After dropping 45 points in Game 1 against the Celtics, there was optimism among 76ers fans that James Harden might finally revert back to his MVP form. Now, just three games into the series, it has become quite clear that James is just not that guy anymore. After struggling in Game 2 with just 12 points on 14% shooting, it was hard for James to set the bar any lower than he did on Wednesday. yet, somehow, he was arguably worse tonight with 16 points on 23% shooting to go with 5 turnovers.
Needless to say, it was a pretty rough night for Harden, and it only validates the narrative that he’s unreliable in the postseason. All over social media, the Sixers guard was mocked after his team took the loss on their home floor.
James Harden tonight pic.twitter.com/EOhsT3LnVt
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/FeelLikeDrew/status/1654667313302450177https://twitter.com/dansbadtweets/status/1654653404092723202
It’s hard to feel bad for James at this point. Despite being paid and treated like one of the NBA’s top players for years, he always falls short when it’s time to step up, and fans have had enough of seeing him flame out in the playoffs year after year.
In this case, it’s really hurting a 76ers team that has championship aspirations with Joel Embiid.
Wasn't game 1 Harden like 5 days ago
— AFunkyDiabetic (@FunkyDiabetic1) May 6, 2023
Harden and Maxey pic.twitter.com/4rhORQ2XS0
— Smaug🌹 (@Smaug55) May 6, 2023
Sixers making Harden go back to Vegas before game 4 pic.twitter.com/fXUum2EOQt
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 6, 2023
Obviously, the 76ers are going to need more from James if they want to come out of this series alive, but it remains to be seen if he can break the cycle and finally deliver a string of great playoff games.
If not, it may be time to start asking some serious questions about Harden, not only himself but also the team environment that has built a history of postseason failure.
Doc Rivers Had No Problem Letting Harden Go To Vegas Before Crucial Playoff Matchup
Harden’s explosion in Game 1 is starting to look more like an outlier than something we should come to expect, but it doesn’t seem to worry head coach Doc Rivers all that much. In fact, he apparently signed off on Harden taking a party trip to Vegas before an important playoff game.
“It’s funny,” Rivers said. “James called me before he went, and I was like, ‘So what? Do it.’ Dennis Rodman went to Vegas. They asked me about it, and I said, ‘We had three days off.’ I told them to do whatever they want. He’s a grown man. I didn’t care.”
Whatever’s been going on in Philly hasn’t been working. Even despite playing through pain, Joel Embiid continues to deliver great performances, and nobody around him wants to step up.
If things don’t get better soon, Embiid could start looking around and reconsider his future.
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