NBA Playoffs – Five questions about the Philadelphia 76ers: Philly threatens James Harden with super meltdown

The Philadelphia 76ers have failed in the Western Semifinals for the second straight year. The way the team handled this could have a huge impact on the future of the franchise. At the center of this is James Harden, around whom many questions entwine.

How do you rate the Sixers’ season?

First of all, we have to give Joel Embiid a shout out here. The center played an incredible season and would have become the deserved MVP if a certain Nikola Jokic hadn’t gone completely nuts. Nevertheless, the Cameroonian became the first international player to take the scoring crown and was also the first center in 40 years to have more than 30 points per game.

And he delivered in the playoffs too. Despite injuries to his thumb, face and a concussion, he gave 110 percent every night and was single-handedly responsible for the six-game series against Miami. Without him, the Sixers were literally paraded by the Heat in the first two duels.

Although the Sixers have two other players with a Max contract in addition to Embiid, Tobias Harris and James Harden, they could not compensate for the absence of their superstar at all. And that should alarm those in charge in the city of brotherly love more than anything else.

After the blockbuster trade that brought Harden to Philly, the euphoria was great at first. The first four games were won and some overzealous tongues were already raving about ShaKobe 2.0. But half of the following fourteen games were lost and the Sixers fans were grumpy as usual.

It was clear to everyone involved from the start that the Sixers’ season would be an unusual one. The posse around Ben Simmons was unique to date and, in addition to the trade, contributed to the Sixers never being able to get into a real rhythm. The seven-game winning streak was the shortest of any top team, and the principle was often simple: if Embiid played well, the Sixers played well.

Just Embiid is not enough for the Sixers

But that alone is simply not enough. As we see time and time again, especially in the playoffs, it’s the role players who make the difference – and there are simply not enough of these difference players in Philly. Harris is making $32 million a year in a spot-up shooter role he’s clearly uncomfortable with, Danny Green at 34 (and now injured) is nowhere near the 3-and-D -Star of the past years.

There is also a lack of shooting. Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton are super streaky, Georges Niang was a total failure after a strong Toronto series against Miami and Matisse Thybulle and Paul Reed are not known for their offensive anyway. The only bright spot is Tyrese Maxey, who proved in the playoffs that he doesn’t shy away from the big stage and has what it takes to be a star in this league.

The fact that Philly “only” got fourth place in the East in the end is tolerable in view of the great competition, with only two more wins they would have even become a top seed. Rather, those responsible must ask themselves whether the Embiid-Harden construct has a future.

NBA Playoffs: Sixers vs. Heat – The series at a glance