Can the duo Joel Embiid & James Harden bring a title to the Sixers?

 

The history of the Sixers is rich in championships and legendary players. However, it has been nearly forty years since they last brought home a title to the city. The rebuilding, better known as the “The Process,” is yet to wield the returns the fans of Philly have been clamoring for. 

On a bright note, the Sixers are poised now more than ever to seize the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Embiid is coming off a year after winning his first scoring title with 30.4 points per game. Notably, he had his highest total of games played in any season (68) for his six-year career. His health has been one of the overarching concerns for the Sixers. 

In last year’s playoffs, Embiid suffered injuries that would leave him out of two games in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat. The Sixers would lose the series in six games. It is tantamount that Embiid keeps healthy if the Sixers stand any chance in the formidable Eastern Conference. His reckless style of play needs to be addressed within the team. It will be up to Coach Doc Rivers and the staff to find ways to keep Embiid healthy.

The other duo member, James Harden, is the type of player Embiid can thrive with. Though Harden put up admirable numbers in his 21 games played with the Sixers, his playoff numbers dropped precipitously. Harden has much to prove for his legacy, and this is perhaps his best chance after signing a new 2 year/68-million team-friendly contract with the Sixers. 

Harden’s team-friendly contract allowed Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations, to bring in veterans P.J. Tucker and Daniel House. Both of them played alongside Harden in Houston, where Morey was also the president of basketball operations. 

Tucker, 37 years old, has proved naysayers wrong with continued productivity late into his career. After winning a championship with the Bucks in 2021 and having an effective year with the Miami Heat this past year, there’s no reason not to believe Tucker will play an invaluable role with the Sixers.

The Sixers should be quite optimistic with their offseason moves, but the true optimism aside from Embiid and Harden lies with Tyrese Maxey. Maxey, the 21st overall pick in 2020, has been an absolute steal in the draft. His sophomore numbers in the league blossomed due to the Ben Simmons sit out.

The Sixers are projected to finish 3rd in the Eastern Conference by ESPN. While questions swirl around the Kevin Durant trade rumors, the Sixers should be delighted for the upcoming season. They bolstered their starting lineup with the addition of Tucker, rounded at their bench depth with House, and acquired De’Anthnony Melton via trade with the Grizzlies.

The Sixers are an intriguing team. With expectations high, a few questions still need to be addressed. Can Embiid curb his enthusiasm by not throwing his body around the court and remain healthy this year? Will Harden be prime Harden from the Houston years? Will Doc Rivers prove the Celtics championship in 2008 wasn’t an anomaly?

It’s hard not to root for “The Process” as the jovial and charismatic Embiid is the face of their franchise. In an era of 3pt shooters and spacing, it would be spectacular to see a team win with a prolific Center manning the middle. Embiid and Nikola Jokić are prime examples of the Centers in the NBA evolving with today’s game. We all know Philly’s fans are devoted and passionate about their teams. Here’s hoping the Sixers bring home their fourth title forty years after their last one in 1983.