Harden was injured again. Today, the 76ers challenged the Lakers on the road, and in the third quarter of the game, Harden fell to the ground after a breakthrough and then walked back to the locker room with the support of his teammates. Judging from the situation at the scene, Harden could not walk normally. According to the preliminary judgment of the team doctor, perhaps Harden suffered another hamstring strain. The scene of leaving the field with this injury is familiar, quite like hardening in last year's playoffs. The problem of hamstring has become the biggest opponent in the final years of Harden's career, and may directly become a watershed in Harden's career.
The problem of hamstring strains can be large or small. However, the recovery cycle of this injury is relatively long, and achieving normal walking in a short period of time is not a big problem, but to fully recover, it may take a year and a half of recuperation. Since last year's playoff injury, even though Harden had fully recovered before the start of the season in the Nets' official statement, in fact, Harden has still been affected by hamstring injuries many times this season. Obviously, Harden's injury is caused by old injuries, and Harden's sluggish performance this season is also closely related to the problem of hamstring. But this time, Harden's problems affect not only individual performance, but also the overall season direction of the 76ers.
When he first reached the 76ers, Harden's performance was very impressive, and then he was beaten back to his original form again, because Harden was given plenty of rest before and after the trade, and the pressure on the hamstring was relieved. As Harden continued to play, playing time increased, and his right leg was overwhelmed, which led to today's problems. The 76ers got the Nets' script last year - Harden's return to the sluggish state, the overall strength of the team was affected, and the playoffs were unjustly out. In 2018, Chris Paul also suffered a hamstring strain in the playoffs, and then his performance in the 2019 season was also a mess, and after getting enough rest, he completed the brave return in 2020. According to this trajectory, perhaps Harden's problem will directly affect the length of the 76ers' two seasons. This time, Harden's problems should not be underestimated. The 76ers "leaked in the house during the overnight rain," but the Nets saw no end in sight on their way to good luck.
The Nets have been nagging about problems for a season and finally solved. According to renowned journalist Shams, multiple sources revealed that Nets guard Kyrie Irving could make his home debut for the season against the Hornets. It all stems from New York City's new vaccine policy, which allows professional athletes to not have to comply with vaccine requirements. On March 28, Irving will be given the opportunity to play at home, and now the Nets only need to wait for Simmons to return, and all problems have been completely solved. The Nets went through a turbulent regular season and eventually managed to solve all the problems in the closing stages of the season. It seems that they are completely ready this time. Although the Nets are eighth in the East and have little home field advantage to speak of, Durant and Irving's ample rest in the regular season has also become their absolute advantage. At a time when other teams are physically and mentally exhausted, the reborn Nets are full of energy, just as today, Irving and Durant scored 43 and 35 points, respectively. The scariest thing is that they can continue this offensive firepower until the end of the season.
The current situation between the 76ers and the Nets is in stark contrast. Harden is injured again, whether the 76ers can still maintain their previous willingness to renew their contract, and whether Harden and the 76ers will re-enter the contract extension negotiations. It seems that Harden, whose attendance is worrisome, is not worth a big contract of 270 million yuan for 5 years, and this injury has changed too many things. In terms of the Nets, although Simmons has not yet played, Curry Jr. and Drummond, brought by this deal, have helped the Nets solve most of their problems, and without Simmons' Nets, reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals seems to be a big problem.
Before the nets traded, the contradictions between Harden and the Nets were hyped up, and it is estimated that the 76ers expected that Harden's state is sluggish this season, and the greater responsibility lies in the Nets' lineup and the poor atmosphere within the team. But in fact, Harden's personal problems are the main reason, and the 76ers may be regretting their previous crazy pursuit of Harden. In the editor's opinion, Harden should start to lose weight, Harden's repeated injuries are really closely related to his bloated body type.