Goes from playing outstanding in game 6 of the first round, to playing like a lazy sloth again in game 1 of the second round. Dude has another gear that he only sometimes reaches.

He's playing his way out of a supermax this off-season though, that's for sure. Best case scenario for both parties will be for him to opt into his final year ($47M) and use it as a "prove it" season before any long term deals are discussed. Morey isn't going to give him a supermax playing like this right now that's for damn sure.

JJ Reddick: "James Harden hasn't looked the same since his hamstring injury"

Spitting facts, but yes everyone knows this. He lost his explosiveness since then.

Bigger issues

1. Harden is almost 33 and lives like a college freshman still - dude doesnt take care of his body
2. He relied on his explosiveness for everything he did when it comes to scoring the basketball - he just can't do that consistently anymore

He apparently didn't start playing basketball in the off-season until training camp, because of the injury. I think this hamstring issue has haunted him since the playoffs last year when he tried to rush back in the second round to play and was clearly nowhere near himself.

Prior to that injury last year in the first round of the playoffs he was ballin out averaging 28/11/7 on 56/48/91 splits when they smacked the Celtics. He looked like an entirely different player then, and once he returned he looked half the speed and hasn't looked the same since.

Our hope now will be for him to opt into the remaining 1 year on his deal ($47M) and have him rehab in the off-season and get back to form and play well next season. That's the only way he's getting extended long term on a big deal.

This post was edited by Sixers on May 3 2022 01:04pm

This isn't true though. Harden managed to be a top player in the league despite possessing physical gifts that aren't too remarkable. It's not like he was a John Wall or Russell Westbrook. He has always been very crafty and quick with hesitations and making decisions with elite footwork, but to act like he was relying completely on his athleticism is a massive reach. The guy is skilled and has had some of the best handles, step back footwork, and body control when attacking the rim. People don't realize how strong he is and how good his body control is when finishing at the rim which is what made him so damn good when attacking.

The reality is that he couldn't afford to lose a step, and ever since that hamstring injury it appears that's exactly what he did.

This post was edited by Sixers on May 3 2022 01:20pm

You guys gonna pay him. But I told you this dude was a bum and he's old now. You laughed at me when I critized him. Dude cannot carry, is he even a strong secondary player anymore?

I'd rather see what he can do when he's 100% with a full off-season with the team and healthy. If he's still struggling next season then it would make it easier to not extend him long term.

But again, he had games like that in the first round and then played VERY well in others. I'd expect he will continue this hit or miss type of play game to game and probably have a nice game in game 2 or 3. He seems to show up and be engaged some games, and not so much in others (like last night).

This post was edited by Sixers on May 3 2022 02:03pm

You can't be that inconsistent and expect to be paid like what he wants. You would be kidding yourself if you think he's gonna sign for less. It's also not gonna get any better the following seasons. Especially since this dude loves to show up like 30lbs over weight and out of shape every season.

There's a very real possibility and expectation that he'll opt into his remaining final year worth $47M. That would be the best scenario for both sides. It gives the Sixers an opportunity to work with him during the off-season which they haven't done yet, and it allows him the opportunity to prove that it's just his hamstring injury causing these issues.

People need to remember that Harden has been a remarkably durable player throughout his career until this hamstring injury. It's new territory for him and likely has gotten to his head because he doesn't look as confident, and he's not attempting a lot of shots either. He has lacked the explosion he had before that injury, last year in the playoffs he went full blown MVP Harden and then after his injury he completely fell off and could barely move. I don't know exactly what's going on, but one would have to assume he just never rehabbed properly or recovered 100% and a full off-season and one year deal would be beneficial for both sides.

Now we are on the harden is still OP its just an injury train

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