For the primary time in his profession, James Harden is having a full offseason with the Los Angeles Clippers. Final yr, the veteran guard spent the whole offseason with the Philadelphia 76ershoping for an trade.
When Harden bought his want to be traded in late October of final yr, the ten-time All-Star needed to undergo a ramp-up part to get into form. Whereas taking part in on-court actions with the Sixers all through the offseason course of, Harden was preventing an uphill battle to get in form.
This yr, the previous Sixers level guard finds himself in a a lot totally different state of affairs.
“[I feel] nice,” Harden advised reporters at coaching camp this week.
“Firstly of the season I will most likely be – not most likely – in the very best form I have been in most likely 5, six, seven years.”
When Harden joined the Sixers in 2022 through a commerce with the Brooklyn Nets, he was recovering from a hamstring damage. Though he did not debut instantly, Harden appeared in 21 video games through the common season and appeared in each recreation for the Sixers within the playoffs that yr.
The 2022-23 season marked Harden’s first and final full season in a Sixers uniform. He felt good at first of the yr, however an early foot damage stored him sidelined for an prolonged interval. As soon as once more, he spent a season recovering from damage.
After 58 extra common season video games in Philadelphia, in addition to an 11-game run within the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Harden requested a commerce. After touchdown with the Clippers, the veteran guard performed in 72 video games all through the common season and 6 video games within the playoffs.
Harden regarded first rate because the Clippers’ level guard, averaging 17 factors and 9 assists. However with a full offseason in Los Angeles and a possibility to get again into injury-free form, Harden believes his age-35 season could possibly be vital.
THE Philadelphia 76ers on SI the present is on the market on streaming platforms Spotify, Apple and Amazon.
I do not actually need to discuss. I simply need to go on the market and present it,” Harden completed. “I really feel like I talked an excessive amount of. As a workforce we simply need to present it.
As completed as Harden is at this level in his profession, the ten-time All-Star continues to be on the lookout for his first NBA Finals victory. He hoped to get it in Philadelphia enjoying alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, however they misplaced within the second spherical in each seasons.
After re-signing with the Clippers over the summer season, Harden has the subsequent two seasons in Los Angeles to determine it out.
Extra 76ers on SI
Sixers reveal plans to maintain Joel Embiid wholesome
Daryl Morey assured in Sixers’ championship place
