Joel Embiid counters James Harden -- Sixers let him 'do his thing' - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — Speaking for the first time since James Harden was traded to the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid said he didn't agree with Harden's assessment that he was held back by the 76ers the past couple of years.

«I don't think so,» Embiid said after Thursday's 114-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors, in which he finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in 35 minutes. «I think he did a lot of great things for us.

»But in my opinion, we gave him the ball every single possession, because he's really good. He's an amazing player. Obviously, being that great of a passer, I think we gave him the ball… we'd give him the ball every single possession to just go out and, you know, do his thing. And from there he had to make decisions as far as getting guys open or looking out for himself.

«But I thought he did a pretty good job of getting us into an offense and just passing the ball, getting guys open. That's the reason why he won the assist title last year.»

Harden, speaking at his introductory news conference in Los Angeles earlier Thursday, said he felt like he was on «a leash» playing with Philadelphia last season, adding, «I'm not a system player. I am a system.»

But, as Embiid said, Harden did lead the league in assists with the 76ers last season, while Embiid was tops in scoring and captured his first MVP award. The season ended with the 76ers losing in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics, marking the fifth time in six seasons Philly fell in the second round of the playoffs.

After Harden ultimately opted into his $35.6 million player option for this season in June, he requested a trade from Philadelphia to the Clippers — a request that was granted early