NBA: 3 storylines to watch in the Eastern Conference post-All-Star break

James Harden (Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)
James Harden (Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)
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Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets James Harden (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

How will the Philadelphia 76ers look with James Harden?

After the blockbuster trade that sent James Harden to the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be a front-runner in the East. With Joel Embiid having an MVP caliber season, the addition of the former MVP makes the Sixers a force to be reconded with.

While this addition makes the Sixers better, Harden is far from the scorer that he used to be. He is currently posting career-low efficiencies as he has shifted his focus to playmaking, averaging 10.2 assists per game. Many people have questioned if Harden will run the one or the two for the Sixers and how his likely heavy minutes will cut into Tyrese Maxey’s (who’s having a phenomenal season, by the way) minutes.

It seems like this might finally be the year for the Sixers, as they’ve formed a scary big three of James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris. It’ll be interesting to see how to new-look Sixers compete in a loaded Eastern Conference. Now while many people are talking about the Harden Sixers, not as many people are as excited for the Brooklyn Nets.