Site icon Side Action

James Harden Said He ‘Wasn’t Right’ Last Season

SGKing

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden plays during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

James Harden has been extremely busy this offseason.

He’s trying to prove he’s not washed up, which at times last season it sure did look that way. Harden has also posted the obligatory workout videos, including one of him getting reps in the gym alongside assistant coach Sam Cassell and promising young guard Tyrese Maxey.

But the most encouraging thing Harden did this offseason is admit he wasn’t himself last season.

“I don’t really listen to what people are saying. I wasn’t right last season and I still almost averaged a triple-double,” Harden said in an interview with Yahoo Sports. “If anybody else had those numbers, we’d be talking about them getting the max. People were used to seeing me averaging 40, 30 points, and so they viewed it as a down year. I was in Philadelphia for a couple of months and I had to learn on the fly. That’s just what it was. I’m in a good space physically and mentally right now, and I’m just looking forward to next season.”

He told AP Sports he’s finally back to his old self.

“I wasn’t able to get in my spots and get to where I needed to get to without thinking about it, so that right there slowed my confidence down,” he said. “It was craziness, but I’m finally back. I’ll be a lot more aggressive scoring-wise just because my body allows me to.”

Harden did average 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds in the time after the Sixers acquired him, but he clearly looked like a shell of himself in the playoffs.

Might this be James’ year to finally win a Chip??

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!

🔥 Hot from Side Action 🔥