Joel Embiid says James Harden doesn't have chemistry with other players" Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
Key Highlights :
1. Joel Embiid has described himself as a 'f***ing monster' and hailed team-mate James Harden as the playoffs loom large.
2. The pair sat out Monday's game against the Nuggets, with Embiid and Harden nursing minor calf and Achilles injuries respectively, robbing fans of a highly anticipated duel between MVP contenders Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
3. Regardless of how the voting plays out, with Jokic edging ahead as a minor favourite for his third-straight MVP, the 76ers are heading into the playoffs well-placed as the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
4. Embiid has been on a tear in recent weeks, racking up 10 straight 30-point games since the start of March, emulating Shaquille O'Neal as the first centre to do that since the Los Angeles Lakers legend in 2001.
5. Guard Harden has proven to be a perfect foil for the league's leading scorer (on points per game), averaging 21 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds himself across 53 games this season, and the pair have struck up great chemistry on the court.
6. Speaking before the pair sat out Monday's game at Ball Arena, Embiid made clear that rivals have plenty on their plate when they meet in the playoffs.
7. "I don’t think we’ve ever had to have a conversation," Embiid told The Athletic when asked about his bond with Harden. "I think from the beginning, it was natural. I’d like to believe that I’m a f****** monster. I got a high basketball IQ, and he does too. So when you have two guys that have high basketball IQs, it’s easier to figure things out. "From the beginning when James came here, one thing about me is I’ve gone away from posting up a lot. I allow James to have the ball in his hands a lot because I believe he’s the best playmaker in the league, and he’s going to make my job easier. He’s going to make my teammates’ jobs easy."
8. "From the beginning, James has given up a lot. I’ve given up a lot. And it’s worked out great for both of us and the whole team too. We understood we have two guys where you take advantage of what they’re good at. When we put it together, we have a flow. Another thing about it is: When you have two guys that like to play with each other, it makes everything easy."
Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers' center, has fired a warning shot to his NBA rivals ahead of the playoffs by speaking about his impressive chemistry with James Harden. The MVP candidate made the comments after the 76ers' 113-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
According to Embiid, the key to the team's success this season has been their chemistry. "We just try to go out there and play hard. We don't really try to do too much. Just play our game, and it's worked out for us," he said.
Harden, who was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Monday, echoed Embiid's sentiments. "Joel's a really good player. He's a big man that can shoot the ball. He's been doing a good job of scoring and rebounding. We just try to make it hard on the defense and let him do his thing," Harden said.
The duo has been a force for the 76ers this season, as they have combined for 71 points on 26-of-47 shooting (56.5 percent) from the field and 20 rebounds in their last game. With a 54-28 record, Philadelphia is in first place in the Eastern Conference, but they will face stiff competition in the playoffs.
The 76ers are set to face the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Philadelphia 76ers in the first, second, and third rounds, respectively. Embiid and Harden will be key players for the team during the playoffs, and their impressive chemistry will be an asset in their pursuit of the championship title.
As the playoffs approach, the 76ers are among the top contenders for the championship. The team has put in a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve their success so far this season, and they are ready to take on any challenges that come their way.
With Embiid and Harden leading the charge, the 76ers have a strong chance of winning the championship this year. The duo has shown an impressive level of chemistry on the court, and their skills and teamwork will be put to the test during the playoffs.
In summary, Joel Embiid has fired a warning to his NBA rivals ahead of the playoffs by speaking out on his impressive chemistry with James Harden at the Philadelphia 76ers. The duo's skills and teamwork will be key to the team's success during the playoffs, where they will face tough competition. Nevertheless, the 76ers are among the top contenders for the championship, and with their dedication and hard work, they are sure to put up a strong fight.
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