On the arrival of James Harden has Los Angeles, there The big question concerned his integration into the squad and his understanding with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and especially Russell Westbrook on the field. More than two months after his departure from the Sixers, we can say that the process is following its course: 4th place in the West, with 17.1 points, 8.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 interceptions of the 2018 MVP (at 43% at 3- points).
Everything obviously wasn't perfect (and still isn't), but the Clippers are gaining strength over the weeks, to the point that, since November 17, they quite simply have the best record in the league: 22 wins and 6 defeats. A date which coincides with the exit of Russell Westbrook from the Californian starting five, in order to introduce Terance Mann and therefore to leave James Harden as the main custodian of the team's play.
Two similar visions
However, if Los Angeles managed to reverse the trend after a delicate start (3-7, including 0-5 for James Harden's first five games), it is largely thanks to the great complicity which was tied between Tyron Lue and the three-time leading scorer in the league.
“ He's someone who sees the game the way I see it, from the point of view of a leader, of a coach » judge the coach of Angelenos. “ Situations where we see how other teams defend us and how we can take advantage of them. »
What James Harden can only confirm himselfhelped in particular by all the good advice and encouragement from Tyronn Lue, who constantly urged him to remain himself and not to restrict himself on the floor.
“ I think it helped me a lot not to think too much, to communicate well with the guys after free throws and to put them in the right positions » indicates the former OKC, Houston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia player on this subject.
Meets initial expectations
Now free from criticism because the victories are piling up, “the system” James Harden is flourishing greatly with the Clippers and his relationship with his coach is in good shape. Which benefits all his teammates around him.
“ Communication is amazing » appreciates the future Hall of Famer. “ [Tyronn Lue] just allows me to be free, to be who I am. As I already said, it is not limited to scoring, there is my reading of defenses, my vision of the different matches and the fact of placing Kawhi [Leonard] And [Paul George] in the best positions, to play the pick-and-roll with [Ivica Zubac] Or [Daniel Theis] so they get easy baskets. It's everything I expected. »
“ We understand what is at stake and sacrifice comes naturally“
At the age of 34, James Harden seems above all to have understood that time is running out and that he does not have many opportunities left to add the Larry O'Brien trophy to his already very well-stocked individual list of achievements.
These Los Angeles Clippers 2023/24 version perhaps represent the best chance of his career, especially since the ten-time All-Star allows them to “aim higher” and, precisely, that is what suggests Paul Georgeanother title weaned player.
“ We understand what is at stake and sacrifice comes naturally » assures the winger. “ We just want to win, no matter how. We don't worry about who takes the shots, who has a big offensive night. [Nous voulons] finish the match with victory and everyone will be happy. When you put everything into perspective and you look at our accomplishments, we've, quote unquote, made our money in this league, but none of that matters at the end of the day. It's just about how we can come together every night to get the win. »
| James Harden | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2009-10 | OKAY | 76 | 23 | 40.3 | 37.5 | 80.8 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.9 |
| 2010-11 | OKAY | 82 | 27 | 43.6 | 34.9 | 84.3 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 12.2 |
| 2011-12 | OKAY | 62 | 31 | 49.1 | 39.0 | 84.6 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 16.8 |
| 2012-13 | HOU | 78 | 38 | 43.8 | 36.8 | 85.1 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 25.9 |
| 2013-14 | HOU | 73 | 38 | 45.6 | 36.6 | 86.6 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 25.4 |
| 2014-15 | HOU | 81 | 37 | 44.0 | 37.5 | 86.8 | 0.9 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 7.0 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 27.4 |
| 2015-16 | HOU | 82 | 38 | 43.9 | 35.9 | 86.0 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 7.5 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 29.0 |
| 2016-17 | HOU | 81 | 36 | 44.0 | 34.7 | 84.7 | 1.2 | 7.0 | 8.1 | 11.2 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 29.1 |
| 2017-18 ★ | HOU | 72 | 35 | 44.9 | 36.7 | 85.8 | 0.6 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 8.8 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 4.4 | 0.7 | 30.4 |
| 2018-19 | HOU | 78 | 37 | 44.2 | 36.8 | 87.9 | 0.9 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 36.1 |
| 2019-20 | HOU | 68 | 37 | 44.4 | 35.5 | 86.5 | 1.0 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 34.3 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 44 | 37 | 46.6 | 36.2 | 86.1 | 0.8 | 7.1 | 7.9 | 10.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 24.6 |
| 2020-21 * | BRK | 36 | 37 | 47.1 | 36.6 | 85.6 | 0.8 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 24.6 |
| 2020-21 * | HOU | 8 | 36 | 44.4 | 34.7 | 88.3 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 10.4 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 24.8 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 65 | 37 | 41.0 | 33.0 | 87.7 | 0.9 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 10.3 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 22.0 |
| 2021-22 * | BRK | 44 | 37 | 41.4 | 33.2 | 86.9 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 10.2 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.8 | 0.7 | 22.5 |
| 2021-22 * | PHL | 21 | 38 | 40.2 | 32.6 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 10.5 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 21.1 |
| 2022-23 | PHL | 58 | 37 | 44.1 | 38.5 | 86.7 | 0.7 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 10.7 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 21.0 |
| 2023-24 | LAKE | 32 | 34 | 46.3 | 42.6 | 87.3 | 0.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 8.4 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 17.3 |
| Total | 1032 | 35 | 44.3 | 36.4 | 86.0 | 0.8 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 7.1 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 24.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
