The Philadelphia 76ers have made their move. They have brought in a superstar perimeter player to team up with Joel Embiid in order to properly chase a championship in the City of Brotherly Love and it is time for the team to move forward.
The Sixers acquired James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday before the deadline in order to really boost their team up in order to contend for a title in a loaded Eastern Conference. Harden is one of the elite scorers and playmakers in this game and the expectation now is to win a title.
While Philadelphia had to give up helpful players such as Seth Curry and Andre Drummond along with Ben Simmons in the deal, the fact that they were able to get Harden makes it all worth it.
“It’s James Harden,” said Embiid. “First of all, it sucks to lose some of my teammates. Seth did such a great job for us in the year and a half he was here and Drum was as good as any backups that we’ve had in Philly since I’ve been here so it sucks to lose them, but it’s James Harden. One of the best players in the league, MVP, so it’s pretty exciting.”
Harden will be joining a Sixers team that, after knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, is now 33-22. They have been a resilient bunch all season led by Embiid and Tobias Harris while also getting strong play from Tyrese Maxey in order to get continue winning games.
Harden is expected to now enhance that.
“I think it’s a great addition for us,” said Harris. “Obviously, gotta give big props to Seth and Andre just for their efforts all year. Those are two of our brothers, they’ve been battling with us. They just gave us a huge lift all throughout this point, but the addition of James is gonna be huge for us.”
Harden is one of those players who can bring a lot of offensive talent to any team he’s on and help transform that team and give them a boost. It is expected to be the same in Philadelphia as they all move forward.
“Just how dynamic he is as a player, playmaker, his ability to score the basketball putting a real presence out there on the floor at the point guard position is gonna be big for us,” Harris added. “The whole team’s excited to just get him in here. Even Paul Millsap as well, a veteran voice and leader for our group as well so we’re excited just to see how all this thing comes together really.”
Now, the expectations are lifted. That is how coach Doc Rivers, Embiid, Harris, and the rest of the team like it. They want to be able to grow themselves as a team and continue to chase a title.
“You add someone like that, your chances to win a championship are even bigger,” said Embiid. “I’m just excited to get on with it and try to figure it out, how to put it all together as a team, and go from there.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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