MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 10: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts towards the Miami Warmth through the first half in Sport 5 of the Jap Convention Semifinals at FTX Enviornment on Might 10, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Pictures License Settlement. (Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)
For James Harden, all of it comes all the way down to this season. His NBA profession is successful regardless, however this would be the yr that makes or breaks his legacy.
Harden arguably consigned himself to that chance when he inked his new cope with the Philadelphia 76ers. Whereas the contract is for 2 years, the deal features a participant possibility for the 2023-24 season, which means the star guard can do his free company dance another time subsequent summer time.
Harden may choose into the deal after this season and get his payday. However all of the chips are on the desk to make one thing occur now or to finish the partnership with the Sixers, which might be his final likelihood to win a title as a number one man.
On the subject of his legacy, the 2022-23 season is essentially the most important of an extended profession for Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden.
The star has began seasons because the second-fiddle (or worse) loads of instances in his profession, however the roles really feel extra clearly outlined than ever in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid is the alpha, the MVP candidate. Harden is the distinguished sidekick.
Harden has stated that that is the place he desires to win, and successful takes sacrifice. It was a problem for the entire stars to make the sacrifice in Brooklyn, resulting in the destruction of the trio of Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant.
At this level, Harden is growing a repute for stuffing stats however not having the crew accolades to point out for it. He’s a 10-time All-Star, one-time MVP, and three-time scoring champ. He has no titles to point out for it. He hasn’t even made the NBA Finals within the final decade.
There’s a chance to vary that with the Sixers, although. Lots of the different contenders within the convention are in a state of flux, which can not change anytime quickly, relying on whether or not or not Durant will get dealt. It’s not laborious to check the Sixers popping out of the East.
Harden must play higher than he did when Philadelphia’s season ended final yr. In Sport 6 of the Jap Convention Semifinals, he scored solely 11 factors and had 4 turnovers. He failed to attain within the second half.
His repute has all the time been tied to his monumental beard and his off-court actions. There’s nothing flawed with that – he’s earned his cash, and he ought to dwell as he pleases.
However Harden isn’t going to get many extra probabilities to win an NBA title. The best way he performs entails absorbing loads of contact and he’s already going to be 33 years outdated at the beginning of the following season. His time as a star participant has a shelf life.
When Harden re-signed with the crew, the Sixers released a statement that included the star saying, “That is the place I need to be. That is the place I need to win, and I feel we now have the items to perform that aim.”
Harden is likely to be proper concerning the items. Embiid and Tobias Harris are nonetheless round, whereas Tyrese Maxey’s stature is rising within the league. Harden’s pay lower additionally allowed Philadelphia to usher in a stable veteran presence in PJ Tucker.
The Philadelphia 76ers have fallen quick within the postseason again and again. They aren’t essentially the following Utah Jazz, however one has to surprise if their current core can recover from the hump. If not, a lot of the blame will once more fall on Harden, one other repute hit for the star.
The laborious fact is right here: That is an important yr of James Harden’s profession.
