What a weekend of basketball we just saw. James Harden and the rest of the Sixers were fantastic. Friday was one of the most fun games I have ever witnessed. We were dominant and the game just looked easy. Sunday’s game was a little closer, but the Sixers pulled it out when it mattered. Frankly, it was clear the entire game who was the better team. It felt throughout the game like the Sixers were toying with the Knicks. There were a few surprises for me while watching these first two games and a few things I am super excited about.
James Harden’s Passing
Harden has always had big assist numbers. I had always assumed that his assists came from his ball dominant style from back when he was in Houston. He would dribble until he was double or triple teamed and then pass to another player if he could not score. Watching him these first few games I am incredibly impressed with his court vision and passing ability. James Harden is a next level passer. He sees what is coming and his passes are on the money. I only saw two passes during Friday’s game that were not perfectly placed by him. I used to love Ben Simmons passing, but Harden is another level. He has better vision and his passes are always right to the chest.
Accurate passes that come where players want them have a huge impact on the likelihood of a shot being made. First, catching the ball where you want to allows the shooter to get a rhythm. Second, catching a well thrown pass allows the shooter to get it off sooner. The players in the NBA are so long and fast, an open shot goes away quickly. A perfectly placed pass gives the shooter a longer window to get their shot off. All of this doesn’t even take into account the double teams Harden creates which makes players even more open. The game is going to be easier for everyone else on the team and that is special.
Offense over Defense
Basketball is an offensive game. The days of defenses win championships is long gone. You cannot win a championship without playing good defense, but the best teams have a stellar half court offense. The combination of Harden and Embiid give the Sixers an incredible offense whenever they need it. In prior years, the Sixers would stop a run by a great defensive play and a fast break basket. This team can still do that, but they now have other options.
The pick and roll of Harden and Embiid looks almost too easy. I have no idea how teams can possibly guard it. Harden always makes the right pass and both Harden and Embiid can score at any time. It is almost funny to watch Embiid roll to the foul line and take a wide open 15 foot jumper. More than that, when the bench is in, Harden can hit a step back 3-pointer whenever the team needs a shot. Other teams are going to get some tape on these two and find more ways to cover them. Harden and Embiid will also continue to adjust. It is going to be fun watching how easy it is for this team to score for the next few years.
Still Growing
Harden and Embiid are playing together as if they have been together for years. Some of that is their elite talent and some of that is just how well they fit together. They will continue to get better together, but the thing that should really scare the rest of the league is how much better the rest of the team is going to get.
Tobias Harris is a proven 20 ppg scorer and a lethal three point shooter. He is still uncomfortable and finding his way. He will get comfortable and start to take off. Right now Tobey is passing up wide open three point shots. He is not accustomed to being this open. Once he gets comfortable (and he will) this offense is going to be that much better. Tobey and Harden are playing together with the second team. They can be lethal together. What that means is there will be less of a drop off when Embiid is off the floor and less pressure on Harden. The first two teams made runs against our bench. That won’t happen when Tobey is comfortable and playing like has has for the past 3-4 years. Tobey has the second highest scoring average over the past three years of any player that has not made the all star game. He is nearly and all star and combined with Embiid, Harden, and Maxey makes them an incredible combination.
With the exception of George Niang who has almost no conscious when he shoots, the bench players are still trying to figure it out. Shake Milton is coming off a long injury and is trying to figure out where he belongs. Shake is a great set shooter when he is open. Remember, he set a record two years ago by making 14 straight three-pointers. He just needs space to get his shot off. Harden will give him that space. We are also not yet seeing the pick and roll lob pass that Harden is famous for. I am sure they will bring that into the game and we will see more ways for the bench to score. Look for their confidence to grow in the coming weeks and you will have an idea as to how good this team can become.
Conclusion
It has been a fun two games with Harden so far. Things will only get more fun in the coming weeks. I can’t wait to watch this team come together. Barring injury, the Sixers should be considered one of the favorites to win the championship.
Posidelphia 