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Nick Nurse took over as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in June of 2023.
Nurse famously helped the Toronto Raptors get back on their feet, leading them to an NBA Finals victory in 2019.
Despite his success in Toronto, the team fired him after the Raptors missed the playoffs in 2022.
Thankfully for Nurse, he wasn’t unemployed for long.
He comes to a Philadelphia organization that has talented players on their roster, but there is some dissension within the franchise.
James Harden is at odds with the 76ers owner, and has made several comments about not playing this year.
Nurse commented on the latest with Harden according to ClutchPoints, saying, “If Harden is here, we go,” adding, “If not, we go.”
“If [James Harden] is here, we go. If he’s not, we go… From the last discussions I’ve had with him, it was a little bit [of a surprise] that he didn’t show.”
Nick Nurse on Harden being a no show at Sixers practice this morning
(via @BySamDiGiovanni) pic.twitter.com/rm1W9IEEkk
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 18, 2023
This conversation from Nurse indicates that the team is willing to move forward without Harden, although, they would certainly like him to stick around.
Nurse was honest in explaining Harden’s recent absence from the team, saying “From the last discussions I’ve had with him, it was a little bit of a surprise that he didn’t show.”
Harden’s situation has been a major issue throughout the offseason, a problem without an easily defined solution.
If he truly does not want to play for the 76ers’ GM, there is not much Nurse can do.
For now, the team must focus on their season opener, which tips off on October 26th against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks are one of the 76ers’ biggest hurdles in the Eastern Conference, and every win against them matters.
Will Harden join them for the season opener?
The post Nick Nurse Makes A Clear Statement On James Harden’s Absence appeared first on The Cold Wire.