As the world keeps its eyes on the Celtics, Bucks, and Heat, another team in the East is preparing to shock the world this season.
With James Harden and Joel Embiid, the 76ers have the talent to bring home a title this season — but it’s going to take more than that to be successful.
For Embiid, good health and good shooting will go a long way. But for Harden, being the aggressor he was in Houston is what will ultimately help this team the most, and that’s exactly who Doc Rivers want him to be.
76ers Coach Doc Rivers Tells James Harden To Be More Of A Scorer
On Twitter Thursday night, a clip went viral of the Philly coach having a moment with James Harden, where he’s heard practically begging the superstar to be more aggressive offensively.
“We gotta get you in what you want. You can’t just say you’re a facilitator. I think you’re a scorer and a facilitator and it’s gonna take time to figure it out. But we need you to by the aggressive James you were those last 5 minutes. It’s gonna take a while, but when it clicks James, we’re gonna be unbeatable.”
Doc Rivers tells James Harden that Philadelphia needs him to be more aggressive on offense
"When it clicks James we're going to be unbeatable"👀
(h/t @AhnFireDigital ) pic.twitter.com/fo7t8OyBld
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 29, 2022
A few years ago, it would have been weird to hear anybody tell Harden to be more aggressive on offense. At one point, he was the NBA’s leading scorer and widely considered its best bucket-getter.
But since leaving Houston, Hardej hasn’t been that guy. Besides huge statistical drop offs, his speed and condition just didn’t look up to par.
But now that he’s healthy, and in the best shape of his life, there is a sense that he’s ready to make good on the promise he made to Sixers fans a while ago.
“This is where I want to be. This is where I want to win, and I think we have the pieces to accomplish that goal,” said Harden in a statement after joining the team. From my first day with the 76ers organization, the team and the fans have helped me feel at home here in Philadelphia. I’m excited to build off of last season and I can’t wait to get out on the court with the guys and start this journey.”
Obviously, the jury is still out on how good this Sixers team can be. We saw some flashes of their potential last season, but it was really only the beginning of what they could do together.
Ultimately, their success depends upon what version of Harden they get this season — and Doc knows exactly what kind he wants to see.
