CAMDEN, N.J.–The Philadelphia 76ers are in a good spot to begin the NBA Playoffs after a convincing Game 1 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. They are feeling confident in what they can do as a team and being led by a future Hall of Famer is a pretty helpful aspect as well.
James Harden had 23 points and 13 assists in Saturday’s series opener and he knocked down seven triples. He was masterful all day long and he led a pretty efficient Sixers offense against the Nets.
Harden led a pretty strong effort with Joel Embiid off the floor in Game 1 as the Sixers continue to turn to their star leader at point guard.
“I think James just doesn’t get enough credit for how much winning means to him,” said Georges Niang after practice on Sunday. “Obviously, he’s had a ton of personal accolades and since he’s been here, it’s just been solely bought in on what can I do to get this team over the hump and to win. From taking a pay cut to not scoring as much.”
Harden has made a ton of sacrifices for the Sixers to succeed out on the floor. He has made sure that the offense is in a good spot and he has been able to ensure that he and the offense are in sync.
That means giving up his old ruthless scoring ways to be more of a facilitator out on the floor to make sure the rhythm is on point for the Sixers.
“I think he has the assist title this year,” Niang added. “When you have a guy that went from having the scoring title to be like, ‘Okay, I can really pass and get everybody else involved to help the team’, when you have an unselfish guy do that and do whatever it takes to win, I think it’s no surprise that he’s tried to build that relationship with everybody because he knows that’s what’s gonna help get us over the top.”
Niang had eight points in the Game 1 win over the Nets on Saturday and his relationship with Harden has been a big key to the bench unit.
“I think we just played with a ton of energy,” Niang said of the non-Embiid group. “We’re flying around out there, being aggressive, imposing our will, and playing fast. I think when we do that, we’re a tough second unit to stop.”
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Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire