Sixers discuss importance of practice for Joel Embiid, James Harden
CAMDEN, N.J.–The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed James Harden back to the lineup on Monday as they fell to the Houston Rockets in double overtime to end a trip where they lost all three games. The Beard had missed 14 games due to a right foot tendon strain and he had 21 points on just 4-for-19 shooting.
Now that they have returned home, the Sixers will be looking to grow the Harden and Joel Embiid pairing in order to get back in the Eastern Conference contention race. Philadelphia has been dealing with injuries throughout the season and they will now be looking to use this current practice time to grow as a group.
“For us, I think getting everybody in here and having some practice days is important,” said Tobias Harris. “In terms of, like, offensively for this group, it’s just running our stuff and figuring out ways we can exert our options within the offensive package. Playing with pace, but using our defense to fuel getting out in transition and running.”
That is exactly why practice is so important at this moment for the Sixers. They need to be able to get Harden and Embiid on the same page so they can continue to grow that star duo and become the title contenders they belive they can be.
“I just think it’s gonna take time,” added coach Doc Rivers. “Really, today (Thursday) was the first live practice. Yesterday, we didn’t do much, just them on the floor together is good. We did a lot of stuff. We actually did a lot of live stuff which you don’t get a chance to do much during the regular season so it was good.”
PJ Tucker just bullied Jaden Springer, but then Joel Embiid bullied Tucker in some competition after practice #Sixers pic.twitter.com/egHDKirdeg
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 8, 2022
Getting this practice time is going to continue to grow the Sixers as a group and help the duo of Embiid and Harden. Philadelphia will go as far as those two will take them.
“Obviously, when you got different lineups guys in and out because of injuries, you do need these practice days to go over some stuff,” Harris added. “Just get back to the basics.”
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