As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for what they hope will be a deep run into the playoffs, all eyes are going to be on James Harden who essentially forced his way to Philadelphia after a tough ending with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Sixers made the big move at the deadline back on Feb. 10 and it will be on him to make this all work with Joel Embiid and get the Sixers to where they want to go. Harden will certainly be facing a lot of scrutinies although he says he doesn’t feel any pressure.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has his doubts as he believes the Sixers should have acquired C.J. McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers before he was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans:
It makes me think about the Philadelphia 76ers and why Daryl Morey should be under the gun right now. The Philadelphia 76ers had an opportunity to send Ben Simmons to Portland for C.J. McCollum and Robert Covington. Now looking at the way James Harden has looked thus far, you trying to tell me the veteran that is C.J. McCollum, what he’s capable of giving you with this perimeter shooting the imagination that you can utilize to fantasize about him paired with Joel Embiid, that was something that sneeze at? I did say that if it was someone other than Daryl Morey, almost any other GM would have strongly considered that, but Daryl Morey obviously had his eyes on the prize that was James Harden, and that compromise and that’s what I think about.
McCollum has made an immediate impact in New Orleans averaging 24.3 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 49.3% from the floor and 39.4% from deep and helping them make the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
With the playoffs set to begin on Saturday for Philadelphia, they will have to hope that Harden is able to take his game to another level and help Philadelphia get the job done in the postseason.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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