Will the Clippers Contend with Harden

Photo Credit: Getty Images, Ringer illustration

The Los Angeles Clippers made a blockbuster move to acquire future Hall of Famer James Harden to pair him with their Big 3 of Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Kawhi Leonard. Since the trade, the Clippers are 0-4 with losses to the struggling Memphis Grizzlies and a thrashing against the Dallas Mavericks 144-126. The Clippers seem to have an identity issue within the team as the roles have been flipped upside down, adding such a high-usage player in James Harden.

Commitment to defense

Photo Credit:LM Otero, Associated Press

If the Clippers want any shot of contending in the Western Conference stacked with talent, they have to commit to playing defense in four games with Harden. The Clippers have a defensive rating of 119.2, which would be third highest in the NBA behind only the Charlotte Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs. This team has Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two of the best two-way players in the NBA this is something that has to change if they want to contend and that comes down to effort as they have the players for it.

Harden be Yourself

Photo Credit:John Munson, Associated Press

Yesterday’s game was a great indication of how it’s been going for the Clippers as they lost the Harden minutes by 28 points and won the minutes he was on the bench by 24 points in the four games the Clippers have lost the Harden minutes by 67 points. For such a superstar offensive player who we know won’t add much defensively, he has to be aggressive in his minutes on the court, or he will be a double negative the Clippers, who traded two-way players in exchange for Harden’s offense, the Clippers need Harden to step up on that end of the floor. The Clippers have time on their side as it’s only November, and it’s a very long season, but the ship needs to get right as this could be the last real shot for the Clippers to cash in on the Paul George and Kawhi Leonard era of Clippers basketball.