NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia 76ers will once again head into a season with hopes of making a real NBA Finals run. Every season, they find themselves ranked in at least the top 3 in the Eastern Conference. However, after producing 3 straight 49+ win seasons, they have nothing to show for it but 2nd Round playoff exits. Is this the season they get it together?
From the outside looking in, that would be a no. Not because they don’t have talent. Hell, they have the reigning MVP in Joel Embiid and a young stud in Tyrese Maxey. After that, it’s a collection of role players, but their biggest drawback is this is another season where the 76ers are not sure about their lead guard.
James Harden is out doing James Harden things. He wants to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and Daryl Morey has yet to make that happen. While Harden has shown up to training camp, we’re pretty sure his body is there but his mind is not. And that makes the outlook for the Philadelphia 76ers season hazy. There is no direction.
The season starts next week and the Clippers and Morey are nowhere near a deal. While something may happen within the next few days, for now, it appears that Harden will begin the season as a member of a team where he doesn’t want to be.
Can The Philadelphia 76ers Win Without Harden
Can the Philadelphia 76ers rely on Harden to give his all until he’s traded? What if no deal is done until the trade deadline? The good news is, that it appears that Harden’s decision to want out has not fully fractured his relationship with his teammates. Everyone is all smiles, but for how long? This dark cloud will hang over their heads until there is some type of resolution.
When or if Harden is traded, then what? Morey wants a nice return for the 2022-23 NBA assists leader and he should. The window for this team’s championship hopes is getting smaller each season. If the Philadelphia 76ers can get a suitable package for Harden, the question is, will those pieces fit?
To further that, the team moved on from Doc Rivers this offseason and brought in Nick Nurse who was let go from the Toronto Raptors. With all the Harden drama surrounding them, the team now has to learn a new offensive and defensive scheme.
While some of their offseason moves should prove to be beneficial, was it enough? If Harden stays and is tuned in, the 76ers have a chance. By adding Kelly Orube Jr, the 76ers added offense for the 2nd unit. This was a huge issue last year. Mo Bamba brings in more size to pair with Paul Reed in the frontcourt and they went defensive with Danny Green and Patrick Beverly, but is it enough? The Boston Celtics improved greatly and the Milwaukee Bucks made a huge splash with Damian Lillard.
If Harden were to be moved, his haul would determine just how far the Philadelphia 76ers can go. Right now, no one knows. As stated earlier, there is no direction. It’s almost reminiscent of the Ben Simmons situation 2 years ago. The 76ers are being held hostage by another PG. To determine where they stand compared to the best in the East, their roster must begin to take form and with the season just a few days away, no one knows what to expect.
