The Philadelphia 76ers needed another star next to Joel Embiid. Ben Simmons was always a questionable fit besidehim, and they needed to replace him with someone who could elevate hisand the teamās game.
Daryl Morey went to great lengths to get his guy. The Sixers landed James Harden with one year left on his contract, hoping things would work out and that heād extend his stay in the City of Brotherly Love.
Not only did Harden re-sign with the team, but he also took a significant pay cut to help them revamp the roster. Needless to say, Morey is quite thankful for that kind of commitment and determination to win.
NBA News: Daryl Morey Praises James Hardenās Commitment To The Sixers
āJames, heās a little later in his career than Joel (Embiid), so I would say as you get farther along you realize each year is precious, each season is even more precious,ā Morey told NBC Sports. āHeās done more, I think, than maybe any star playerās ever done to take that much less money. We just got Montrezl Harrell. We couldnāt have done that without both him taking less money and constantly talking to Trez and saying, āHey, letās rekindle the magic we had in the past.'ā
āLook, between the money he gave up and his commitment to the franchise from Day 1 to do what (head coach Doc Rivers) wants,ā Morey added. āIām someone who looks at data quite a bit. All the players on the teamās shooting percentages went way up off passes from him. Our team overall was elevated after he came. Joel and James were the No. 1 pick-and-roll combo ā really (in) years; it wasnāt just last season. It just shows the overall impact and how heās lifting the whole team to help us win a title.ā
Harden has been criticized in the past for his lack of accountability and commitment, but that doesnāt seem to be the case anymore. Hopefully, this will be the year heāll finally step up in the playoffs and prove why heās one of the greatest offensive talents of all time.
