The Philadelphia 76ers are not at the place they want to be but they aren’t as bad as they could be.
That’s really the best way to describe the team, which has been struggling to break through to the NBA Finals for a few years now.
Fans were expecting nothing but unparalleled success this season, especially now that Joel Embiid could rely on James Harden.
Right now, the team is 4th in the East with a 27-16 record.
That means they still have their work cut out for them if they wish for the promised postseason success.
Joel Embiid tonight:
35 PTS – 11 REB – 4 AST – 57% FGJames Harden tonight:
24 PTS – 7 REB – 13 AST – 60% FGW. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/clUhX4Wrj1
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 16, 2023
Embiid and Harden certainly have shown that they can be a great match, especially on Sunday night.
During a tight win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Embiid was good for 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists on 57% from the field.
Meanwhile, Harden was solid with his own 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists on a 60% field goal percentage.
They again showed that when they are working in tandem and connecting mentally, they are able to push the team forward in big ways.
Harden’s numbers haven’t changed too much since leaving the Brooklyn Nets for the 76ers, but his percentages have ticked up, from a field goal stat of 41% last year to 44% this year and a three-point percentage of 33% last year to 38.9% in 2022-23.
He is obviously moving in the right direction but some are still calling on him to do more.
As for Embiid, he is producing 33.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this season and is in the running to nab the MVP trophy at the end of the year.
Keep in mind that he was the point leader in the league last season and he is outdoing those numbers this time around.
Embiid and Harden showed their promise on Sunday but can their talent take Philly all the way?
