The Philadelphia 76ers were supposed to be better in Game 2 against the Boston Celtics, with Joel Embiid returning to the side. Instead, they suffered a blowout 121-87 loss, and former NBA star Charles Barkley wasn’t quiet about it.
Speaking on Inside the NBA, “James Harden plays differently when Joel Embiid is out there. In my opinion, he’s got a mental block. He’s not nearly as aggressive. That was night and day, from Game 1 to Game 2. I think it hurts Maxey, I think it hurts Tobias Harris. They play at a much more free-lance pace when he’s not there.”
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Barkley was direct when he called out Embiid for his dismal performance and believed he should have been rested for the second skirmish, giving him more time to recover and play better in Game 3 at home.
The MVP didn’t have much of an impact putting up 15 points in 25 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to overpower Boston.
Numbers suggest that Harden has 72 games with Embiid in the regular, averaging 21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists. In the seven games without him, put up 20.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 9.4 assists.
There isn’t a lot of difference on the scoring front, but what can surely be looked at is the pressure to score. Harden, a solid shooter himself, can use more of Embiid on the offensive end. Maybe, the next game at home will see Embiid recover his mojo.
Joel Embiid On How James Harden Was Crucial In Him Winning MVP
Joel Embiid was all praise for his teammate James Harden after winning MVP. The center spoke of how the guard sacrificed on the floor to help Embiid be more effective on the scoring front.
“James, I don’t even know where to start,” Embiid said, according to Sam DiGiovanni of ClutchPoints
“Since he’s been here — he won’t tell me that — but I think he kind of made his goal for me to be MVP. He has given up a lot. Obviously, I’ve always said it, he’s the best playmaker I’ve ever played with and he’s the best playmaker probably in the NBA. He’s been helping me as far as getting me easy opportunities, whether it’s to score or just be a better basketball player.”
Harden has willingly accepted his role as the team’s No. 2 and that has reaped good success for the Sixers. Only time will tell if he and Embiid can lift the silverware together.
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