Is It Now or Never for James Harden?

After Philadelphia's first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, 76ers guard James Harden fielded a question during the postgame news conference regarding his motivations for the current season, apart from winning the championship. Harden's reply emphasized the significance of sacrifice.

According to Harden, "I told myself this year, that it's just, I'm all big on sacrifice. Whether it's the money or my role, just letting everything go and just sacrificing -- and then seeing what it gives me."

Throughout the season, Harden adjusted his playing style, frequently playing as a facilitator within the 76ers' offense, while young guard Tyrese Maxey and MVP favorite Joel Embiid took on the team's scoring duties. Harden's points, field goal attempts, and free throw attempts per game in 2022-23 were all lower than any season since joining the Houston Rockets in 2012.

JAMES HARDEN 🔥

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Last summer, Harden took a pay cut to return to Philadelphia on a one-year, $33 million deal with a player option for a second year, allowing the 76ers to sign P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., both of whom played with Harden on the Rockets. 

P.J. Tucker commented, "With all the accomplishments he has, the only thing he has left is to win a championship. And I know he knows at this age, and at this stage of his career, he could still probably do some of the stuff -- a lot of stuff -- he was doing before, but he needs somebody else like [Embiid], another star, to make that happen. And him sacrificing has to happen for that to take place."

The 76ers will begin their Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics on Monday night at Boston's TD Garden, with Embiid doubtful to play in Game 1 due to a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.