~{ James Harden's Philadelphia 76ers }~

Turmoil happening. Morey shipped his grandkids away.

 

I think Curry is the perfect role player to complement a system built around Embiid. I think Harden and Embiid desire to and ability to dominate while not being the sole-alpha will cause problems, despite having more total talent. But we'll see. Again, Harden has never managed to sustain good relationships with any other star player in his career (besides OKC when he was a bench player). He even hand-picked both Westbrook and Durant/Irving and everyone got annoyed with it within a year.

 

I know people think Morey and Harden are inseparable but wouldn't it be more drama if Morey was forced to trade Harden to another team?

 

Harden is 32 and about to past his prime...he's desperate for a ring now. This is his last chance. If he can't win one with Embiid it's over for him.

And to win one Harden has to change his game. His Houston superstar days are done. He needs to be willing to play second fiddle to Mr. Embiid who is at the peak of his career.

 

Harden will never win ****

 

so what is the system built around embiid? Seth curry? Thats the whole system?

Embiid is playing at an mvp level despite the group around him. They have no one that knows how to pass him the ball. Now they have the league leader in assists

 

This is a really good point which I've also heard from Rob Mahoney, Kevin Pelton and others. Embid and Harden are both great offensive players but they aren't the most synergistic duo. This is not to say it won't work, since they aren't terrible fits either.

Embiid is a dominant isolation/post up player, who thrives (and operates) anywhere from 20 feet in. He hardly rolls to the rim on pick and rolls (>15% of the time, substantially lower than even Aldridge). Harden is a very good playmaker, but he also thrives in isolation and with the ball in his hand. He's been among the league leader in time of poss of the ball since 2017 averaging historically high approx 9 minutes of ball control. For context, Lebron, Curry, Jokic, are around 5 to 6 minutes. CP3 around 7. KD & Kyrie around 3 to 4.

One solution would be if they function similar to CP3 and Harden in Houston (Yours & Mahoney's example). Both will take turns isolating most of the time, with some interplay here and there.

Another possible solution would be both adjusting their game. Embiid would isolate from the perimeter and high post less, while doubling his rate at which he rolls to the rim on PNR. Harden would seek less iso's/mismatches (which takes time & often multiple screens) and pass to the screener (Embiid) much earlier. Furthermore he would be a much more active cutter and off-ball spot up shooter.

It'll be very interesting to see what route Embiid and Harden chooses, since both can be effective.

 

Harden and CP3 worked so well because doubling/hedging on one would lead to a quick pass to the other, two all-time great playmakers now acting against a scrambling defense.

I'd imagine something similar in Philly, though D'Antoni got creative with the plays (remember CP3 playmaking out of the post?), I'd hope to see Doc doing something similar.

 

Confused as to why people dislike harden.

Dwight didn’t want to fit into the system and the rockets paid for it.

cp3 was perfect but got injured at the wrong time, coulda ran it back but the owner said no and when with Westbrick

Hardens coach and gm both quit cause of a shitty owner and people blame harden for leaving?? These the same people that though cousins was gonna renter his prime on the rockets LOL

quit Brooklyn cause he’s played more games than Kyrie has as a net.

Hope he wins with Joel, to shut up the haters

 

We heard this with CP3 and the Nets and both those teams were absolute offensive juggernauts. I mean the Nets were insane with all 3 guys last year.

Not saying it's going to necessarily happen here but, like you say, Harden's elite passing and playmaking make him very easy to integrate with almost anyone (except Russ, Dwight, but turns out those guys actually sucked)

 

He was playing third fiddle to Durant and Kyrie in Brooklyn. He already changed his game.As for being past his prime? Watch his scoring spike now that he only has Embiid infront of him as a offensive option unlike in Brooklyn. He is still hot a lot left. In Brooklyn his sole role was to be a passer/playmaker

 

Lord knows those guys never rubbed any of their other teammates the wrong way

Rocket River

 

I think the CP3 and Harden - comparison is true

Harden needs to make sure the 2nd unit does not lose leads and suck it up when Embiid needs a rest
Also
I hope to see Sam Cassell get in his ear about the mid range game .. . .
If that happens . .. the league will indeed be in trouble

Rocket River

 

As I stated in the post, it could definitely work. The only concern might be that the CP3/Harden Rockets and last year Nets had an abundance of space and shooting. The Rockets/Nets both played 4 out spread offense with good to elite shooters on the perimeter and a rim runner for the pick and roll. Not surprising since MDA was a coach on both teams.

Russ/Harden didn't work great (even though both posted great numbers at various points of the regular season) was because their wasn't enough space, forcing them to go even smaller.

Maxey, Thybulle, Harris, Harden Embid is a damn good lineup, but I'm not sure any of them will stretch the floor like Harris, KD, Irving or Gordon & CP3. Green playing more with Harden will definitely help as would Embiid rolling more.

One major advantage the 76ers will have is teams switching smaller players onto Embiid. This will be an easy 2 points every time if they prioritize getting him the ball.

 

I bet this lasts at least...15 months.

 

Remember Doc is a top 15 coach of all time, so he will make it work. [Snicker]

 

We did have Scottie Pippen