{"id":274016,"date":"2023-12-19T10:21:43","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T18:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ballislife.com\/?p=274016"},"modified":"2023-12-19T10:21:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T18:21:45","slug":"james-harden-clippers-have-arrived","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ballislife.com\/james-harden-clippers-have-arrived\/","title":{"rendered":"James Harden's Clippers Have Arrived"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When James Harden requested a trade out of Philadelphia last offseason, there surprisingly weren't many buyers in his market. Harden is a former MVP. But most teams didn't want to give up valuable assets for a disgruntled star in the final year of an expensive contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Los Angeles Clippers, on the other hand, kept an eye on the 76er guard throughout the summer. Three games into the 2023 season, the Clippers sent<\/a> a collection of role players and draft picks for the reigning assist leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clippers had a good reason to make the trade. The duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have yet to provide the franchise its first championship due to injuries or playoff meltdowns. Harden would give the team additional all-star-level help for the core's possible last season together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the new roster got off to the worst start possible. They lost six straight games immediately after the acquisition, falling to 3-7 overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The offense didn't have an ounce of rhythm. There was only one basketball to accommodate ball-dominant starters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, the backcourt pairing of Harden and Russell Westbrook noticeably failed to coexist. In his 111-97 debut loss to the New York Knicks, the former teammates logged 31 minutes each. However, they struggled to establish the team's primary facilitator when on the court together. With no floor general, the starting group took turns creating their own shot. The offense's flow suffered as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Angeles finished the game with a season-high 22 turnovers, more than their assists (21). Westbrook contributed five turnovers of his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But head coach Ty Lue had faith in his team smoothing the bumps despite the alarming start. After their sixth-straight defeat, Lue asked Westbrook to come off the bench. And it's working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Angeles has a 13-3 record with Harden as the starting point guard. The squad's eight victories in a row is the longest active winning streak in the league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flash-forward 40 days from losing to the Knicks, the Clippers beat New York 144-122. The offense showed an efficient flow with Harden at the helm and Russ playing just 15 minutes. The team produced 36 assists and only eight turnovers. Harden was responsible for 12 of those assists, along with 10 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s almost 2024 and 35 a night is no longer the norm for James Harden but he\u2019s putting on effortless passing clinics night in and night out. Even though he missed some games this season he's already 13 assists past Russ Westbrook overall. It really is crazy that he\u2019s found\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ppfj78vu4W<\/a><\/p>— Maxwell Clark - West Coast Hoops (@ClarkieCaps) December 14, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>