Team chemistry has been a problem in recent years with the Philadelphia 76ers, whether it be with Ben Simmons or, to a lesser extent with Jimmy Butler. The team has always had so much talent in the Joel Embiid era, but they always tend to fall short for one reason or another.
They seemed primed for a deep playoff run this past season after acquiring James Harden, but his play deteriorated as time went on, and they were knocked out by the Miami Heat in the Conference Semifinals. Despite that loss, which meant the Sixers still haven’t made it to the Conference Finals since 2001, all of their big pieces are back, and so is Doc Rivers. They managed to squeeze in one notable free agent as well in PJ Tucker, and he was out partying with his new teammates recently.
James Harden, Embiid, and PJ Tucker with Meek Mill 🍾 (via tpizzzle/IG) pic.twitter.com/DHzdt6FOsv
— Overtime (@overtime) July 4, 2022
It doesn’t look like chemistry is going to be an issue this time around as they partied with Meek Mill, and Sixers fans will be hoping for a championship afterparty around this time next year. The key to finally breaking through will be James Harden’s play, and while he is yet to re-sign with the team, he is expected to rejoin on a shorter-term deal soon.
Harden was criticized by many as he averaged just 18.6 points per game in these past playoffs, and if he doesn’t step up next season, then playoff misery awaits the Sixers yet again. They have all the pieces you need on paper to succeed, an MVP caliber big in Embiid to go along with very good pieces in Maxey, Tobias Harris, and now Tucker, so it is up to Harden to fulfill his end of the deal. He will have a full offseason with the team under his belt this time, and there can be no more excuses going forward.
