James Harden is still adapting to his role with the Philadelphia 76ers, as the team is preparing for the playoffs.
The former NBA MVP spoke with reporters about his performance with the Sixers after the loss to the Denver Nuggets (114-110).
“I mean, I’m just trying to figure it out. Try to just – I mean, there’s a lot going on, a lot of moving pieces throughout the game.
Obviously you’ve got Jo [Embiid] out there, trying to get guys shots and in the midst of that, you’ve got to be aggressive.
So, just trying to find that balance, it doesn’t usually take me a long time, so I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon. Just trying to find that balance of when to be aggressive and when to be a playmaker,” James Harden told the media, including Hedge Out, afterwards.
At the same time, the All-Star guard noted Philadelphia is ‘in the right direction’ ahead of the postseason, but there is still room for improvement.
“It’s difficult, but it’s go-time. We’re definitely in the right direction. I think there’s a couple of small things that we can correct, that we can do.
Now, if we didn’t have a chance of doing it or we just weren’t good enough, then that would be a problem.
But we’re more than capable and good enough to fix the problems that we have – or the adjustments that we have. And we’ve got 15 games to do it,” he added.
James Harden had 24 points (6/11 shooting), 11 assists and nine rebounds in the contest. This was the fifth double-double for Harden in his eighth game since joining Philadelphia. The Sixers are 6-2 with Harden on the floor.
Against the Nuggets, he went 11-12 from the foul line, giving him 68 free throws made during his time with the Sixers. Overall, since the All-Star break, Harden’s .895 is the second highest by any player over that time (min. 75 FTA), per NBA.com/stats.
On Wednesday, James Harden and the Sixers head to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers for the third of four games between the clubs.
Philadelphia has won the first two games against Cleveland and enters Wednesday’s game on a three-game win streak over the Cavaliers. The Sixers are third in the East, at 42-26.
