Barba ready for his debut and to begin building that understanding with Embiid which will be fundamental for the title ambitions of the franchise of the city of brotherly love. “Here is everything so that I can be the best version of myself”
The X time is 2 am Italian time at the Target Center in Minneapolis. It is time for the beginning of the new era in Philadelphia, that of James Harden paired with Joel Embiid. The one in which, with Barba partner in crime of the favorite for the MVP award, the Sixers definitively return to being a contender, a team that has in its sights that NBA title that the franchise of the city of brotherly love has been missing since 1983.
Understanding
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The title teams, however, do not assemble on paper. They need to pass the field exam. For this reason, the priority of Philadelphia now is to play, to find out how much Harden and Embiid are worth together in the matches that are missing from the regular season, to understand how to become that lethal weapon that on paper they seem to be. “We have to build our understanding on the field – said Embiid during the All Star Game -. We took James Harden, one who has won mvp and top scorer titles, one who has experience. I therefore believe that it will be easy to find an agreement with him. Also because we all want the same thing: to play to win the title. We have to stay healthy, take the field together, just play together ”. It is also for this reason, to stay sane, that Harden postponed his All Star Game debut until after the All Star Game and missed the game of the stars, for which he had earned a call up as a reserve. In Cleveland he made an appearance, parading in the center of the field in the ceremony of the 75 best players in history of which he is a part and taking the stage for the presentation of Team LeBron. But his goal has always been to come back polished for the second half of the season. “Joel and I complement each other great – assured Harden in his first meeting with the media in Philadelphia -. We are both high-level players, it will be easy to find a way to play well together. Also because we have an intelligent team around us, in which everyone knows their role, coached by one of the best coaches in history “.
the new sixers
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It is inevitable that Phila will change her skin by inserting Harden into the engine. Barba will partner in the backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, second year who represents one of the revelations of the season, with Matisse Thybulle ready to help with his unique ability to make a difference in defense. “He had a great chance and took advantage of it-said Harden of Maxey-. He has incredible confidence: he always attacks, he has improved from three, he has grown overall as a player, he has learned how to make a difference. I want to help him as I can, but I am sure he will continue to improve ”. But it is obviously the agreement with Embiid that the fortunes of Philadelphia depend on. Joel has no doubts that it will work, just as coach Rivers and the Sixers leadership who pushed for the trade do not. Harden arrives knowing that he will have to play the shoulder, that Philadelphia is Embiid’s team and that his primary task will be to help and exalt him, but also to make sure that the attack does not depend exclusively on him, that Joel is not obliged. to play every game and always make a difference. The third wheel is Tobias Harris, Embiid’s shoulder to date with 18.7 points per game. “He’s a 20-point man a game and part of my job will be to make sure he does them,” said Harden. I want to get the best out of my teammates, because that’s how you win ”.
target
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Win. It is the only goal that can be given Philadelphia. Already this season. Although Harden arrived on February 10 and only debuts on the 25th, with 24 games remaining in the regular season scheduled for April 10th. The Sixers haven’t sacrificed too much depth to get a player who has to quickly figure out how to make them better, who has the talent to be that facilitator that Philadelphia needs and who managed to be even in the first half of the season with Brooklyn, closed at An average of 10.2 assists (only Chris Paul has served more) despite having always been far from his standards. “I think that here in Philadelphia there is everything to allow me to give my best, to be the best version of myself. And to allow me to concentrate on the goal we have set ourselves: winning the title ”. Philadelphia, won 35 and lost 23 so far, was already a racing team before Harden: with him the goal is to climb the last step and become the team to beat, the reference point of the Eastern Conference. The Process is a distant memory, like the Embiid-Simmons duo: now there is Harden in the Sixers engine, there is Barba next to Joel and his desire to be an MVP. There is everything you need to win. The only thing missing is to prove it in the field.
February 25 – 17:37
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