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By no means too many sentences away from one thing surprising, Josh Harris was in character Tuesday early in a press convention to welcome James Harden to the Sixers.
“James,” the Sixers’ managing associate mentioned, “thanks for selecting Philadelphia to play.”
What? Is that the way it labored? Harden simply confirmed up in Camden and stuffed out a job software?
Or did the Sixers need to relinquish their finest shooter, a starting-caliber heart, two first-round draft selections and a participant they as soon as appeared to tank a whole season for only for his draft proper, to the Nets for Harden and Paul Millsap?
“For essentially the most half, we will management our personal future, not that I’m saying that may be a good factor or a foul factor,” mentioned Harden, additional bringing to the open the fact of famous person motion all through professional basketball. “I do know my scenario. It was mutual. I’m new with Josh, however realizing Daryl Morey from my Houston days, and realizing Doc Rivers, it made sense.”
The Sixers are Harden’s third group in 14 months, after he’d campaigned his approach out of Houston and Brooklyn. Most definitely, Harris was expressing thanks that, upon the commerce, Harden made it clear that he’ll waive his choice to change into a free agent and decide to the Sixers subsequent season. The 32-year-old guard reiterated that dedication Tuesday.
“This was a scenario the place I knew I wanted to be round guys who wished to win and are prepared to do no matter it takes to win,” Harden mentioned. “The construction right here is unbelievable. The chance to win is now. Joel is enjoying the most effective he has ever performed. And my job is to assist him and assist the group win the championship this 12 months and years going ahead.”
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With Andre Drummond gone to the Nets, Rivers wants a backup heart. His No. 1 plan, as he let slip Tuesday, was to seek out one thing within the buyout market. Till then, he’ll take into consideration dropping the 6-7 Millsap within the center.
“I don’t know use him,” Rivers mentioned, earlier than a sport in opposition to the visiting Celtics. “Actually, I’ve by no means coached him. Previously, he’s been a man that pops loads at that 5 spot.
“Actually, if he’s on the market, we are actually determining what we’re going to do proper in entrance of you. And I can’t let you know what that’s.”
Millsap, 37, has had foot bother and had not performed since Dec. 27. However he’s a four-time All-Star with a confirmed potential to attain, and the sort of veteran who may ably substitute Drummond’s in-house presence.
“There’s a sturdy tradition right here,” Millsap mentioned. “Coming into observe and seeing Joel and the way collectively everyone is, seeing the vitality within the constructing, that’s what I like. That’s what I like to be round.”
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Shake Milton, who missed 18 video games with a foul again, made it by way of the final two with no issues.
“It feels higher,” Milton mentioned after shootaround. “I’m simply taking it in the future at a time and simply doing regardless of the group wants me to do. That’s my focus proper now.”
With Harden anticipated to be unavailable till at the very least subsequent Friday’s go to to Minnesota, Milton was anticipated to assist in that transition. Already, he mentioned, Harden has made an influence.
“He’s a scoring champion and has led the league in assists,” Milton mentioned. “We will study infinite issues from him, and I feel we already are. Actually, simply the way in which he strikes and sees angles and hits rollers and finds guys on offense, that’s going to translate properly.”
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The commerce to Brooklyn proved therapeutic to Ben Simmons, who Tuesday confronted the media for the primary time for the reason that finish of final season.
Although he has but to declare himself mentally able to compete, he did say, “I hope so,” when requested if he anticipated to face the Sixers March 10 within the Wells Fargo Middle.
Requested if there was one straw that made him resolve that transferring on from the Sixers was his finest play, Simmons was sometimes obscure.
“It wasn’t that,” he mentioned, at a Brooklyn press briefing. “It extra so simply piled up, a bunch of issues through the years the place I knew I wasn’t myself. I needed to get again to that place of being myself and being happier as an individual and taking good care of my properly being. That was the foremost factor for me. It wasn’t concerning the basketball. It wasn’t concerning the cash or something like that. I need to be who I’m and get again to enjoying basketball at that degree.”
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