Now that we’ve settled on James Harden’s latest destination…the LA Clippers; “The Beard,” yet again left a negative mark on his previous location. Now the question persists- is there any pleasing James Harden?
James Harden Changes Teams…Again
One thing beyond dispute is no matter what happens the rest of his career, Harden will go down as an all-time great. In his prime for the Houston Rockets, he was one of the finest isolation scorers in the history of the game. In his sleep, he scored 50 points on a nightly basis winning an MVP along the way. It’s not easy to be as durable as he was. Playing vast minutes and still breaking records. Records such as the most games of 40-10-5 by anyone in 50 seasons, during the 2019-20 season.
Nor is it easy to have entire defensive game plans focused on stopping you, and still producing. Even if his isolation playing style drove purists mad. Either way, It worked and he’s won a lot of games. Just no titles as yet.
Unfortunately, his career has fallen from grace of late, chasing that elusive ring. Most of it is his own doing. It now seems to be an annual event where he will force his next trade destination.
Is there a situation where he will be comfortable spending an extended amount of time to rebuild his reputation as a malcontent? Perhaps in Lala Land. One thing is for sure, he has work to do to fix his troubled reputation.
Analyzing the Clippers as a Positive Fit for Harden
From the Clippers perspective, they needed a playmaker. As a pure playmaker, he’s an upgrade to Russell Westbrook in terms of ball-handling, vision, and scoring off the dribble.
Harden, to his credit, has transitioned his game very well as an elite passing Point Guard in this league. Averaging 21 points and 10.7 assists last year, leading the league in assists for the Sixers. On paper matching him up with eventual league MVP Joel Embiid was a match made in heaven last year for the Sixers. However, inevitably, it didn’t work out. According to sources, Harden was very upset he didn’t make last season’s All-Star team to add to his 10 prior appearances. Furthermore, just like in previous destinations his role on the offense became very much an issue. Hence forcing his way to LA.
Jalen Brunson of the Knicks could also feel aggrieved about missing out as an All-Star. The difference? Brunson worked harder for his teammates leading them to a Conference Semi. Harden, however, chose the opposite.
Will things be different in LA? That’s the question. Looking at his career to date, it’s hard to see why he will ever change.
However, on paper It can be positive for several reasons for the Clippers offensively:
1- It’s a fantastic insurance policy. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are two of the elite players in this league. Kawhi, when healthy is possibly the best two-way player in the league. Certainly one of the most clutch in the playoffs. The title he won for Toronto attests to that. Unfortunately, he’s an injury waiting to happen. Indeed having missed all of last season. The torn ACL then meniscus has seen him miss considerable seasons. He will need his knees managed this season.
Paul George as great as he is, also has a long injury history. This means that Harden can seamlessly fit as a third option and primary ball-handler. Or when the above two need rest, he can comfortably step up as the go-to scorer when needed.
2- He doesn’t have to worry about defense as much. Kawhi and George are two of the elite defenders. Along with versatile defender PJ Tucker as part of the trade.
3- With Russell Westbrook they they shared the same backcourt in Houston meaning there is familiarity. It will mean casting aside their differences when back in Houston though.
Again, on paper. The Clippers are stacked with depth, stardom, and scoring, to help them be a contender in the West.
James Harden’s Past
Unfortunately, history tends to repeat itself when the mercurial Harden is involved. It’s still unclear if there is any pleasing James Harden. The narrative often changes as to what it is he wants.
Casting back to his Houston days, he has unrivaled power in organizations. He asked for Chris Paul, and Darryl Morey the then Rockets GM traded for him. It seemed to go well for a season, and indeed they were likely a Paul hamstring away from winning it all that year over the dynasty Warriors. Yet their relationship soured and he demanded Paul to be traded. Morey again obliged and brought in Russell Westbrook. That relationship soured quickly and they both ended up asking to be traded a year later.
When Harden forced a trade from Houston- an organization that catered to his every need; he left acrimoniously and massively out of shape. Getting his wish to go to the Brooklyn Nets to play beside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant as a ‘Big-3’. If ever there was a more dysfunctional backcourt I’ve yet to see it. Kyrie and Harden are equally mercurial in different ways. Both are All-time greats but the fit wasn’t there. Not only in terms of opposite personalities but also on the court, as there is only one ball. Meanwhile, it’s well-known Irving marches to the beat of his own drum, as does Harden.
It wasn’t long until Harden requested another trade. Again, he got his wish to the exact location he desired in Philadelphia, to reunite him with Darryl Morey. Even that relationship lasted a year.
Then Morey and Harden butted heads. At one stage during their Houston days, both staked their careers on one another. Morey was the one who brought Harden to Houston and gave him the platform to become a legend. By the same token, Harden repaid him with historic seasons. It often meant holding his nose to Harden’s off-court nightlife and catering to his demands. Harden respected Morey for a long time.
Yet Harden this past offseason, terminated their relationship by publically saying in a public event: “Morey is a liar, I will never be part of an organization he’s part of.” This seems to be a recurring theme. Whether Harden likes it or not, this is his reputation now as a mercurial star, yet also a malcontent that burns bridges. It’s a trend he seems unwilling to shake for whatever reason.
Changing the Narrative
Is there any pleasing Harden? It’s a question that can only be answered by the player himself.
All in all, I find it unlikely to see how this situation will be different. Yet this is an ideal opportunity to answer if there is any pleasing Harden. Simply by changing the narrative. It’s more than possible. If he can repair the relationship with Westbrook and make it work on the court, which it did at times in Houston.
Also, Harden plays far better alongside guys who aren’t ball-dominant players. He worked very well with Kevin Durant and latterly Embiid. Although, in fairness, both are perfect teammates as team-first guys. Nevertheless, Durant is happy to play off-ball, as will Paul George and Kawhi be in LA as two-way players.
Furthermore, all are California natives, so their personalities should mesh well.
Harden suits the larger markets and has no trouble tailoring his game when the situation requires it. He’s that good. It simply comes down to if he can stay in shape, and stay motivated.
James Harden’s Last Shot
This is truly Harden’s last chance to make it right. He forms yet another “Big-3,” whilst forcing his way into another situation of his choice. I can’t envision another shot at a title better than this one at this stage of his career. His reputation for playoff struggles and off-court stuff continues to haunt him and his incredible basketball legacy.
His legacy is on the line to some degree. Not in terms of talent, however. Currently on 3 straight seasons of averaging 10 assists or more. 5 straight seasons of averaging between 29 and 36 points per game between 2015 and 2020. Truly historic numbers. His greatness, can’t be questioned. Few can go from being one of the best scorers to being an elite pass-first playmaker so seamlessly.
What plagues him, therefore, is all the other stuff that comes along with it. And I sense that the league is growing tired of it also. The trade returns are decreasing. For instance, the Clippers managed to acquire him without giving up Norman Powell and Terance Mann. A huge win for their depth and their chances of a deep playoff run. It’s now up to Harden to be the final piece. He has to be a better teammate in order to do so.
To answer if there is any pleasing James Harden? The only answer is…if it isn’t Los Angeles with that Clippers roster, then likely nothing will. Not if his history is anything to go by. Still, it’s over to you James Harden.
