PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — James Harden's first two games with the Sixers could not have gone better.
"The biggest takeaway is we got two wins, and they were really good wins," Harden said with a chuckle after his 29-point, 16-assist, 10-rebound, five-steal triple-double against the Knicks on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
The glass-half-empty view is they were games against Minnesota and New York, who the Sixers should beat. The glass-half-full approach is, if these are just two games, what is next?
"I know a couple plays," Harden explained. "I'm just out there winging it, honestly, and just trying to make the best decision as far as my playmaking ability each possession."
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Harden hasn't only displayed an elite ability to score — a skill set we have rarely seen paired with Joel Embiid — but he is also setting up his teammates, showing leadership and showing chemistry.
"I feel like I'm one of the best teammates that the NBA has seen," Harden said after his debut Friday night in Minnesota, "on the court and off the court."
Yes, this is the honeymoon phase. And yes, to think there won't be losses or some bumps along the way would be ridiculous. However, so far so good.
"I mean, what are you really going to do?" Joel Embiid said. "He's a great passer and, obviously, I got someone that attracts a lot of attention too. So, you gotta make a decision. Do you stay on me or do you stay on him?"
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The intriguing thing is neither of Harden's first two games were at home. They were on the road, although the second one at Madison Square Garden definitely had a lot of Sixers fans.
Wednesday night against the Knicks will be Harden's first home game. Have fun getting a ticket to that one.
"Tonight felt like we was in Philly," Harden said with a laugh on Sunday afternoon. "But the crowd is gonna be turnt in there, and I'm ready for it."