76ers center Joel Embiid addressed comments made by former teammate James Harden on Thursday, in which he said that Philadelphia had him “on a leash” and used him as a “system player.”
“I think he did a lot of great things for us,” Embiid said, speaking to reporters after the Sixers’ win over the Raptors, via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sixers.
“But in my opinion, I just felt like we allowed him to just be himself. And we gave him the ball every single possession, because he’s really good. He’s an amazing player,” Embiid continued. “Obviously being that great of a passer, we gave him the ball. If you were watching the game, we gave him the ball every single possession to just go out and do his thing.”
Embiid gave a long answer on Harden’s comments today. Lot of Harden praise.
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 3, 2023
“We allowed him to just be himself, and we gave him the ball on every single possession. Because he’s really good. He’s an amazing player. I’m not that great of a passer, [so] we gave him the ball.” pic.twitter.com/biB7peKXKL
It was the first time Embiid had spoken to the media since Harden was traded to the Clippers on Monday.
Harden had been vying for a trade out of Philadelphia for much of the offseason after he publicly feuded with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
In a press conference on Thursday, Harden spoke critically of his role on the 76ers, saying, “I’m not a system player. I am a system.”
Regarding Harden’s exit from Philadelphia, Embiid said he was happy for his ex-teammate and wished him success in the future.
Embiid on Harden: “I’m happy that the situation got resolved and I’m happy for him, it’s all business…I hope he has a chance to succeed and make a lot of money, play good basketball and be able to win. I hope we both make the Finals but he’s on the losing side of it.” pic.twitter.com/J9lnpJqLtK
— PHLY Sixers (@PHLY_Sixers) November 3, 2023
“I’m happy that the situation got resolved and I’m happy for him,” said Embiid. “I hope he has a chance to succeed and make a lot of money, play good basketball and be able to win. I hope we both make the Finals but he’s on the losing side of it.”
Harden is set to make his Clippers debut on Monday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
