Tyronn Lue took over the Cavaliers during the campaign, to lead them to the NBA title. Since 2020, he has been at the head of the Clippers, managing the injury absences of his leaders. But the integration of James Harden on the fly is, by his own admission, the biggest challenge that presented itself to him as a coach.
“This is my most complicated challenge as a coach, but I am ready to take it on” he explains to Bleacher Report after his team’s sixth consecutive defeat against the Nuggets. “The most important thing is that these guys sacrifice for others, whether it’s starting the game, finishing the game, in terms of shots, in the number of times they touch the ball, in who generates the pick- and-rolls, and so on. Getting these guys to make sacrifices will be the biggest challenge of the entire season. »
It must be said that with James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have brought together four players who have spent most of their career with the ball in their hands.
“A bullet and four good bastards”
“We all respect this adjustment. We must make sacrifices. We understand it. It’s as simple as that. Nobody goes against that. No one is frustrated about this”assures Paul George. “We know what we have. There’s a ball and four good bastards. We understand it and we accept it. We want to help each other and I don’t think there’s a single person who complains about that. »
James Harden also recognizes that he is no longer used to playing without the leather in his hands, and that he is currently trying to find the balance between playing without the ball and creating on the pick-and-roll. While not really being in the best shape physically.
“I’m just trying to find a way to impact the game. I’m using the first ten games to get back into physical condition for NBA basketball. I haven’t had a training camp, so it’s going to take time.”
As for how long it will take to get this group up and running…
“When we find the solutions, it will be scary”he concludes. “We are getting there. We let others talk and we work. It’s going to take time and that’s okay.”
