CAMDEN, N.J. — Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden is on his way to the Hall of Fame. Nobody is ever going to deny that.
However, it was clear he wasn’t the same explosive player once he was traded to the Sixers at the deadline in 2022. Harden averaged 21 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 21 games, but it was clear he didn’t have the same lift on his jumper or explosion to the basket that has made him the Hall of Fame player.
Harden shot just 40.2% from the floor and 32.6% from deep in those games. Those numbers are not on par with his career shooting percentage of 44.2% and 36.1%. It was clear that the nagging hamstring injury was slowing him down a bit.
“It was very difficult,” he opened up at media day on Monday. “A lot of tough times, a lot of dark moments which I never really went through. I was always healthy playing the game of basketball, but I’m in a really good space right now and I feel like I’m back to where I need to be and I’m supposed to be. The feeling is great.”
Considering the stature of Harden and the player he is, The Beard gets talked about in the national spotlight on a regular basis. That is what comes with the territory of being somebody who is a superstar.
“I’m, for the most part, to myself,” he stated. “I don’t really listen to media or the talk or their little shots and jabs at me or whatever the case may be. I never respond just because I know who I am. I know what I’m about, but mentally, it was very, very difficult for me because I’m in love with the game of basketball. If the money wasn’t involved, I’d be playing basketball and before the injury, I think everybody knows that.”
Everything the Sixers do in the coming season will come down to how well Harden bounces back and how he continues to mesh with his new teammates. The fact that he has gotten through those dark times and he is now feeling good, he should be able to help the team in a big way out on the floor.
“Me, personally, coming here last year, end of the season, 21 games, I feel like this is my first full year,” he finished. “I’m excited.”
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