Joel Embiid has fired back at James Harden’s surprising comments about his brief stint in Philadelphia.
During his unveiling press conference with the Clippers, Harden suggested that he was restricted by the 76ers and stated in reference to his perceived restricted role, “I am not a player bound by a system, I am the system itself.”
In response to this, Embiid was asked about it following Philadelphia’s 114-99 win over Toronto on Thursday, and it’s safe to say he differed in opinion from Harden.
“We granted him the liberty to express himself fully, and we entrusted him with the ball on every single play,” Embiid remarked. “Due to his formidable skills. He’s an exceptional athlete. I’m not as proficient in facilitating plays, [so] we put the ball in his hands.
“He had to make decisions between setting up his teammates or focusing on his own success. I believe he performed admirably by initiating our offensive plays, distributing the ball, and creating scoring opportunities for others. That’s why he secured the title for the most assists last season.”
Embiid went on to express his relief in moving past the discord with Harden and the 76ers.
“I’m glad that the situation has been resolved and I wish him the best, it’s all part of the game…I hope he has the opportunity to shine, earn a significant income, perform exceptionally on the court, and achieve triumph. I hope we both reach the Finals, but he will find himself on the losing side.”
James Harden and Joel Embiid are set to face off when the 76ers take on the Clippers in LA on March 24. Harden will then return to Philadelphia three nights later on March 27.
Image Source: Joel Embiid @ Instagram
