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James Harden includes Joel Embiid in all-time starting five despite their rift

James Harden's all-time starting five of former teammates features Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, himself, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid.

Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden has played alongside some of the most talented players in the NBA, making it no easy task to choose a starting five from his former teammates.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid

Position: C

Age: 31

Height: 213 cm

Weight: 113 kg

Birth place: Yaounde, Cameroon

But that's exactly what he did in a recent interview with Lacy, revealing his all-time lineup:

Kyrie Irving

Russell Westbrook

James Harden

Kevin Durant

Joel Embiid

Of all the names, Embiid's inclusion might be the most surprising.

The 2023 NBA MVP recently told ESPN that Harden no longer speaks to him, expressing hurt over their broken relationship and suggesting Harden may wrongly blame him for his departure from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Harden, a former MVP himself and one of the league's top playmakers, was traded to the LA Clippers in October 2023—just months after the Sixers' playoff run ended with a loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

His exit came amid public tension with Philadelphia's front office.

Still, Harden admitted the toughest spot to fill was point guard.

"That point guard position is crazy," he said. "You've got CP [Chris Paul], you've got Russ, and you've got Kyrie."

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