James Harden hit back at his critics following the Philadelphia 76ers ' victory over the Brooklyn Nets in round one of the NBA Play-Offs.
After a less than ideal preparation for the post-season last year, Harden is fresh off a full season in Philly and became the assists champion for the second time in his career. On Saturday, ‘The Beard’ scored 23 points to go with 13 dimes and four rebounds as his side cruised to a 121-101 win at the Wells Fargo Center in game one.
Since Harden moved to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’, some have questioned whether he is still good enough to play a starring role on a team contending for a championship. Responding to the doubters, he hit back: "Been doing it for a very long time at the highest level so, it's pretty easy. I don't make the right decisions all the time, I'm not perfect as much as I want to be.
"But as long as I get to the paint and create good offence, I'm doing my job. Most of the time my team-mates will make the shot. That's my job, that's my role, and I'll continue to do it."
There has also been talk of Harden's health having returned from a heel injury just a fortnight ago, and also claimed the pain won’t just “completely go away”.
Harden said he expected to play over 40 minutes prior to the game but because of how well the Sixers were playing with him on the floor, (James was a team- and game-high +20), he got to check out early and finished having logged just 36 minutes.
Assessing his health, he added: “Yeah. I mean, I couldn’t make a layup but that’s the least of my worries. But yeah, my legs, my body feels powerful, feels strong. There was a stint where I played, I think, 13 minutes straight from the end of the first quarter, and then the whole second quarter. And I felt really good. So the work that I put in, and this is the reason for it.”
76ers coach Doc Rivers was full of praise for Harden as he impressively orchestrated proceedings in front of the raucous Philly crowd. "I thought that was one of his best games as a 'catcher,'" he said. "I thought he called a perfect game."
NBA MVP candidate Joel Embiid, finished the game with 26 points, two blocks and five rebounds and Harden’s assists proved vital as the Nets did their best to double team the big man. "They're double-teaming Joel, so somebody else has got to try to make shots and be aggressive,” Harden added.
"I mean, he's the MVP. So it's like, would you rather him score 40, or live with us making shots? Either way, it's fine. We'll be ready either way.” While they are pleased to have drawn first blood in the series, Harden stressed the importance of focusing on game two which he believes will be an even greater challenge as Brooklyn looks to steal a game on the road.
“With that being said, Game 2 is gonna be much more difficult,” the star guard said. “They’re gonna make adjustments and we’re gonna make adjustments. It’s gonna be the most important game of the series and we gotta come out with the same mindset.”
