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The Los Angeles Clippers made waves last week when they finally decided to pull the trigger and trade for James Harden.
The Clippers sent out multiple expiring contracts and draft assets to the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire Harden, though the early returns haven’t been great as the team has dropped three consecutive games.
Their most recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks was an embarrassing one as they were blown out after leading the game in the first quarter.
Defensively, Los Angeles has struggled to contain dribble penetration and don’t have much rim protection to boot.
Harden also hasn’t helped much offensively as he looks passive with the basketball and often defers to his teammates.
Head coach Tyronn Lue was asked about Harden’s fit and he was candid in his assessment via Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
Tyronn Lue on James Harden’s fit with Clippers so far:
“He’s doing too much to try to fit in. We had a meeting yesterday and we said he needs to be James Harden… we have to allow him to be himself… We’re going to play through James.”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 12, 2023
Lue’s comments are spot on as Harden does indeed look like he’s trying to figure out where he should be on the floor at times and that’s hurt the offense.
The Clippers brought in Harden to handle the basketball and be a playmaker for the team, so Lue could be alluding to more on-ball opportunities for the former MVP going forward.
There’s still time for L.A. and Harden to figure things out, though the urgency is reaching its peak considering how all-in the team is on a championship this season.
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