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James Harden Throws Shade at Teammate Joel Embiid Before Raptors Battle Causing NBA Twitter Meltdown
Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has a lot to prove this postseason. After getting his move to the Sixers, Harden started out really well and the Sixers finally seemed to have found a star next to Joel Embiid. But he has struggled of late. And this hasn’t stopped Harden to hit back at haters and seems to throw a little bit of shade of his teammate, Embiid.
Harden is always one of the league leaders in free throws. Since his time at the Rockets, Harden has averaged nearly 10 free throws a game. And he makes most of them. His all-star teammate, Joel Embiid, is also excellent at drawing fouls and he is leading the league this season. But this has attracted a lot of critics, who say these two get a lot of undeserved free throws. And Harden does not agree with this statement.
James Harden hits back at haters who say he gets too many free throws
Harden reacted to Clippers coach Ty Lue who had thrown a dig at Harden and Embiid. He says, “I don’t even pay attention to it. Free throws are a part of the game. You look at who leads the league, Joel and Giannis, what about if you take away their free throws? I don’t understand what that comment meant.”
Mar 4, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
“Free throws are a part of the game. It’s on the defense to have discipline and not foul. That’s what coaches should be teaching their players. For me I don’t pay attention to it, I just try to go out there and make an impact on the game in a positive way every night. “
NBA Twitter reacts to James Harden and his comments on Joel Embiid
Twitter went into overdrive after hearing Harden’s comments. They mocked him for calling out his own teammate. Here are the best reactions:
not again bro
— bpw (@BucksPlsWin) April 15, 2022
REMINDER:
James “Greatest scorer of all time” Harden woke up dangerous game 7
5-17 FG
2-12 3PT
29% FG shooting
4 Turnovers
Biggest flopper of all time
Playoff Frauden still can’t win a ring even on a super team
better than Kobe right?
— MONK FANATIC (@therealselena23) April 15, 2022
I don’t think he’s really “owned” anybody’s favourite team lately
— SB4 ROTY (@ScottieB4MVP) April 15, 2022
— TotallyNotAlex (@TotallyNoAlex) April 15, 2022
cry free throw merchant
— KPJ X Green (@KevinPorterJr3) April 15, 2022
foul merchant
— A. (@atlstro2) April 15, 2022
50 points on 29% shooting might be the wildest thing I’ve seen
— Hi (@JB22STAN) April 15, 2022
Why Harden is not wrong to hit back?
Harden may not have intended to talk about his teammate like that, but he had to state the facts. Embiid and Giannis are 1 and 2 in free throws per game. And most of the time, they get there because opponents foul them so much. They are smart and know how to draw fouls. And sometimes the only way to stop these players is to foul.
James Harden is the same. He is very smart at drawing fouls and he used the rules to his advantage. So blaming Harden for getting to the free-throw line a lot is not fair. The opponents need to do a better job at guarding Harden and need to stop fouling him so much.
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