Last season, James Harden had a noticeably down year, both in terms of production and the eye test.
He struggled and seemed unhappy early in the year as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, and at mid-season, he was sent down I-95 to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Ben Simmons trade.
But moving two hours southwest did nothing to improve his game, as he finished the season shooting just 41.0 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from 3-point range, a far cry from his usual efficiency.
However, in the first two games of the new season, Harden looks refreshed and almost like his old self.
James Harden first two games of the season:
31 PTS – 9 REB – 9 AST
35 PTS – 8 REB – 7 AST pic.twitter.com/GvIhOuT66d— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 21, 2022
He scored over 30 points in both contests while shooting very well from the field and racking up plenty of rebounds and assists as well.
Granted, Philly lost both games, but Harden did enough to give it a real shot at victory.
Many have commented that he looks skinnier and more fit than he has in the last year or two.
The Sixers may not need Harden to score mega-points in order to contend for the NBA championship, especially with the continued development of fellow starting guard Tyrese Maxey, but they do need him to continue to shoot well from all three levels.
James Harden is in a different mode this year. His floater is back & the middy game is looking beautiful. pic.twitter.com/LNfVGRQfYG
— 𝙃𝙇¹ (@HardensLefty) October 21, 2022
Actually, the problem they have right now is Joel Embiid, who isn’t playing like the MVP candidate he’s been the last couple of years.
Embiid is averaging just 20.5 points per game on 38.5 percent shooting from the field in these first two contests, and Philly needs him to dominate the paint like he’s capable of doing.
But at least Harden looks like he may be back to being a big load for opponents, just as he was a few years ago as a member of the Houston Rockets.
NEXT: 3 Early Observations Of The Philadelphia 76ers