James Harden, after blockbuster trade, says NBA championship is goal for Philadelphia 76ers

CAMDEN, New Jersey — James Harden on Tuesday said his newfound partnership with center Joel Embiid can deliver the Philadelphia 76ers their first championship in almost 40 years.

«For me, it made sense, man,» Harden said of the blockbuster trade during his introductory news conference at the team's practice facility. «It's a time where I needed to be around guys that I know want to win, and know that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win, and the structure here is unbelievable.

»[Winning a title is] the goal, man. That's the goal. Like Daryl [Morey] said: The opportunity to win is now. Joel is playing the best he's ever played. So my job is to come out there and help him and help the entire team win a championship this year and in years going forward."

Tuesday marked the first time Harden had spoken publicly in almost two weeks, since one of the worst statistical performances of his career — four points on 2-for-11 shooting in the Brooklyn Nets' loss to the Sacramento Kings.

He missed the final three games of his Nets tenure with hamstring tightness before being reunited with Morey — the man who brought him to Houston a little over nine years ago — in a trade deadline blockbuster last Thursday that also centered around All-Star Ben Simmons.

After initially declining to get into specifics about why he decided his time with the Nets needed to end so soon after it began, Harden, who played alongside co-stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in just 16 total games, said the circumstances surrounding Irving's decision to reman unvaccinated — and thus unable to play in home games in Brooklyn — had an impact on the team.

«Very minimal, honestly,» Harden said. «Like, obviously me and Ky are really good friends, whatever