” I have probably never been so distinguished in my career!” This was what Joel Embiid said after the Sixers’ victory over Wolves, and the first game of James Harden. The Cameroonian pivot, favorite for the title of MVP, did very badly under the panels with his 34 points and 10 rebounds, while Harden was very close to the triple-double with 27 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds. Proof that the two players have found each other, 9 of Harden’s 12 passes are baskets from his pivot.
“I don’t want to get too fired up… But James is a basketball genius” launches Daryl Moreywho wanted his former back for two seasons. “He wanted to play with Joel for a long time. I think he always imagined that Joel would be the perfect player to combine with him. “
It’s only a meeting, but their agreement is very promising, and such a duo is lethal in attack. We found the Houston Harden, much more comfortable than the Nets with this inner presence that allows him to make the difference on the “drive” or the “pick-and-roll”. We remember the efficiency of the Harden-Capela tandem, and with Embiid, it’s on a whole new level. Both because physically, Embiid is a monster, but also because technically, he can attack the circle from behind or facing the basket, but also create boulevards by moving away from 3-pointers.
“It was awesome” summarizes Embiid. “As I said, at such a level, it has never happened at any time in my career. As you know, I always had to create for myself. But it’s not just about me. It’s also about our team. Any attention that James gets, or that I get, is going to make our teammates better, and that’s the point, because we can’t win alone. We are going to need everyone. … It’s about giving them that confidence, because when we get to the playoffs, we’re going to need them. “
“Just because we found ourselves in this situation doesn’t mean I’m a bad teammate”
The proof with Tyrese Maxey, very good this night in the role of the 3rd arrow of the attack with his 28 points. The young fullback brings speed and he destabilizes the defense as Harden and Embiid slow down the game further. We’ve even seen Harden screen him, and this trio is going to do some serious damage as they seem to really complement each other. One thing is certain, Harden could not have imagined a better start.
“Obviously I had things to prove” he answers. “We all have things to prove. Tonight was a very good start, but the road is long, and we will do our best every day to create automatisms and be ready when the time comes. “
A Harden who also answered questions about his attitude in a group, and about the rumors that made him a bad teammate after his two induced transfers in 12 months, to Houston then Brooklyn.
“I don’t know why… It’s the media that says that. I feel like one of the best teammates possible, on and off the pitch. Just because we got into this situation doesn’t mean I’m a bad teammate. Personally, I just need to do what’s best for me, and make sure I’m happy. I am happy, and even extremely happy! “
| James Harden | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2009-10 | OKAY | 76 | 23 | 40.3 | 37.5 | 80.8 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.9 |
| 2010-11 | OKAY | 82 | 27 | 43.6 | 34.9 | 84.3 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 12.2 |
| 2011-12 | OKAY | 62 | 31 | 49.1 | 39.0 | 84.6 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 16.8 |
| 2012-13 | HOO | 78 | 38 | 43.8 | 36.8 | 85.1 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 25.9 |
| 2013-14 | HOO | 73 | 38 | 45.6 | 36.6 | 86.6 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 25.4 |
| 2014-15 | HOO | 81 | 37 | 44.0 | 37.5 | 86.8 | 0.9 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 7.0 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 27.4 |
| 2015-16 | HOO | 82 | 38 | 43.9 | 35.9 | 86.0 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 7.5 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 29.0 |
| 2016-17 | HOO | 81 | 36 | 44.0 | 34.7 | 84.7 | 1.2 | 7.0 | 8.1 | 11.2 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 29.1 |
| 2017-18 ★ | HOO | 72 | 35 | 44.9 | 36.7 | 85.8 | 0.6 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 8.8 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 4.4 | 0.7 | 30.4 |
| 2018-19 | HOO | 78 | 37 | 44.2 | 36.8 | 87.9 | 0.9 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 36.1 |
| 2019-20 | HOO | 68 | 37 | 44.4 | 35.5 | 86.5 | 1.0 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 34.3 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 44 | 37 | 46.6 | 36.2 | 86.1 | 0.8 | 7.1 | 7.9 | 10.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 24.6 |
| 2020-21 * | BRK | 36 | 37 | 47.1 | 36.6 | 85.6 | 0.8 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 24.6 |
| 2020-21 * | HOO | 8 | 36 | 44.4 | 34.7 | 88.3 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 10.4 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 24.8 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 44 | 37 | 41.4 | 33.2 | 86.9 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 10.2 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.8 | 0.7 | 22.5 |
| Total | 921 | 35 | 44.3 | 36.2 | 85.9 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 25.0 | |
