NEW YORK — The Philadelphia 76ers put the league on notice when they made the big deal on deadline day by acquiring future Hall of Famer James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets. The addition of Harden to Joel Embiid vaults the Sixers back toward the top of the East.
Pair those two with starters Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle, and that creates one impressive starting lineup. Embiid, Harden and Maxey have scored 20-plus points in each of their first two games together.
Before the Sixers took on the New York Knicks on Sunday, a game the Sixers won by 16, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about Philadelphia’s new starting lineup. He believes it can be one of the best in the league.
“No question,” said Thibodeau. “I think Embiid, obviously, MVP-caliber player, as is Harden, and then the development of Maxey, if you overlook a guy like Harris who’s been terrific throughout his career, and then Thybulle fits the group perfectly. He gives them a wing defender and a lot of activity so it’s a well-balanced team.”
Embiid had 37 points and he shot 23-for-27 from the free-throw line on Sunday as he helped foul out both Knicks starter Mitchell Robinson and backup big man Jericho Sims. New York did not have any answers for Embiid as the big fella continues to dominate.
On top of Embiid’s 27 free throws, Harden took 10 of his own. Philadelphia shot 44 as a team and that was another problem for Thibodeau, the Knicks and the entire league to now deal with.
“Embiid, back to the basket, off the dribble shooting, a very dynamic big,” added Thibodeau. “Then it’s the same with Harden. He gives them a different way to break the defense down. You put the two of them together, it puts a lot of pressure on you.”
The Sixers will have to continue to grow the new starting unit in the final 22 games before the playoffs.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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