The Philadelphia 76ers are looking pretty formidable as James Harden has signed a two year extension deal worth $68 million that includes a player option in the second year. The Beard is focused on winning Championship and nothing else and his deal has allowed the Sixers to sign former teammate PJ Tucker who will add defensive muscle to this team which already has defensive stalwarts like Joel Embiid, Matisse Thybulle, etc.
The agreement with Harden has allowed the team to add another seasoned veteran and will add defensive reinforcement. Tucker will add more muscle and may help them progress in the playoff push. The 10 time All Star has shown maturity and his hunger for the title was proven when he decided to opt for a pay cut allowing the organization to improve as a unit.
Former NBA player Jalen Rose appreciated James Harden’s stance and felt that it was very good to see the three time scoring champion to be so selfless. Rose feels that it will have a major impact if the Sixers go on to win the title in the upcoming season.
Rose shared how the Eastern Conference have not had a dominating team since LeBron James left in 2018. So he feels it is time for Harden and the Sixers to rise to the occasion and they have the roster to win it all and also dominate the East.
“It’s been a revolving door (in the Eastern Conference) since LeBron (James) left (in 2018),” Jalen Rose said. “So, James Harden now has to put up or shut up with a revamped roster. … Can James Harden still play at an All-NBA level? If he does, Philly can legitimately win the East, and he’ll get a long-term deal.”
After a disappointing season with the Brooklyn Nets, Harden is back with the Sixers and this is a team where he feels that connection with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and others. He started off his Sixers journey with some brilliant outings but then he struggled with inconsistent form.
Harden is not that agile as before and even the officiating has changed a lot in the last few years so he does not get to collect fouls that he earlier did. So it has not been easy for the Beard as well. But he can rely on his playmaking and combining with players like Embiid and Maxey he can still be a major threat on the offense. So it will be interesting to see how the Sixers fare in the upcoming season especially with more defensive cover in the form of PJ Tucker who shared the dressing room with the Beard during his Houston Rockets days.
