James Harden is off to a very bad start on the team he long wanted to be on. In fact, the Los Angeles Clippers cannot win with Harden playing as they stand at a 3-5 start. James Harden, the star guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, needs to follow this advice from head coach Tyronn Lue. Lue wants Harden to play to his natural style rather than worry about fitting in with the group dynamic.
Lue during a post-game interview said, “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.” Fans did not like this statement from coach Lue and his idea of ‘playing through James’ when they can play through Kawhi Leonard, another superstar on the team.
“We’re going to play through James.” pic.twitter.com/8p755QpnJJ
— 🦇 (@Shadowiscold) November 12, 2023
“Is the man retarded?” was written on a picture posted by a fan in reaction to Coach Lue’s statement. Other than hating on Lue, fans were also noticeably trolling Harden for his “I’m the system” comments. Harden has not performed up to par in the three games he has played contributing to the team’s dismal record in those games.
Tyronn Lue highlights what James Harden has to do to hit it running
Ty Lue claimed to have given Harden the green light to play his style against Memphis at practice on Saturday. In just six shot attempts, Harden finished with just 14 points and six assists, demonstrating how LA still lacks an offensive hierarchy. Nevertheless, head coach Lue doesn’t think that Harden has had the greatest difficulty on the offensive end.
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
To fully use their all-star team, the Clippers need to strike the correct balance that allows Harden to show off his offensive skills. Harden should also be collaborating with other important players to win games. Given Harden’s basketball intelligence, the Clippers may find success if they allow him to contribute in the way that suits him best.
LA Clippers to face defending champions Denver Nuggets next
Better days must be on the horizon, but not for now, at least for LA supporters. When Harden and the Clippers head to Denver on Tuesday night to take on Nikola Jokic and the reigning champions, it doesn’t get any easier. It has now been five games without a win for the Clippers. Since acquiring Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, they have not had a victory.
Harden has yet to establish that consistency in LA which is a consequence of missing the team’s first four games. The latest tactic used by head coach Tyronn Lue—playing through Harden—may completely destroy any chance of challenging for a title.