Sixers assess James Harden’s play after preseason win over Cavaliers
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers took on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday to continue their preseason schedule at home and they walked away with a 113-112 win thanks to Montrezl Harrell late.
The play of Harrell was good and the win was meaningless. The focus in this one was James Harden.
The Beard made his preseason debut and he had nine points on 3-for-9 shooting and he had five assists as the Sixers continue to grow their team. It wasn’t the prettiest game as the efficiency continues to be an issue, but the positive sign was that he began looking like himself again with his explosion to the basket and his playmaking skills.
“Good, good,” said acting coach Dave Joerger of Harden. “Picking and choosing his spots when he’s aggressive, when he has a matchup he can isolate, when to get Joel involved, or find shots for other guys. I think it’s the time spent. There’s nothing like doing it in a game and spending the time on it.”
Harden isn’t going to get it all back in just one preseason game. This is going to take some time as Philadelphia moves forward, but the good thing is, the passing is still there and he is looking like himself a bit out there on the floor.
“He’s a playmaker,” said Danuel House Jr. “Playmakers can make a play or score for themselves. So he’s a playmaker. It’s gonna be easy and he’s making the right reads and then he’s trusting the other guys. Tyrese (Maxey), Tobias (Harris), me, D-Melton (De’Anthony Melton), we’re gonna knock it in. We’ve been putting in work.”
Harden and the Sixers will continue the preseason on Monday for a rematch with the Cavaliers.
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