Joel Embiid Threw All The Shade At James Harden Following Series Loss

It’s safe to say the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t get the version of James Harden they were expecting when they made the move to get him midseason. And Joel Embiid knows it.

At the end of the series-losing Game 6 against the Heat on Thursday night, a dejected Embiid took the podium, and didn’t hold back when asked about Harden’s contributions down the stretch.

“Obviously, I’m sure since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden, but that’s not who he is anymore,” he said.

"Obviously, I'm sure since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden, but that's not who he is anymore."

–– Joel Embiid on James Harden after Game 6 pic.twitter.com/e5SsMHCGBZ

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 13, 2022

To Joel Embiid’s point, James Harden went into complete ghost mode for most of the Heat series.

At some points, he’d show flashes of his old self. But for the most part, Harden’s lack of aggressiveness really hurt the Sixers, especially with Embiid out for the first two games of the series with a facial injury.

After making the deal for James Harden, 76ers president of basketball ops, Daryl Morey, promised he’d lock up the shooting guard with a max deal after the season. But being as he didn’t mesh well with Joel Embiid and the rest of the squad, he might have to rethink.

Clearly, Joel Embiid wouldn’t be all too worried if James Harden were to be playing elsewhere next season.

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