After acquiring James Harden at the trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers hoped this would be the year they break through and make it into the conference finals.
The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Miami Heat in the second round for the fourth time in five years. Harden was a non-factor in the game, taking just nine shots, including two in the second half, and scoring 11 points.
The 76ers did not get the version of Harden that won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, and finished in the top three in voting three other times, in the deal, and that he and the rest of the 76ers weren't.
Since we got him, everyone expected Houston James Harden, but that is not who he is anymore. He is more of a leader. I thought he could have been more aggressive. All of us, whether it was Tyrese or someone coming off the bench.
I'm not just talking about it. I am talking about the entire offense and defense. I did not think we were good defensively. They were able to take advantage of a lot of things we tried to do defensively. Everyone is on the same page, only having a few months to work together and figure it out. Maybe it was not a lot of time. I don't think we played our best basketball.
The 76ers did not play their best basketball in the final two games of the series, when the Heat ran them off the court twice in a row to close out the series.
During a wide-ranging interview, that served as both a postgame discussion and an exit interview for the offseason ahead, Embiid said the loss couldn't be pinned on any one player, and that it was a moment that required everyone on the roster to look in the mirror.
Everybody has to get better. There was a reason why we lost to Miami. We were not good enough. Everyone has to be better.
When asked what the 76ers need to do to get better, he pointed to the team that he just finished playing for, the Heat, and said the 76ers need to get a lot tougher.
We have had a few tough guys since I arrived. I recall that Mike Scott didn't play a lot of minutes, but he was big and strong.
P.J. Tucker is a great player, but it is not about him shooting the ball. It is about what he does. It can be on the defensive or on the rebound. He plays with a lot of energy and believes that no one can beat him, like he is just physical and he is tough. They have a few of those guys.
I would be lying if I said that we had those type of guys. We have what we have. It is the truth. We have never had P.J. Tucker. That is what I am trying to say. Once you get to the playoffs or the later rounds, you need that. You need guys that are tough.
In addition to talking about Tucker, he also talked about his admiration for Jimmy Butler, his teammate for a few months here three years ago before he joined Miami.
It was three years ago Thursday that the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs on a shot by Kawhi Leonard. He wished he would have had more chances to play with the team.
"Obviously, that is my guy, and that is my brother," he said. It is difficult, man. I am so proud of him. He is playing an amazing level right now. He is something else right now. I am proud of him being at this level and carrying them and what he has been able to do. They have had ups and downs all season. They deserved a lot of credit for finding a way to be the number one team in the East despite missing a few guys and not being healthy. They have a great team. Great coaching and a great front offense. A lot of credit to them.
I am happy for him. I will not say that I did not wish he was my teammate. I don't know how we let him go. I would have liked to fight with him still. It is what it is. I have to keep building and trying to reach that goal.
While he isn't playing with Butler, he is playing with Harden, who saw another disappointing postseason come to an end with his disappearing act in Game 6. Harden took just two shots in the second half, with the second one coming very late in the fourth quarter, after the game was already decided.
Harden was asked what caused him to disappear. The ball didn't get back to me.
Harden had more to say when it came to his future in Philadelphia. Harden has the choice to pick up the $47 million player option with the 76ers or sign a new deal and leave as a free agent.
Harden said he would be choosing to play here.
Harden said he would be here.
He was asked if he would take less money, to which he replied, "Anything that allows us to continue to grow and get better and do the things necessary to win and compete at a high level."
What is clear is that the 76ers will need more than they can get away with. 76ers coach Doc Rivers said this team wasn't good enough to beat the Heat and that the roster has to improve.
Harris said the team's mental toughness was a problem against Miami, in addition to the comments about Philadelphia's toughness needing to improve.
Harris said it was not easy to fix. I think that the energy that you bring to the game is a huge part of it. We've shown in many games how great we can be and how mentally tough we are. I think that we didn't do a good job of that when things weren't going our way.
The 76ers will have a long time to think about what would happen if it wasn't going their way.
He doesn't expect to need surgery on his facial fracture, but he does expect to have surgery on his thumb. After getting through the regular season healthy for the first time in his career, he was disappointed his season ended with him playing through injuries that kept him from being his best.
I don't regret it because it's life. You have to deal with it. It hurts. Not looking for excuses. The facts are what they are. It hurts. Nobody will believe that I was 100%. It's hard to get to the stage, not being able to do what you want, and your body not allowing you to be yourself. I have no regrets.
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