James Harden has lost a step

All the talk lately on the Philadelphia 76ers is about how James Harden has maybe lost a step on the court. Excuse me Stephen A.’s of the world, Shannon Sharpe’s of the world, Jay Williams, Big Perk and all the other talking heads on TV. He is a 6-5 guard that is 32 years old and weighs 220 lbs. Of course he has lost a step. He is no longer in his 20s anymore. What did we expect, Harden to be like Lebron James or Tom Brady? No. Of course not. But, a slower James Harden does not mean he will necessarily be a less effective player.

However, if a slower James Harden wants to pound the ball 30 times and then drive to the hoop like a bulldozer into defenders, crying for the same foul calls that he received 3 and 4 years ago, that will be a problem. Sure, Joel Embiid will get his touches, but Harden’s bulldozing ways will surely cost the 76ers. In order to win, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris need more opportunities with the ball. If Harden keeps dribbling constantly and looking for his own shot to satisfy the naysayers, that strategy will likely backfire. And of course, Philadelphia will not win multiple series if that happens.

But if Harden realizes who he is now and also realizes the tools of the players around him, they will continue to thrive offensively. That’s regardless of who they matchup with in the 2nd round of the 2022 playoffs. He can continue to draw the attention of the defense and set others up. He can continue to quickly advance the ball up the floor as well. Yes, James Harden has lost a step but he still draws a lot of attention. His excellent passing skills and basketball IQ can more than offset what he has lost in explosiveness, if that is what he chooses. That’s a big if.

Which Harden will we get for the next 2 or 3 weeks? What say ye?