Allen Iverson: 76ers need a signature James Harden performance in Game 6
The Philadelphia 76ers are in Toronto tonight for Game 6 and are in desperate need of a series clinching win. Joel Embiid is battling injuries and someone else needs to step up for the Sixers. Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey need to come out aggressive tonight, and James Harden needs to find a way to take more, efficient shots from the floor.
Yesterday, Allen Iverson joined Mike Missanelli to talk about the 76ers playoffs, their current struggles, and what he expects to see from James Harden tonight in Game 6. Iverson, like usual, was on point with what he was seeing from the 76ers, who have lost two straight games after going up 3-0 in the series.
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Here’s what Allen Iverson said on the The Mike Missanelli Show
Iverson: “I don’t see James being as aggressive as he should be. I want to see him more aggressive. But James tries to play the game the right way, tries to get everybody involved and everything. I think we need one of those ‘James Harden games’ that he’s won multiple scoring titles with. We need him to be extremely aggressive and not worry so much about getting everybody involved, but still trying to play the game the right way.
Missanelli: “He needs to get more than 11 shots up, in other words.”
Iverson: “ABSOLUTELY! [laughs] Absolutely. And I don’t compare no one to me, but anybody who knows how I played the game, if there was a game where we were getting ready to get closed out, or have to close somebody out [in a playoff series], I’m not leaving no bullets in the chamber. Because once the war’s over, there’s no need to have any bullets left.”
Doc Rivers had two days off to figure out what adjustments need to be made. They cannot rely on an offense that consists only of Embiid posting up and James Harden isolations.
The Raptors have found success by doubling Embiid every single time down the floor. Embiid struggled with double teams over the past two games and sure, some of that is thanks to his injured hand, but now it’s time to make the necessary adjustments.
The 76ers have to switch things up to survive Embiid’s injury. If they want to get Harden shots, they need to have a few designed plays up their sleeves and get him moving off-ball to find more efficient opportunities.
In Game 5, Joel Embiid led the 76ers in scoring with 20 points and added 11 rebounds and four assists in the losing effort. Tyrese Maxey scored 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Tobias Harris scored 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting. Danny Green scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 4-of-9 from three point range.
James Harden scored 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Yes, James Harden only attempted 11 shots from the floor and that simply will not cut it.
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