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Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has said the 76ers aren't giving up on James Harden as they believe he can still play well. The 76ers went all in at the trade deadline to acquire Harden but he didn't live up to the expectations in this postseason.
In a Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat, Harden scored just 11 points and attempted just two shots in the second half. "Look. He's an incredibly talented player," Morey said, per ESPN. "Just like Joel, just like Tobias [Harris].
And I'm excited for Doc and his staff to have a whole offseason to work with the players and come up with the best plan for the roster we'll have. ... Having it all come together in February makes it very difficult to try and figure out how to ...
'unlock' all the different skills of the players and how they can work together. "We all know he's a very skilled player, and we'll figure out how to use him."
Morey: We are not giving up on Harden
Harden disappeared in second half of Game 6 versus the Heat as two shots and zero baskets wasn't something you expect from a max player.
"That's the plan, is to have him back," Morey said. "That's been the plan since the trade. Obviously, we have to work with his representation and that'll be between us to figure out how that works." The Heat clearly wanted to win more and 76ers center Joel Embiid blamed the lack of mental toughness for their loss.
When Morey was asked about those comments, he said he feels the current group of 76ers player can develop in that are. "Well, I think it's something that our players can grow," Morey said. "I mean, going through losses and how you respond to that and how you take it as your own look in the mirror. I think we all need to look in the mirror and say, 'How can we each be better?' ... And that goes for myself as well."