At the start of the fourth leg of Game 6 between the Sixers and Heat, Doc Rivers was tired of trying to get his team back and asked for his competitive spirit. “fight because of this, ”pleaded Rivers. “Come on guys, fight They did not. Miami’s lead rose to 19, then 20 Philadelphia before closing the gap in the offseason, ending the game – and the season – with a 99-90 defeat.
At this point, the Rivers spoke to anyone who was on the Sixers team. His message, however, must be directed to James Harden. In the big game of the Philadelphia season, Harden played as if he did not want to be present. He tried nine shots, less than anyone in the Sixers from the lineup but Danny Green — who left the game three minutes later with a knee injury. In Harden’s third installment he had more (two) times than firing. He also tried one fourth step. He didn’t try to throw for free. Its final line: 43 minutes, 11 points, nine assists, four times.
“We haven’t had a sad song tonight,” Rivers said. “I didn’t like the way we played … I thought we had a lot.”
And Harden?
“‘Listen,” Rivers said. “I do not want to hold this referendum on James.”
All right. But the way Philadelphia treats Harden this summer will determine the future of the franchise. The Sixers set a precedent to buy Harden. He sold Ben Simmons, their most popular weapon. He also included Seth Curry, a 31-year-old sharp guard named Joel Embiid really loved to socialize with. They threw ballots from the start. Team President Daryl Morey believed Harden was the missing piece, and he rode a Philadelphia carriage for him.
And now the 76ers front office has a choice to pay him.
When Philadelphia sold Harden in February the hope was that the Sixers would lock Harden on a $ 250 million five-year contract north. Morey’s love for Harden is well known. He acquired Harden from Oklahoma City in 2012, empowered him and saw him grow into an MVP. Morey often refers to Harden as the most distinguished player in NBA history and believes the possibility of playing with big goals like Embiid – the type of players Morey and Harden negotiated but could not bring to Houston – could give him strength.
It didn’t. Harden scored 21 points in each game in the all-time high. Its field targets (40.2%) and three-quarters (32.6%) were low-income. Their numbers in the playoffs were the same. In every outstanding game Harden played (22-point, 15-assist effort in Game 6 against Toronto, 31-point explosion in Game 4 against Miami) there were twice as many. In Philly’s last two games, Harden tried to shoot 22, scored 25 points and converted approximately eight (eight) as assists (13). When former Sixer Jimmy Butler picked up his team – “I still don’t know why we left him,” said Embiid, who was a salty man – Harden was just staring at him.
When asked to explain his aggressive absence in Game 6, Harden said, “When we were wrong, the ball didn’t come back to me.”
It is not that simple. Embiid knows. “Everyone is expecting a Houston James Harden,” Embiid said. “That is no longer the case. He is a very playful player. “Harden knows. The rest of the NBA knows.” YES. “You can see it in his architectural skills, the artwork he often makes. He has no explosion. People are not afraid to drive and score. They argue that backlash often. He’s not the same player.”
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Sali, but Harden, who turns 33 this summer, has entered the game season with energy. He has until June 29 to decide the final year of his contract, an idea that could give him $ 47.4 million next season. They can bet on their own, that a healthy summer and a full training camp with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle will bring a very rewarding season. It’s dangerous – Harden’s problems have been getting worse, and he could get injured or start over again – but with a stick he can use in negotiations.
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Why does Philadelphia do it? Allowing Harden to come in and play his contract makes the business more meaningful. But Harden has successfully left both teams when he did not like what was happening. Philadelphia, keen to extend Embiid’s MVP seasons, does not want to be third.
What if Harden makes better money? He has six weeks to look after the site – avoid the annoying cry, unless you are one of those who think the one-minute agreements for free will negotiate after 60 seconds open – and see what’s out there. The market will not be stable. But what if Houston, home of Harden’s most successful seasons, wants to reunite? What if Portland, who is eager to add more star performances alongside Damian Lillard, opens the room?
Could Philadelphia be in danger of losing Harden in vain?
For his part, Harden said he wants to be with the Sixers next season. Asked specifically if he would choose the final year of his contract, Harden said, “I’ll be here. Anything that allows this team to grow and perform well and do what it takes to win and compete at the highest level.” what it would take to grow this team is to give us the best. “
Morey is a big bet on Harden. Now she needs to know how to work with him. There is an obvious contractual basis. Chris Paul, for example, did last summer. Paul signed a new four-year deal, $ 120 million, while giving Phoenix economic flexibility. The Sixers would no doubt love to make the same partnership with Harden. The question is whether Harden will go.
“That means Daryl,” the official said. “The sales did not go as planned. If they confuse this and James leaves, where does he leave them? If he pays too much, how can he build a winner? He knew James better than anyone else. He knew his life, he knew where his body was. He had to have a lot of knowledge about where this was going. She loves the boy. She is loyal to the boy. I feel that. But you have to get rid of it when you make decisions. ”
A crucial time is coming. Embiid – who struggled with a ligament that had torn his finger, a fractured bone in his face and a sprained ankle – will need one operation. Maybe two. Rivers can be modified. Tobias Harris could be bought. “[The front office] they did what it took to win the competition, “said Embiid.”
There is no choice, however, that is greater than Harden’s future. Good results can push the Sixers into the title race. The wrong person can destroy them.
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