MILWAUKEE — The Philadelphia 76ers walked onto the Fiserv Forum court on Thursday morning to prepare for their first shootaround of the season. They did so without an important future Hall of Famer.
James Harden, who is not traveling with the team to either Milwaukee or Toronto to open the season, is working through a trade request. The Beard showed up to practice on Wednesday after not being with the team due to a personal matter, but the Sixers have asked him not to travel with the team as they ramp him up back home.
As the Sixers prepare for the Milwaukee Bucks and the new season, Tobias Harris wants his teammates to focus on one thing: themselves.
“I just think understanding that, it’s cliché as it gets, but truth be told, you can only control what you can,” Harris said. “It’s making sure that we understand that we got a job to do and we need to be at our best for it. Every day figuring out every time you step on the basketball court whoever’s here, whoever we got, let’s go do it.”
A little pre-shootaround vibe #Sixers pic.twitter.com/NTYPqD7N8f
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 26, 2023
The Harden situation has the potential to tear a team apart. There have been many twists and turns and many potential distractions. However, the Sixers are not focused on that.
“Just staying in the moment of it,” Harris added. “Not getting caught up in headlines, whatever you wanna call it, and just staying locked in. That’s the key.”
Even without Harden, the Sixers still have a great deal of talent led by reigning MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey. There is the reliable Harris and the new system of coach Nick Nurse.
“I think it’s gonna be good,” Harris said of his role under Nurse. “Obviously, depending on circumstances, it’s obviously a different type of flow, a different type of style which I’ve been enjoying thus far. It’s been figuring out my spots and how to be aggressive, but at the same time, figuring how we can play to the best of our ability to win games.”
Harris ended up shooting 50.1% from the floor and 38.9% from deep in the 2022-23 season under former coach Doc Rivers. He should be able to keep those same shooting numbers under Nurse.
“For me, putting in the work and being ready to show the system, the work that I’ve put in, and just executing,” Harris finished. “Taking my time, making my shots, and just playing in the flow of the game.”
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