Harden joined the 76ers after playing 3 games, the team all won big, the first game against the Timberwolves, the cooperation between Harden and Embiid was still slightly rusty in the first half, more singles-based, after all, as Embiid said, his career has never been so many empty opportunities, the second half of the two gradually adapted, the blocking and demolition of the wind and water, instantly let the opponent have no strength, both are players who can not use single defense restrictions, just like two cups of poison, the opponent must choose a cup, Bet on whether you can make it to the end of the game.
In the second game against the Knicks, they chose Harden's cup of poison, Harden as early as the Rockets will be the bag of the handling of the ball to the pure fire, he can always easily send the ball to Embiid's hands, when the Knicks other positions of the small defensive players come over, in the face of the offensive skills are almost inexplicable Embiid can only lose fouls, the whole game Embiid was committed 15 times, got 27 free throw opportunities, and if not fouled, Harden sent assists can be far more than 16 times.
Although the Knicks are not a strong team, but Thibodeau is a defensive-first coach, the third game will certainly not be tied up, they changed their defensive strategy, after blocking and dismantling, they fully restricted Embiid to receive the ball in the box, in the case of Harden did not show a strong offensive desire, the first half effect is really good, but the 76ers are not only these two super giants can score, the second half of the storm, the young Maxi took over the team's attack, once again broke the opponent, 3 games down, Maxi + Embiid (the emperor) + Harden's combination each got 20+ points per game, and the "Ma Daha" group was born.
Harden's arrival did not affect Embiid and Maxi at all, and even let them play more efficiently, and Harris's performance was slightly struggling, averaging 10.7 points per game in 3 games, shooting only 35.7%, in fact, before Harden came, although Harris averaged 18+ points per game and 48% shooting percentage was not bad, but his ability to fight hard battles was still questioned, after all, he signed a maximum salary, this year's salary reached 36 million, which is an absolute premium in terms of on-court performance. However, this season's trade deadline has passed, the 76ers lineup is a foregone conclusion, and it still needs Harris to play if he wants to compete for the title, and he is the biggest X factor on the team.
The 76ers and Harden are aware of this, Rivers said that it will make Harden and Harris more cooperative, help Harris to find the offensive state as soon as possible, in the small ball era, the position of the center is weakening, the front line has become the most all-round presence on the court, Harris is 2 meters 03 tall, is the perfect small forward figure, if the playoffs play a critical moment, the inside line is difficult to get the ball in the box, the guard is also limited by height, only the front line can ignore everything, especially Harris's mid-range is very accurate, It is likely to be the best option to end the game.
Harris's role is not only in the offense, Harden is a heavyweight guard, he has a bit of difficulty defending flexible guards, which is why whether in the Rockets or the Nets, the team will use more changes when playing small lineups, and when Embiid rests, compared to the elderly Millsap, Harris is the most suitable interior partner for Harden, in these 3 games, Harris's bad hand is partly because he put more energy into defense, whether it is defending Downs or Randall, he has done a good job. By the time it came to the playoffs, all the teams in the East had great forward players, and Harris was bound to play a bigger role in defense.
Last year,s Nets' biggest X-factor in the playoffs is also called Harris, he in the series against the Bucks, the offense can not score many empty shots, defense has become a breakthrough for opponents, is one of the most important reasons for the Nets to lose, the current 76ers Harris may have to face the same situation, so in the regular season the team must let him get back to form as soon as possible, come on!