has lost a step and can't lift like he used to but that does not mean he is washed, I think people are judging him from the peak Houston years its like to some he is just a spare now. His passing is still sublime, and I bet he can still go nuclear a time or 2. He still elevates his teammates to a high level, which is the real value so that they can play at a high level when Embid is out. That bench is very thin, which will come back and bite Philly. I will admit his drive game is lacking and that is alarming because he looks to be in the best shape I have seen in a long time.
POWERUP DEFENSE AND BIG HEAD: Tap turbo six times, hold turbo and steal, then hold the joystick up at "Tonight's match-up"
