As the Philadelphia 76ers head into the 2022-23 season, big expectations are being placed upon them. The Sixers have substantial talent on this roster led by Joel Embiid and James Harden who are joined by rising star Tyrese Maxey.
The team also made quite a few offseason additions that figure to fit well around the stars. The team needed more shooting and toughness, and that is what the front office obtained.
Despite all of that, there is one huge factor that will decide Philadelphia’s success: The Beard.
Harden put up solid numbers in 21 games: He averaged 21 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 21 games. However, he shot just 40.2% from the floor and 32.6% from deep. His 41% field goal percentage for the overall season was his lowest since his rookie season in 2009-10.
How Harden bounces back is the biggest question the Sixers have to answer in the 2022-23 season per Bleacher Report:
Last season, James Harden averaged his fewest points since becoming a full-time starter in 2011-12. His 41.0 field-goal percentage was his lowest since his rookie year. His 33.0 three-point percentage was the worst of his career.
So, what happened? Was the now-33-year-old finally showing his age and struggling to compensate for a burst forever lost to the history books? Or were these merely the unsightly markings of a hamstring issue that pestered him in parts of the past two seasons?
If this was injury-related, then it’s something he can overcome. If he’s simply on the decline, then Philly’s championship formula may never compute.
There is no question Harden is the key to the Sixers and their success this season. Philadelphia knows what it will get out of Embiid and the others, but The Beard needs to at least get close to who he was before for the Sixers to get to a championship.
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