USA Today via Reuters
Mar 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) during warmups before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) during warmups before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The arrival of James Harden has brought plenty of championship hopes to the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase. Now that the franchise has the ultimate pairing of Embiid and Harden, they can mount a serious challenge for the title. At present, the 76ers have a 43-27 record and are 3rd in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
However, there are plenty of opinions that state that current head coach, Doc Rivers, cannot take the Sixers to a title. This is due to the fact that his team chokes in the playoffs. Two examples to cite this fact are the 76ers themselves falling unexpectedly to the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 playoffs, and the Los Angeles Clippers falling to the Houston Rockets after taking a 3-1 series lead in the 2015 playoffs.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 27, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) and center Joel Embiid (21) greet each other after the New York Knicks call a timeout in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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This has led to a rumor suggesting that James Harden could be reunited with his former head coach, Mike D’Antoni. Moreover, this news sent the Twitterverse into a frenzy.
The band will be back together next season. Morey, Harden and Mike D’Antoni. D’Antoni would have already been there but Brand made a quick panic hire before Morey got there otherwise he would already be coaching and probably would have a big 3 picking up Harden in the off season
— Gary (@GarySchlager) March 21, 2022
Twitter reacts to Mike D’Antoni’s rumored return
In light of the rumor, many fans expressed how they wanted D’Antoni to replace Doc Rivers in Philadelphia. Additionally, they also stated the names of a few other coaches who would also be suitable for the job.
Need Mike D'antoni in the Sixers rn.
Doc is still my fav coach but he fell off
— ︎︎︎︎ ︎ (@Brilqh) March 21, 2022
Praying for one of Dan Burke, Sam Cassell or Mike D'Antoni to be our HC next year. https://t.co/3bNv1IeXNz
— Sham (@ShamHR8) March 21, 2022
Sixers need to pick up Mike D’Antoni to help with Harden in my humble opinion
— 𝘾 𝙝 𝙧 𝙞 𝙨 👽 (@SirEMBIID) March 14, 2022
There’s a lot of reasons but the Sixers are not a Finals contender right now. I think they can easily be one under Mike D’Antoni next year.
— Mike (@mdschaeff) March 15, 2022
When the season is over I would have Mike D'Antoni on speed dial. #SixersOutsiders
— Mark Sutton (@3rdstreetjazz) March 15, 2022
Clearly the fans want Mike D’Antoni in Philly. They believe that his partnership with Harden will take the Sixers to the promise land.
James Harden and Mike D’Antoni
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Partnering for the first time on the Houston Rockets, Harden and D’Antoni enjoyed an amazing 4 year run together. Despite the duo not winning the title, D’Antoni would help the Rockets reach the Western Conference finals in just his 2nd year. Moreover, Harden would also win the MVP award that season. So it’s clear that the two know how to co-exist and win together.
via Imago
James Harden with Mike D’Antoni on the Houston Rockets (Stats are Inclusive of Regular Seasons and Playoffs from the 2016-17 Season to the 2019-20 Season)
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If D’Antoni arrives in Philly, it may turn out to be yet another successful partnership with Harden. Moreover, D’Antoni will have the services of Joel Embiid also available to him. And with Embiid also being a big man who can stretch the floor, it plays perfectly into D’Antoni’s style.
Regardless, the aim of any team in the NBA is to win the title. And whether or not D’Antoni joins the franchise, Harden and Embiid will have their eyes on the prize and will do everything possible to bring the title to Philly.
