It’s official that James Harden is now a member of the Sixers but fans will have to wait to see the team’s newest addition hit the Wells Fargo Center hardwood. It was reported by John Clark of NBC 10 Philadelphia that James Harden will be out until after the NBA All-Star break, with the earliest of a return being February 25th, as Harden continues to rehab (Hamstring) from injury.
Also, Head Coach, Doc Rivers mentioned that the team will have a scrimmage after the All-Star break to assess where James is at physically.
Today was the first practice for James Harden, who was not limited, with his new team, the 76ers, since the trade that sent Ben Simmons to Brooklyn was final. Although the city is excited to see the new addition to the team play, the city of Philadelphia will have to wait just a while longer. The first pictures of James Harden in the Sixers blue alongside second-year guard Tyrese Maxey, putting up shots and going through various drills is all the buzz in the city of Philadelphia right now.
As mentioned before, the decision of the team and coaches to sit James until after the break is the right one. Once the team returns from the All-Star break, they will need Harden to be 100% healthy and ready to play as the Sixers go into the final portion of the NBA season into the playoffs.
The more time Harden has with the organization, coaches, and teammates, the better. Harden will have to get acclimated with his new team as much as possible with not much time left in the current season. I look forward to the debut of James Harden as much as the city is, but I want him to be as comfortable and healthy as we possibly can get him down the stretch run of the season.
