NBA playoffs, 76ers away 92-106 defeat to the Heat, the total score of 0-1 behind, Embiid was absent due to injury, Harden led the team alone, but he only shot 13 times to get 16 points, the performance was mediocre, from the Rockets to the Nets, and now the 76ers, whether Harden quit the ranks of superstars has become a hot topic of discussion among fans.
In the absence of Embiid, the only thing the 76ers can count on is Harden, a superstar, who must take on the heavy responsibility of contributing to the team during Embiid's recovery and not losing all two games, but in the game, Harden's competitive state is not at all like a superstar should have the standard, and the ability to lead the team is questioned, and the personal offense is also unsatisfactory. In the first half, he scored 12 points for a strong outbreak, but in the second half, the Heat changed the center of gravity of defense, Harden only scored 4 points, and the final quarter was not a single point.
When the team needs him, he can't play at all should have a response, after Harden joined the 76ers, all players including Embiid, hope that Harden can be back to the Rockets' Harden, play aggressive on the offensive end, can become the team has a second scoring point, but the final result is always far from the same, according to NBA statistics, harden joined the 76ers, he did not have more than 20 shots in a game, and in a year and a half of playing for the Nets, the number of shots exceeded 20, only 12, With Embiid sidelined, 13 shots, a performance that is clearly unforgivable.
The Heat's defense for Harden is more about using his old teammate Tucker single defense, and there is no multi-person bag situation like Durant and Curry, and in the face of such an easy defense, Harden does not dare to attack at all, slowly over halfway, although there is a three-point preparation for retreat, but every time he passes to his teammates, he gives up the offense many times.
What makes the team even worse is that when Harden attracts defense deficiencies, Harden's opportunities for teammates become negligible, his 10 passes to the outside shooter, the whole team did not completely hit a three-point shot, which also equaled the NBA's embarrassing record of a single playoff pass to teammates in the past 8 seasons. Harden made 16 passes in the game, five of which were hit from the outside, and the team's three-point shooting rate was only 17.6%, Green and Niang two three-pointers 12 of 1, without Embiid, the 76ers outside the feel dropped to the freezing point.
Embiid is the absolute core of the 76ers, Harden's arrival has not changed this fact, in the regular season, Embiid is absent, their record is acceptable, but that is only the regular season, to the playoffs, the opponent strengthened the defense, Embiid's weakness in the absence is infinitely magnified, plus Harden has lacked the ability to attack the city, the 76ers offensive and defensive ends have become extremely difficult, and the victory is getting farther and farther away from them.
Harden was not frustrated by the loss after the game, he said: "In this game, we got a lot of good shots, but unfortunately we didn't shoot, and then I have to play aggressive on the offensive end." Creating a number of embarrassing records, but also let Harden see their own shortcomings, he also understands that the 76ers want to win, they must open the situation on the offensive end, lead the whole team to crack the Heat's defense, if Harden has been acting as a team organizer, and does not take individual offense, then the 76ers this round of the series or will become the end of their season, I hope Harden can fulfill his promise this time, and let the fans disappointed again.