As long as a superstar like Joel Embiid is in the fold, the 76ers will always be thinking championships. Embiid is so good, talented, and uniquely unstoppable when he’s firing on all cylinders that Philadelphia is a factor in the NBA title picture by default, so long as he wears its uniform.
But what happens when you give Embiid a legitimate running mate? What are the 76ers capable of when they have another star on the court that can pick up the slack?
At the risk of dwelling on the past, let’s just say Ben Simmons was never up to that task. There’s a reason he was traded for Harden. In his Philadelphia debut on Friday — alongside Embiid in a 133-102 win over the Timberwolves (+2.5) — boy, oh boy, did “The Beard” help show why the 76ers might be the team to beat this spring.
Embiid and Harden wasted no time taking it to Minnesota. Thanks to this dynamic duo, after a mere four minutes into the game, the 76ers were already in the bonus.
After 1Q:
— 16 free throws
— 11 for Embiid/Harden
— Went into bonus 4 minutes in pic.twitter.com/xv44zp3cBK— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 26, 2022
As the game enveloped from there, the Timberwolves never had a chance. It’d be one thing if it were only Embiid and his so-so (for him) 34 points. An average team might withstand such an onslaught, if only slightly. But the 76ers with Harden present an insurmountable challenge.
This was a night for this pair to send a message to every NBA heavyweight: Beware of Embiid’s relentlessness in the post and Harden’s signature stepbacks on the same team.
back to back. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IEV0Zufh3I
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022
Huh, that’s pretty skillful. Cool.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 26, 2022
Uh, oh. Happy learned how to putt.
Embiid’s final line: 34 points, 10 rebounds, three assists.
Harden’s final line: 27 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds.
Again, that’s on the same team.
The 76ers currently have +700 odds (fifth overall) to win the NBA title, according to Tipico Sportsbook. With immaculate nights like this from Embiid and Harden together, they might be the heavy odds-on favorite soon enough.
"That was probably the most wide open I've ever been in my career."
Joel Embiid seems to enjoy playing with James Harden 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/VD94pp7Mb2
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 26, 2022
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