James Harden Eyes Championship as He Begins Stint With Philadelphia 76ers After Blockbuster Trade From Nets

Following last week's blockbuster trade, James Harden, who already had an MVP award and multiple scoring titles under his belt, is now ready to deliver the Philadelphia 76ers' first championship in almost 40 years.

When asked if his new team has a chance to win the NBA title during his introductory news conference at the team's practice facility on Tuesday, Harden replied with what all the Sixers fans wanted to hear.

He deadpanned, "Hell yeah," adding that this was the place he wanted to be, Los Angeles Times reported.

"Philly was my first choice, it just didn't happen," Harden said.

Harden, 32, has made 10 All-Star teams, won the 2018 MVP award, and earned three scoring titles in his 12 seasons with Oklahoma City, Houston, and Brooklyn.

He wanted a title, and he believes it's possible in Philadelphia.

"I just knew for a very long time this was a perfect fit... It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Harden noted.

Tuesday was Harden's first public appearance in nearly two weeks, following one of his worst statistical performances of his career, four points on 2-for-11 shooting in the Brooklyn Nets' loss to the Sacramento Kings on February 2.

Harden also missed his final three games with the Nets due to hamstring tightness and the first two since joining the Sixers. He did participate in practice on Monday and Tuesday but will sit out on Tuesday night's home game against Boston Celtics and Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee Bucks.

Harden will also miss the All-Star Game this weekend. He is set to make his Sixers debut on February 25 in Minnesota.

James Harden Believes Partnership With Joel Embiid Will Lead to Championship

James Harden said his newfound partnership with MVP front-runner Joel Embiid, who is leading the NBA in scoring at 29.5 points per game, can deliver Philadelphia a championship, ESPN reported.

"So my job is to come out there and help him (Embiid) and help the entire team win a championship this year and in years going forward," said Harden, who has 10.2 assists per game.

Hours before the trade deadline last Thursday, the Sixers acquired Harden and Paul Millsap from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Seth Curry, Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, and a pair of first-round picks.

According to Sixers general manager Daryl Morey, there is no other way to win a title, and a team must have numerous superstars.

Given the nature of the NBA, it is a much need "to get players of the caliber of a James Harden to pair with a Joel Embiid and a Tobias (Harris)," said Morey.

76ers Coach Says James Harden Fits Well With Philadelphia

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said being a winner is hard that's why they made "trades like this" because they want to achieve it. Rivers also said James Harden's fitting in well with the team as he is "a high IQ basketball player."

"He's a high IQ basketball player, so a lot of the things we do is stuff he does anyway," he noted.

Harden's season scoring average of 22.5 points is down from his career average of 25.0, and he believes he'll contribute more to the Sixers than just scoring.

James Harden, who is making $44.3 million this season, has stated that he would exercise his player option for $46.8 million next year in order to stay with the 76ers.

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Written by: Jess Smith

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