New Clippers guard James Harden was very critical of his time with the 76ers during his opening press conference in Los Angeles today. The crux of his complaint came in relation to his role in Philadelphia, and how he felt misused by former head coach Doc Rivers.
"Philly, it was just changing my role, knowing I could give more," Harden said. "If we want to be honest it was kind of like being on a leash. Like me knowing, in order for us to get where we want to get to, I was going to have to be playing my best offensively...and I never really had that opportunity."
Harden was asked later in the press conference to clarify what he meant by 'being on a leash.'
"When I meant a leash, I didn't mean just shooting the basketball every time. I think the game and I'm a creator on the court, so if I have a voice where I can, 'hey coach I see this, what do you think about this?' Somebody that trusts me and believes in me, that understands me. That I'm not a system player, I am a system."
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor made sure to point out that while Harden seemingly wanted more autonomy, last year he ranked second in the NBA in time possessing the ball per game. Dallas' Luka Doncic was the only player ranked ahead of him.
As 76ers fans are sure to remember, the future Hall of Famer scored only 22 combined points on 7/27 shooting during Games 6 and 7 of the team's second-round loss to the Celtics in last year's playoffs. Whether Harden was a 'system player,' or the system itself, the system failed.
The Harden-less 76ers are now off to a 3-1 start to the season after tonight's win over the Toronto Raptors. The team moves noticeably quicker, with young guard Tyrese Maxey continuing to ascend in Harden's absence.
Plus, Harden's trade return of several first-round picks and four expiring contracts in Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris and KJ Martin has already gotten rave reviews.
Of course, the veteran guard took a few final shots at 76ers GM Daryl Morey as the door closed on his tenure in Philadelphia:
"That last situation in Philly, those fans were really really great, teammates were great," Harden said. "Going to Philly, leaving a lot of money on the table from Brooklyn...changing my role which the media says is ball-dominant, well by ball-dominance is really effective. But changing my role, trying to change the narrative, trying to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win at the highest level...It just didn't work out. Me leaving Brooklyn, thinking I'm going to retire as a Sixer. The front office had other plans. They didn't want me. It's that simple."
Harden and the Clippers will visit the 76ers on March 27, 2024. I think we'd all be surprised if the core of Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Harden are all healthy and coexisting at that point.