Basketball news: James Harden already has an MVP award and multiple scoring crowns under his belt, and he’s ready to add a championship trophy to his collection.
Following last week’s bombshell trade that sent disgruntled guard Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets, Harden was introduced by the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
When asked if his new club has a chance to win the NBA championship, Harden hit the shot that all Sixers supporters wanted to hear.
He deadpanned, “Hell yeah.” “It is my responsibility to assist the team in winning a title.”
Harden, 32, has made 10 All-Star teams, won the 2018 MVP award, and won three scoring crowns in his 12 seasons with Oklahoma City, Houston, and Brooklyn. He wants a title and believes it is possible in Philadelphia.
“I just knew this was a fantastic fit for a long time,” he remarked. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Harden missed his final four games with the Nets and his first two with the 76ers due to a hamstring ailment. He practised on Monday and Tuesday at the team’s training facility in Camden, New Jersey, and will miss the team’s home game against Boston on Tuesday night and the game against Milwaukee on Thursday.
On February 25, Harden will make his 76ers debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“We’ll get things rolling after the (All-Star) break,” he said.
Harden is looking forward to teaming up with MVP favourite Joel Embiid, who leads the NBA in scoring with 29.5 points per game.
“I think we complete each other,” said Harden, who is leading the league in assists at 10.2. “The whole world knows how great Joel has been playing. His presence alone is unbelievable. I feel like I’m the same way as far as making my teammates better, and we have a great core of guys.”
Last Thursday, the Sixers acquired Harden and Paul Millsap from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Simmons, guard Seth Curry, centre Andre Drummond, and two first-round draught picks.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Sixers were 34-22, two and a half games behind Eastern Conference leader Miami.
The front office in Philadelphia is ecstatic to have a superstar to play alongside Embiid.
“Having an MVP, and a guy who is on pace to be MVP if he keeps it up,” 76ers general manager Daryl Morey said. “If you don’t have two great players at that level, you’re looking at pretty long odds.”
“Being the champion is hard,” said coach Doc Rivers. “That’s what we want to be, and that’s why we made moves like this.”
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