CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Philadelphia 76ers have the benefit of having James Harden from the beginning of the 2022-23 season. They acquired the future Hall of Famer from the Brooklyn Nets at the deadline in the 2021-22 season, and he played 21 games for the Sixers ending the season.
Harden made an impact. He and Joel Embiid formed the No. 1 pick-and-roll duo in the league in those 21 games. Now that the star duo has a full training camp, coach Doc Rivers wants the two of them to be a dominant force on the floor.
Embiid acknowledged after Thursday’s training camp practice that there is still work to be done for the two of them.
“It’s good,” said Embiid. “He’s been great about it. We just gotta work on timing, spacing around those types of actions, but I’m sure when we start playing games, we’re gonna figure it out. We’re gonna be fine.”
Harden is also working his way back from a nagging hamstring injury so he is working on trying to get back to who he was before the injury and be the leader out on the floor for Embiid and the rest of the Sixers.
“Him controlling things out there and putting us in our spots,” said Tobias Harris of Harden. “He’s finding his rhythm day after day, and he’s just playing his game. Doing what he’s capable of doing and helping this whole group so he’s been great.”
Ultimately, training camp is about team building and being sure they are in a good position moving into the season. Harden’s play is a big concern for Philadelphia, but he isn’t the only one out there making mistakes. It’s the entire team.
“Everybody has been doing a good job,” Embiid added. “Everybody’s been in the flow of playing as a team and right now, we’re making a lot of mistakes, but everybody’s been good.”
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