James Harden has an MVP and a number of other scoring titles on his mantle – and now he is able so as to add a championship trophy.
Harden was once offered by means of the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday following final week’s blockbuster industry that despatched disgruntled guard Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets.
Requested if his new crew can win the NBA name, Harden post the shot all Sixers lovers sought after to listen to.
“Hell yeah,” he deadpanned. “My activity is to lend a hand the crew win a championship.”
In 12 seasons with Oklahoma Town, Houston and Brooklyn, the 32-year-old Harden has made 10 All-Superstar groups, gained the 2018 MVP and earned 3 scoring titles. He needs a name, and thinks it will probably occur in Philly.
“I simply knew for a long time this was once a great have compatibility,” he stated. “It is a chance of a life-time.”
Harden ignored his ultimate 4 video games with the Nets because of a hamstring damage and the primary two since becoming a member of the 76ers. He practiced on Monday and Tuesday on the crew’s coaching heart in Camden, New Jersey, and can sit down out Tuesday night time’s house recreation in opposition to Boston and Thursday’s matchup at Milwaukee.
Harden is ready to make his 76ers debut on February 25 at Minnesota.
“After the (All-Superstar) wreck, we will get issues going,” he stated.
Harden is worked up to pair with MVP front-runner Joel Embiid, who’s main the NBA in scoring at 29.5 issues consistent with recreation.
“I feel we entire every different,” stated Harden, who’s main the league in assists at 10.2. “The entire international is aware of how nice Joel has been taking part in. His presence on my own is improbable. I believe like I am the similar means so far as making my teammates higher, and we’ve got an excellent core of fellows.”
The Sixers were given Harden from Brooklyn hours sooner than the industry closing date final Thursday together with Paul Millsap for Simmons, guard Seth Curry, heart Andre Drummond and a couple of first-round draft alternatives.
The Sixers have been 34-22 on Tuesday afternoon, two-and-a-half video games at the back of Jap Convention chief Miami.
Philadelphia’s entrance workplace is elated to have a famous person to play along Embiid.
“Having an MVP and a man on tempo to be MVP if he can stick with it is in point of fact thrilling,” 76ers normal supervisor Daryl Morey stated. “You are looking at beautiful lengthy odds if you happen to would not have two nice avid gamers at that degree.”
Stated trainer Document Rivers: “Being the winner is tricky and that is the reason what we need to turn into and that is the reason why we made trades like this.”
Harden’s scoring moderate this season of twenty-two.5 issues is completed quite from his occupation moderate of 25.0, and he believes he will deliver extra than simply scoring to the 76ers.
“My activity is to lend a hand be the chief, to push guys and get that swagger out of fellows each and every night time as a result of in the end that is going to lend a hand us get a championship,” he stated.
Harden does not wait for issues taking part in along Embiid.
“We are each at a prime degree to the place we will determine it out,” he stated.