Three matches, three defeats for the Clippers version James Harden, and last night, in Dallas, the team was up to 32 points behind! On arrival, one more defeat, with a defense still lacking (144 points conceded), and an attack that is coughing. Difficult to find automatisms in a week, and Jason Kidd steps up to defend the “Fab Four” of Los Angeles.
“They are talented. They are very well coached. Ty is one of the best coaches in the NBA” assures Jason Kidd. “Every time there is a trade, there is a period of adjustment. But when you talk about MVPs and All-Stars and their offense, they have it all and they all know how to play. It’s only a matter of time before it clicks. »
Paul George erased
We also believed that the trigger had taken place at the start of the match with a Harden-Leonard tandem which combined well. But the defense adapted very quickly, and the Doncic-Irving duo was able to develop quick play to turn the tide of the match. The most worrying thing about this meeting is the role of Paul George.
For the first time since his arrival at the Clippers, “PG13” did not score a single point in the first half! He finished with only 8 points, and seemed lost in this new five.
“Paul George had an excellent start to the season. We want to make sure he stays in the rhythm of the game and doesn’t get lost.” says Tyronn Lue. “It’s my job to make sure we call systems for him.” Coming out of a timeout, if he hasn’t touched the ball in a while, we have to try to find him and keep him in rhythm. »
He could be expected to defend on Luka Doncic, but Tyronn Lue didn’t call on him. Since the arrival of James Harden, Paul George has seen his points average halved, and he displays catastrophic percentages: 28% on shots, including 17% on 3-pointers. It’s all about rhythm, as Tyronn Lue explains.
Who will be the “glue guy” of this group?
“It’s my job to make sure everyone is involved in the game” continues Tyronn Lue about Paul George. “None of the guys are selfish. None of these guys do things that aren’t necessary, which would make things difficult. We just have to make sure we play the length of the game, and that we play it the right way. It’s my job to make sure everyone stays engaged.”
What does Paul George think? The person explains that he wants to be the “glue guy” of the team, but he loses his aggressiveness. “I told myself I was going to save energy for defense, but once again it didn’t work. I let the team down with this approach, but it won’t happen again. My mindset will always be focused on attacking.”
Kawhi Leonard takes an example from the Mavericks, where Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving took time to learn to play together.
“We have four guys on the pitch who are used to having a ball, finding rhythm just by touching it”recalls Kawhi Leonard. “We can see it, we saw it with Luka and Kyrie [Irving] Last year. They were trying to find each other. I repeat, the more we play together, the more we begin to understand what each person can bring and what each person wants. »
James Harden out of shape
Everything obviously starts with James Harden, the latest arrival. After the meeting, the former MVP recalled that the situation (which he created) placed him in complicated conditions. “I didn’t have a training camp. I didn’t have a preseason. Everything is going too fast for me. I need a ten-game window to see where I am. »
James Harden explains that he is not in shape, and yet Tyronn Lue puts him in the starting lineup, and gives him 30 minutes of playing time. There is reason to be disturbed, even when your name is Paul George.
“I feel like we have to learn to adapt,” Paul George said. “It’s not a question of liking him or not, it’s just that he’s trying too. We’re all trying to make it work. I’m here to try to learn on the job, to understand on the fly, like the rest of us. I do what T-Lue sees on the field and, again, at some point, it will work and no one will talk about the rotations, the guys on the field and the squad anymore…”.
