Recently, Clippers head coach Tyrone Lu was hotly discussed for commenting on the 76ers' two core players, Embiid and Harden, who relied on free throws to enter the league's top ten scoring list. At that time, the Clippers lost at home to the 76ers, and Lue, as Clippers coach, "exaggerated" the opponent's free throw:
"We don't have a choice, and in terms of the number of free throws per game averaged this season, Embiid is number one and Harden is third. I think it's been said that neither of them made it to the top ten without counting the free throw scores, which proves that they scored a lot of points on the free throw line. ”
More recently, the 76ers have been blamed for losing consecutive games to division-level teams like the Suns and Bucks. In particular, the performance of the team's new signing James Harden, who played smoothly in several games after coming to Philadelphia, but as the playoffs approached, Harden's performance began to decline.
Combined with Harden's performance in key moments in the playoffs in previous years, Harden quickly became the center of public opinion in this controversy. However, Harden supported Harden in the 76ers' new teammate Danny Green Line of Fire, fighting back against Tyrone Lu.
Green talked about this topic on his own podcast show. Harden and Embiid are rare talented players, he said, and even if they don't regularly stand at the free throw line, they can rank in the top ten of the season's scoring list.
Not only that, but Green also believes that this season's Green has not been treated fairly by referees, and Lu said that the situation does not apply to Harden this season: "A lot of times, Harden has three or four people hanging on his body, and they either punch him in the face or scratch his arm, but the referee doesn't show any expression. ”
And Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix also mentioned Harden's performance in recent days.
He believes Harden has the opportunity to get a 76ers extension in the offseason, which is as high as $270 million for five years. However, Chris Mannix also said that the 76ers have certain concerns, they are afraid that Harden will not be able to play a superior performance in the playoffs, and they are also afraid that Harden's decline will come sooner. Thus turning Harden's super contract into a garbage contract.
Still, Mannix is adamant that the 76ers will undoubtedly send the contract, despite their concerns.
It can be seen that the 76ers still maintain great expectations and trust in Harden. They need Harden to show tough performances in the playoffs to help them move closer to the championship!
In the past few seasons, the 76ers have been in the hands of teams such as the Hawks and Raptors, and these teams have finally reached the division finals and even won the championship. As the league's favourite candidate for MVP for several consecutive seasons, Embiid definitely wants to win more honors at the peak of his career, including championships.
Ben Simmons' performance last season made him desperate for a more determined and decisive helper.
The time has come to test Harden.