With their loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, the LA Clippers fell to 0-5 since buying James Harden, with a complete of six straight losses. The Clippers all the time knew there was a danger after they traded for Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, and the early returns are actually trigger for concern.
With 5 straight losses in the beginning of the Harden period in LA, the Clippers seem removed from a title contender after buying the previous MVP. Even worse, their already established stars have performed worse since he joined the workforce, proving the adage “there’s just one basketball” to be true.
Whereas Harden’s arrival was all the time going to affect stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, in addition to Russell Westbrook, Clippers followers hoped he would make their lives simpler and never make them play worse. In 5 video games collectively, Kawhi and George are averaging simply 18 and 20.6 factors per recreation, whereas Westbrook and Harden are averaging 12.8 and 15 factors, respectively.
Are the Clippers in hassle after buying and selling for James Harden?
After a rocky begin to his Clippers profession, Harden himself admitted that it will take a while for him to be built-in into their system. Contemplating he was acquired after coaching camp and thru the primary a part of the season, it is affordable to anticipate there might be a studying curve for Harden.
Nonetheless, the Clippers gave up lots to accumulate him they usually cannot afford an prolonged dropping streak whereas he figures out his new function. It isn’t simply Harden, however Kawhi and George simply must play higher than they have already got.
Whereas the Sixers are rolling with out Harden and MVP Joel Embiid seems to take a parting shot at his former teammateIt appears they do not miss him. That is to not say the Clippers made a foul commerce based mostly solely on that, but it surely most likely does not encourage confidence.
Particularly since Harden is 34 and never recognized for caring for his physique, this raises considerations about how he’ll age. The early returns have not regarded nice, however he can nonetheless show helpful and his play and the best way it impacts Kawhi, George and Westbrook might be one thing to look out for sooner or later.
