Embiid: 'Everybody expected Houston Harden, but that's not who he is anymore'

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and guard James Harden. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid: 'Everybody expected Houston James Harden, but that's not who he is anymore'

By Adam Stites | Last updated 5/12/22

The Philadelphia 76ers' season ended Thursday with a 99-90 loss at home to the Miami Heat that was never close in the second half.

Particularly troubling in the loss for the 76ers was the performance of James Harden, who took just two shots and scored zero points in the second half. Harden, who was acquired in a February trade involving Ben Simmons, explained that the ball simply didn't come his way because of the way the offense was running. 76ers star Joel Embiid said the problem was the public's expectations of Harden.

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"I'm sure, since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden, but that's not who he is anymore," Embiid said. "He's more of a playmaker. I thought at times he could've been — all of us — could've been more aggressive."

Harden averaged 21 points, 10.5 assists, and 7.1 rebounds during 21 games with the 76ers in the regular season. In the playoffs, he averaged 18.6 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.

Harden, who has a $47M player option for the 2022-23 season, told reporters after the game that he won't test free agency and he plans to stay in Philadelphia.

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