Philadelphia seems to be a bit too poor, and when James Harden had 29 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists and 5 steals, he became the first player in Philadelphia to be able to score 25+10+15+5 (points + rebounds + assists + steals) in a single game. In fact, Philadelphia is not too poor, from the 83-84 season so far, only three players in the league have had such performances, including Chris Paul 2 times, Harden 2 times, and Jason Kidd 1 time. It seems normal that philadelphia has not had players played similar performances before, even if they have had players of Aaron Iverson's level.
There is no doubt that Harden delivered a satisfactory and even proud list of results in the two games for Philadelphia, with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists in the first game, with a double rate of 58.3% and 71.4%, respectively; the second game, 29 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists and 5 steals, with a double rate of 57.1% and 42.9%, respectively. Put it this way, Joel Embiid is an MVP-level player, and Harden is the winner of MVP, and his strength is beyond doubt.
What does Harden mean for Philadelphia? Once Harden, who has projection, layups, and breakthroughs, completes the block with Embiid, the opponent's defense means disintegration, Harden can complete the end at any time, Embiid can go down, can catch the ball and shoot. Even if they were both restricted, Philadelphia and Teres Maxi, Matisse Sable, Tobias Harris and others were lurking outside the three-point line, and with Harden's vision, it would probably be easier to find them than to take a retreat step. So, Philadelphia already has the Harden effect.
Embiid was more relaxed
In the past two games, Embiid has averaged 33.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range, which is not too efficient overall, but Embiid's shooting rate after receiving Harden's pass is extremely high. In two games, Embiid received a total of 36 passes from Harden, completed 24 shots and hit 13 hits, shooting 57.1%. Harden's arrival makes Embiid easier and more efficient, he does not have to carry the ball on the offensive end to complete the individual offense, and a simple block with Harden can complete a more efficient offense. In the past two games, Embiid has scored a total of 14 goals after being assisted by teammates, including 11 from Harden, and the effect is self-evident.
Maxi and Sable are more efficient
In fact, the effect of the ball-holding core and Harden pairing is not too good, because Harden is the ball-holding core. And Harden's ball-holding core style of play tends to make supporting roles better, such as Maxi and Sable. Maxi has had 28 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in the past two games, and he has received a total of 27 Passes from Harden, completed 10 shots and hit 70% of the shots, including 2 of 4 three-pointers, shooting 50%. Sable received 12 passes from Harden in the past two games, completed 6 shots and hit 5 hits, shooting 83.3% of the time.
Harris is most stressed
In addition to Embiid and Harden, Philadelphia has a billionaire, and he is Harris. In the past two games, Harris has been in somewhat sluggish form, shooting 5-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-11 three-pointers, which is not in line with the value. In fact, Harden did not give Harris less passes, a total of 34 passes to Harris in two games, but Harris received Harden's pass and shot 2 of 12, shooting only 16.7%, and 2 of 6 three-pointers, shooting 33.3%. Compared to embiid, Maxi, and Sable's efficiency, Harris is a bit worse, and hopefully he can quickly find the form and find a tacit understanding with Harden.
It has to be said that Harden handed over a good enough report card in the first two games in Philadelphia, and Philadelphia also won two big wins. As far as the current performance is concerned, Harden's arrival will definitely make Philadelphia a champion favorite, because Philadelphia has already had the Harden effect, and I hope that he can continue this performance, and I hope that Embiid and others will cooperate with Harden more and more tacitly.
Text/Duncan's laugh