We got a press conference two-fer on Tuesday. James Harden followed Ben Simmons, flanked by Paul Millsap, Josh Harris, Doc Rivers, and Daryl Morey.

Here’s a rundown:

  • Josh Harris wished Ben Simmons well and says it’s now time “to do this thing.”
  • Harris also thanked Harden for “choosing” Philadelphia, but don’t let the NBA’s tampering people see that quote.
  • Daryl Morey revealed that the Sixers did indeed target Millsap this offseason. They were talking to him in the summer and hoping to acquire him.
  • Doc Rivers talked about making a commitment to winning, and “that’s why we make trades like this.”

Harden was asked why he wanted out of Brooklyn and wanted to come to Philly:

“Originally, when I was going through everything I was going through in Houston, Philly was my first choice (instead of being traded to Brooklyn). It just didn’t happen. I don’t really want to get into the Brooklyn situation, but I knew for a long time this was a perfect fit and obviously you have the best big man in the league in Joel. The coaching, top to bottom it made sense. I’m just happy and blessed that I’m here. As Doc and everybody knows, and wants, it’s about winning and being the last team standing. I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Harden cleared up the opt-in situation, noting that he does still have the opportunity to exercise his $47 million dollar option and plans on doing it. He says everything happened so fast that he wanted to get here, take his time, and focus on the endgame of winning a championship.

More notes:

  • Harden thinks he’s a great partner for Embiid. He thinks Sixers fans are some of the best in the NBA. “Ride or die, probably the best fans in the NBA… just happy they’re on my side and I’m not getting booed.“
  • Howard THE KING Eskin asked about not having first round draft picks, to which Morey said “the focus is to win now… there are things you can do behind the scenes to modify things and make a first tradeable if you want to go that route.” He noted that they are in the window of Embiid, Harden, and Tobias Harris right now. “You have to give up something to make a trade and get a hall of famer.
  • On playing for three teams in 14 months, Harden says it wasn’t planned like that, but he’s here now, and happy about that.
  • Morey says this originally should have been a three-team deal. “The fit was there for that… should have originally been structured that way.”
  • Paul Millsap was just thankful to be asked a question at all.

Kyle Neubeck with the first on-court question, asking how playing with Embiid is different from playing with the rim running and roll bigs Harden has mostly played with in the past:

“We’re both at a high level to where we’ll figure it out. Joel does everything on the floor. And we got guys on our team who are very smart and communicate. We have coaching that’s going to put us in a position to be successful. There’s something great already going on, and I’m just here to contribute. I know I can do that very well. On the court, when you have high level skill guys who know the game and want to win, we’ll figure it out.”

RE: Ben Simmons, Morey admitted that they’ve been working on pulling off this trade since Rich Paul told them that his guy wanted out. They would have done a deal if they could have gotten it done then. He reiterated that they were looking for a high level player and did not want to settle for role players.

Other notes:

  • Daryl Morey kept saying Matisse “Tie-bull.” Huh? Are we saying it wrong? What gives?
  • Harden said the Kyrie Irving vaccination issue was “very minimal” in making him want out, but noted that it definitely did impact the team. “It was unfortunate that we played 16 games or whatever it was.“
  • Paul Millsap, Paul Reed, Charles Bassey are all options for backup center, but Doc Rivers said they’re looking in the buyout market as well.
  • Harden reiterated that he never chose Brooklyn over Philly. “It didn’t work like that.” It was up to Houston deciding which trade to make.
  • Harden says Tobias Harris is a versatile guy who can go for 20 a night, and it’s his job to “get that out of him.”
  • His hamstring feels good and he’s doing strengthening work right now. He feels like his conditioning is good as well.

That’ll do it for now. Can’t wait to actually see Harden and Simmons on the floor with their new teams.