Within the confines of Moby Arena, hidden away from the public eye, a vibrant atmosphere unfolds. The energetic beat of a DJ’s music fills the air, punctuated by the occasional sharp whistle as the new Philadelphia 76ers coach, Nick Nurse, pauses practice to impart wisdom about the intricate offensive system he’s implementing.
These are the sounds reverberating through the 76ers’ training camp at this moment.
Amidst this cacophony, the noise surrounding the disgruntled guard, James Harden, and his trade demands have been effectively muted. Harden has been progressively increasing his involvement in the training camp hosted on the Colorado State campus, which recently concluded. Remarkably, his teammates assert that his situation hasn’t been a source of distraction. Regardless of how long he remains with the Philadelphia team—be it a week, a month, until the trade deadline, or the entire season—the Sixers are singularly focused on the game of basketball. They are diligently assimilating the nuances of Nurse’s offense, a departure from the previous year when NBA MVP Joel Embiid led the league in scoring (33.1 points per game), and Harden in assists (10.7 per game).
The prevailing sentiment among the team is one of positivity and unity. P.J. Tucker described the atmosphere as “great,” with everyone wearing smiles, competing passionately, and embracing the camp experience.
To foster a relaxed ambiance, the team even brought in a DJ and ventured to Boulder for dinner with insights from Colorado coach Deion Sanders, shielding themselves from external distractions.
Harden’s situation stemmed from his decision to exercise his $35.6 million contract option for this season while hoping for a trade that didn’t materialize. He expressed his dissatisfaction with team President Daryl Morey at an event in China, accusing Morey of dishonesty. Despite skipping the team’s media day in New Jersey, Harden’s recent increased participation in drills and scrimmages reflects his commitment to the team’s goals.
Coach Nurse, who took over from Doc Rivers, emphasizes the finer details in training camp—timing, rotations, footwork—in an offense designed for greater team involvement. He’s also experimenting with new defensive strategies, keeping the players engaged.
Nurse has given Embiid the green light to take risks in shot-blocking, aiming for more swats and disruptions. This is a departure from the traditional approach but aligns with Nurse’s innovative coaching style.
Throughout these developments, Harden’s teammates remain supportive and focused, in stark contrast to past incidents involving distractions. Danny Green, a seasoned veteran, likens Nurse to the character Ted Lasso from the eponymous TV show, highlighting his laid-back, encouraging, and unconventional coaching style.
One notable aspect of Nurse’s system that Embiid appreciates is its openness, which isn’t centered solely on him and Harden. He relishes the dynamic ball movement and the emphasis on getting everyone involved, believing it to be the key to success and happiness for the entire team.
