PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 06: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets smiles towards Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, NBA Trade Grades: The James Harden-Ben Simmons deal. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
There is a perception that newly acquired Philadelphia 76ers guard, James Harden, has wanted to play with Joel Embiid for quite some time. Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN stated on February 11 that Harden has always respected Embiid, to the point where he urged Daryl Morey to trade for him during their time in Houston.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer backed up Harden’s alleged sentiments about Embiid. Pompey stated that James Harden sees his partnership with Embiid as an opportunity to regain the success that he had in Houston. However, Harden’s sentiments about Embiid are confusing, because their skill sets are entirely different.
The strength of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
Embiid is a player who likes to spend a significant amount of time in the post. Post ups have accounted for 34.3 percent of his possessions since 2016, and he has averaged 8.3 per game. Embiid has excelled in these post-ups, shooting 50.6 percent from the field on 5.4 shots per game.
This success has contributed to Embiid averaging 8.6 points per game in post-ups – 33.7 percent of his scoring output. Embiid’s post-up success has been the catalyst behind the Philadelphia 76ers leading the league in that particular play type this season.
The Sixers have spent 8.5 percent of their possessions in the low post this season, averaging 9.0 per game. Post ups being such an integral part of the Philadelphia 76ers offense has contributed to Embiid’s supporting cast spending a significant amount of time behind the arc as floor spacers.
Philadelphia </a>76ers guard, James Harden, has wanted to play with Joel Embiid for quite some time. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/33267737/inside-tense-negotiations-led-james-harden-ben-simmons-superstar-swap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN</a> stated on February 11 that Harden has always respected Embiid, to the point where he urged Daryl Morey to trade for him during their time in Houston.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-james-harden-daryl-morey-trade-deadline-20220124.html?utm_source=t.co&utm_campaign=edit_social_share_twitter_traffic&utm_medium=social&utm_content=&utm_term=&int_promo=%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer</a> backed up Harden’s alleged sentiments about Embiid. Pompey stated that James Harden sees his partnership with Embiid as an opportunity to regain the success that he had in Houston. However, Harden’s sentiments about Embiid are confusing, because their skill sets are entirely different.</p>
<h2>The strength of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid</h2>
<p>Embiid is a player who likes to spend a significant amount of time in the post. Post ups have accounted for 34.3 percent of his possessions since 2016, and he has averaged 8.3 per game. Embiid has excelled in these post-ups, shooting 50.6 percent from the field on 5.4 shots per game.</p>
<p>This success has contributed to Embiid averaging 8.6 points per game in post-ups – 33.7 percent of his scoring output. Embiid’s post-up success has been the catalyst behind the Philadelphia 76ers leading the league in that particular play type this season.</p>
<p>The Sixers have spent 8.5 percent of their possessions in the low post this season, averaging 9.0 per game. Post ups being such an integral part of the Philadelphia 76ers offense has contributed to Embiid’s supporting cast spending a significant amount of time behind the arc as floor spacers.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The supporting cast of Joel Embiid </a>
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<img class="wp-image-438907 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1355931477.jpeg" alt="Why James Harden is not a good costar for Joel Embiid" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355931477.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355931477-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Timberwolves defeated the 76ers 121-120 in double overtime, Why James Harden is not a good costar for Joel Embiid. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Why James Harden is not a good costar for Joel Embiid: Harden’s reluctance</h2>
<p>Before the trade, Danny Green, Seth Curry, and Tobias Harris took over 22 percent of their shots from behind the arc, averaging at least 3.5 per game. Over 60 percent of those threes were catch-and-shoots, averaging at least 2.8 per game</p>
<p>.Unfortunately for the Sixers, James Harden doesn’t like to take many catch-and-shoot threes, as he’s averaged 1.9 per game since 2013 – 20.9 percent of his total threes. Harden prefers to take pull-up threes; 74.7 percent of his threes have been of the pull-up variety, averaging 6.8 per game. Harden’s reluctance to take catch-and-shoot threes will create an issue.</p>
<p>For example, if a team decides to double-team Joel Embiid in the low post, and he passes the ball out to Harden. As a result, it will give the opposing teams a couple of extra seconds to get back to Harden as he won’t take the three right away.</p>
<p>Consequently, it lessens the success rate of Embiid passing the ball out of the double team. Harden’s hesitancy to take catch-and-shoot threes isn’t the only problem; he has an entirely different skillset than Embiid is used to playing with.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> James Harden's skill set </a>
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<img class="wp-image-426495 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1300757912.jpeg" alt="Why James Harden is not a good costar for Joel Embiid" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1300757912.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1300757912-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 06: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Why James Harden is not a good costar for Joel Embiid: Isolation-heavy ball</h2>
<p>Harden is a player who likes to spend most of his possessions in isolation. Isolations account for 33.3 percent of Harden’s possessions since 2015, averaging 9.5 per game. He has been inefficient in this area, shooting 40.5 percent on 7.5 shots per game.</p>
<p>Harden has averaged 10.25 points per game in isolation – 33.9 percent of his scoring output. When Harden is in isolation, he likes to have at least three of his teammates standing behind the arc to give him more room to get a good look at the basket.</p>
<p>For example, Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, and PJ Tucker took over 47.5 percent of their shots from behind the arc during the 20117-18 season, as they averaged at least 3.8 attempts per game.</p>
<p>At first glance, Embiid spending more time behind the arc is okay, as he is shooting 35.8 percent this season on 3.7 attempts. Unfortunately, this season has been the only campaign where he has been an average shooter. Embiid shot 32.9 percent on 3.5 attempts over his first five seasons.</p>
<p>Therefore, the best solution in this situation would be to stagger both players. Staggering both players will allow them to accentuate their strengths with minimal sacrifice. In conclusion, Harden’s desire to play with Embiid is strange due to their playstyles.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Grading all 30 teams trade deadline deals" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/12/nba-trade-deadline-grades/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/13/76ers-james-harden-joel-embiid/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/12/nba-trade-deadline-grades/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Grading all 30 teams trade deadline deals </a> </div>
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