In Philadelphia, James Harden is absolutely focused on delivering a productive season for the 76ers. Now, more than ever, his future in the league depends on how he starts (and ends) this upcoming season.
So with so much at stake in this campaign, it’s no wonder that the 1x MVP is making sure to be extra ready for the battles to come. As Harden told reporters this week, he is finally free from the storm of misfortune that clouded him and the 76ers all season long.
James Harden Explains Why Last Season Was A Fluke
In a recent chat with the media, Harden took a minute took reflect on his recent past and offered up his own explanation for how things turned out so wrong and how hard it was for him to adjust on the fly.
“I’m probably one of the most unselfish players this league has ever saw,” Harden said. “And you go into a situation in Brooklyn with KD and Kyrie where they didn’t need me to be a 30 point scorer. So basically a facilitator, finding ways to impact the game. Then being trade here last year, Joel, he should have won MVP but he was playing extremely well so you can’t come in here expecting to average 30 points, so again, finding ways to impact the game.”
"I'm one of the most unselfish players probably that this league has ever saw"
James Harden says this season will be different than previous years.@BGeltzNBA | @SamMitchellNBA | @sixers pic.twitter.com/qvU0wQD3jH
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 29, 2022
According to James, it was a firestorm of bad luck and misfortune that held him back. Now that he’s in new territory, with a proper off-season to prepare, he’s thinking that things will be different this time around.
Of course, most importantly of all, Harden has good health in his favor, which he will need if the 76ers want any hope of competing.
“Finally, for the past two and a half years, it’s been a struggle for me because I wasn’t able to be who I know I am. So all those that in a pile was very frustrating — but you get a full season of health, if working out and getting back to where I need to be…”
Of course, it’s not just Harden’s health that Sixers fans have to worry about. Joel Embiid is a guy who has an even worse track record for injuries and he’s in more danger of missing time than anyone else.
It will be interesting to see how the 76ers perform this season, and if things finally start to go their way after so much turmoil.
