The 76ers endured disappointment within the postseason final yr however James Harden is adamant they’re a distinct staff and hungry for a title this season.
Mid 2021-22 Philly traded for Harden and so they had a second-round playoff exit because of Miami however aside from that, the staff was in shambles with accidents and chemistry points.
Some thought the guard could have been washed however this season his staff is actually a lot improved and up for a championship battle.
Harden and heavy MVP favourite Joel Embiid have mixed properly, with Harden averaging 21 factors, 10.8 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 51 video games with Embiid this common season.
Now with a profitable common season behind them, Harden believes the postseason is theirs for the taking, beginning with Round 1 towards the Nets.
“This year we had a full year under our belts’ Harden said per Lauren Rosen. “We know what to expect. We know what works, we know what doesn’t work. We know what our strengths are. We’re trying to get to those strengths as much as possible.”
From the start of March till the season finale, the 33-year-old missed eight video games attributable to achilles soreness, together with the ultimate two of the season however Sixers coach Doc Rivers mentioned the remaining was simply what Harden wanted.
“Probably a lot,” mentioned Rivers when requested how a lot the break day benefitted his 10-time All-Star. “I don’t know, I think he feels good and pretty healthy coming into the week anyway. Getting all of those days off, but definitely, I think everyone health-wise feels good, and that’s a good thing for us.”
Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs recreation between the Nets and Sixers will happen on Saturday April 15 at Wells Fargo Center.
Read extra: Philly Could Replace James Harden with Damian Lillard Next Season, Per Insider
