Joel Embiid Subtly Rebuts James Harden’s ‘Leash’ Comments: “We Allowed Him To Just Be Himself”
The Philadelphia 76ers sent James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers following a period of rumors and intense drama. Harden played for the Sixers for a season and a half, averaging 21.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game on 43.1% shooting from the field.
Harden was clear about his issues with Sixers general manager Daryl Morey throughout the process, but it seems that Harden was also unhappy with how the Sixers utilized him during his short tenure with the team.
In his introductory press conference with the Clippers, Harden remarked that he felt like he was ‘on a leash’ with the Sixers and suggested that he was being used as a system player.
“I think the game and I’m a creator on the court,” Harden said. “[I need] somebody that trusts me, that believes in me, that understands me, that I’m not a system player. I am a system.”
“I am not a system player. I am a system.”
Full comment from James Harden: pic.twitter.com/wWfLzgndlO
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) November 2, 2023
Sixers superstar Joel Embiid, however, doesn’t echo his former teammate’s sentiments. Although Embiid remained complimentary of Harden, he was candid and clear in challenging Harden’s comments when asked about them.
“We allowed him to just be himself, and we gave him the ball on every single possession. Because he’s really good. He’s an amazing player. I’m not that great of a passer, [so] we gave him the ball.”
Embiid gave a long answer on Harden’s comments today. Lot of Harden praise.
“We allowed him to just be himself, and we gave him the ball on every single possession. Because he’s really good. He’s an amazing player. I’m not that great of a passer, [so] we gave him the ball.” pic.twitter.com/biB7peKXKL
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 3, 2023
