James Harden Got What He Wanted, and Now He Must Deliver

Following weeks of internal turmoil brewing with the Brooklyn Nets, star guard James Harden got what he desired all along with a blockbuster trade to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The move signaled the second change of scenery for him in less than a year, but what he hopes is his long-term NBA home. However, Harden’s decision to force his way out of Brooklyn pushes a tremendous amount of pressure on him.

“It wasn’t planned like this,” Harden said via USA TODAY Sports. “Fourteen months ago, I didn’t see myself with three different teams, but we are where we are here today and I’m happy. Last year has been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of stress, but whatever, that’s in the past. I’m excited, I’m healthy, and it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”

James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 25+ points and 10+ assists in each of his first two games with a team and he's done it twice: Nets in 2021 and 76ers in 2022. pic.twitter.com/fLhCwOSa5g

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 28, 2022

Harden knows what lies ahead of him: a crystal clear opportunity to win an NBA title on his own terms. In his first two games in a 76ers uniform, he showcased an immediate significant impact, averaging 28.0 points, 14.0 assists, and 9.0 rebounds, on 57.1% shooting from beyond the arc (8-of-14), 57.7% from the field (15-26 FG), and 94.7% from the free-throw line (18-19).

In his second game with the 76ers, he notched his 68th career triple-double and first with Philadelphia, posting 29 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. 

He became the first player in league history to post at least 25 points and 10 assists in each of his first two games with a team. Harden also became the first player in Sixers’ history to notch at least 25 points, 15 assists, and five steals in a game.

Harden’s ultimate success with the 76ers will lie with how he meshes alongside star center Joel Embiid, who is putting together an MVP caliber campaign. In the first two games alongside the star guard, Embiid has kept up his production with 35.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 47.2% (17-of-36), 33.3% from 3-point range, and 85% from the charity stripe (34-of-40). 

MVP chants for Joel Embiid at MSG. pic.twitter.com/6rsT3bBOSX

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) February 27, 2022

In his latest performance in Sunday’s win over the New York Knicks, Embiid scored a game-high 37 points, pushing him to a 76ers’ record with 18 straight road games with at least 25 points scored. Embiid has quickly become appreciative of having another elite talent next to him. 

“You should’ve seen my face every single time, especially in the fourth,” he told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Kate Scott. “The first three quarters, obviously making plays for all of us. That was probably the most wide open I’ve ever been in my career. I had a lot of easy baskets. I used to have to work for everything.

“But in the fourth quarter, the shot-making ability, shot creation — you should’ve seen my face. I was just like, ‘I’ve never had this. Nothing close to it.’ Hopefully that continues. We didn’t even play our best, but I think we can be way better than that.”

Meanwhile, Harden has quickly noticed a strong comfort level playing alongside Embiid that he felt from the get-go. That has quickly led to the two finding chemistry running through pick-and-roll situations.

“We are very comfortable,” Harden said via the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He likes to pop. He likes to roll and mix it in a little bit. So we need to keep the communication going and things will be great. I know a couple of plays, I’m just out there winging it honestly. Just trying to make the best decision in terms of playmaking ability.“

Beyond that, the 76ers are 2-0 with Harden in the lineup, granted the quality of opponents has been the greatest with the Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s still a strong positive start that Philadelphia will look to continue to build on upon.

The 10-time All-Star has what he wants with his new NBA home where he can be the lead guard once again like he was with the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, he’s playing alongside the best big man he has ever had in his career.

Embiid is playing at an MVP level that will only further ease the pressure off Harden to carry the load as the star big man has shown he can do that before his arrival. The promising play of the 76ers with their two stars leading the charge immediately leads to them being elevated into the championship picture. 

Other teams such as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets (when healthy) will present tough challenges. However, the 76ers possess one of the league’s best 1-2 punches that are more than capable of pushing the franchise deep into the playoffs. 

All that further underlines how important it will be for Harden to make the most of the opportunity he has ahead of him. The 76ers will build the team around him and Embiid to guide them forward, which the franchise hasn’t been in this position in decades.

Harden may not be the caliber of defender that Ben Simmons, but he more than exceeds him as a scorer. He is an elite offensive talent that can single-handedly take over games while being an extremely reliable go-to option late in games. 

If the 76ers don’t figure it out with Harden and Embiid leading the charge, it will be on the franchise not making the most of their talented duo. Philadelphia needs their other players to step up to provide the supporting production to take the team to the next level.

Tyrese Maxey showcased that on Sunday with 28 points in the win over the Knicks. Maxey has proven that he can be a reliable scorer that can fit in nicely behind the two stars to provide stable production.

Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey have combined for 176 points.

The only trio with more points in their first two games together is Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Arizin and York Larese (193 points in 1961).

— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) February 28, 2022

However, Tobias Harris has struggled in his brief time with Harden in the mix. He scored just six points on 2-of-9 shooting Friday’s win over Minnesota and 12 points on Sunday night. Head coach Doc Rivers voiced on Sunday that the team will continue to keep Harris involved and encouraged.

“He had great shots,” Rivers said. “Listen, we are in the win business. We don’t try to keep everybody happy, because if that’s true we’d be in the loss business.

“Tobias is going to get great shots. That’s why he was happy after the game. He was like, man, gosh, I have to take advantage of all these opportunities I got. He felt like he didn’t . But, you know, over the long haul he will.”

Ultimately, Harden’s arrival to the 76ers shifts things into high gear, and he’s well aware of that significant change. The star guard has plenty of high productive campaigns ahead, but there is no guarantee he will have a greater opportunity than he does now to compete for an NBA title.

He’s still one of the game’s best talents, while he’s playing alongside another top-tier player. There is every reason for him to find success, and increased pressure to get the job done. 

He had a tremendous opportunity with the Nets with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving but didn’t like his role and surroundings. He essentially pushed way out from a second franchise, which has put all the onus on him to figure it out in Philadelphia.

If it doesn’t work out, there is nobody else to blame aside from himself. He’s playing for the franchise he wanted to go to all along. In other words, it’s a matter of him making the most of the opportunity he has. No excuses because that ship has long sailed for him.

Plain and simple, the failure will be on his shoulders and nobody else’s.