In James Harden’s remaining complete season with the Houston Rockets, they attempted one thing radical, swapping their rim-protecting heart (Clint Capela) for a 3-and-D ahead (Robert Covington) and having a bet that the advantages — spacing for Russell Westbrook and Harden, pace, switchability — would outweigh the massive, evident downside: No one within the rotation was once taller than 6-foot-8.
In retrospect, the experiment was once extra interesting than it was once modern. The post-trade Rockets had been ambitious within the common season — they outscored warring parties through 7.8 issues according to 100 possessions with each Covington and P.J. Tucker at the court docket, according to Cleaning The Glass — however, in the second one spherical of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers driven them round, disregarded Westbrook at the perimeter and disposed of them in 5 video games. Teams have persevered to use unconventional lineups since then, however going centerless is typically a transformation of tempo, no longer a kick off point, and the league has trended larger, no longer smaller.
What if that Houston group, which went out within the bubble beginning Harden and Westbrook subsequent to Eric Gordon, Covington and Tucker, could have swapped two of its supporting characters for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George? And what if, as an alternative of punting on conventional bigs, it was once in a position to upload all of this talent whilst keeping up its dimension?
This is the promise of the Los Angeles Clippers. By obtaining Harden and Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, they are able to throw out a Harden-Westbrook-George-Leonard-Tucker lineup, transfer on the subject of everything, and, in concept a minimum of, pile up issues enjoying 5-out. Harden is now 34, Westbrook nearly 35 and Tucker 38, however, with two star wings flanking them, the ex-Rockets may not have to do up to they did 4 seasons in the past. And with Ivica Zubac positive to stay the Clippers’ beginning heart, plus Mason Plumlee backing him up, trainer Tyronn Lue can use small ball the way in which contemporary champions have: as a counterpunch.
If Lue desires to steadiness the rotation, he would possibly no longer even get started Westbrook. I really like the speculation of Harden, George, Leonard and Zubac beginning subsequent to Terance Mann, Tucker and even Norman Powell, whose taking pictures and slashing would make him a perilous (and extraordinarily overqualified) No. 4 possibility. The Clippers don’t seem to be moderately as stacked with function gamers as they seemed to be getting into remaining season, however their most sensible 9 is up there with any one’s, which is extra necessary.
For the Clippers, who’re totally dedicated to chasing the championship this season and face huge query marks after that, this was once most likely the most productive commerce they could have made. They have by no means been a in particular just right passing group within the Leonard-George technology, in order that they received the fellow who led the league in assists remaining season and completed 2nd the season ahead of that. In 2022-23, for all their intended intensity, they just outscored warring parties through 1.3 issues according to 100 possessions when Leonard was once at the court docket with out George and had been outscored (-1.4) when George was once at the court docket with out Leonard, according to Cleaning The Glass. Harden will have to ease the playmaking burden on either one of them and, preferably, get them extra open appears.
For Harden, who from time to time when enjoying with Joel Embiid discovered it difficult no longer to be in a position to run the display the way in which he was once used to and said he had to change his game for the reason that Philadelphia 76ers did not have a lob danger, partnering with Zubac will have to be a blast. Like Westbrook remaining season, he’ll get pleasure from the Clippers’ collective taking pictures, switchability and the entire consideration that opposing defenses have to pay to Leonard and George. It will probably be even cleaner if Harden is prepared to take spot-up 3s semi-frequently and can get at ease operating dribble handoffs with Plumlee, however, typically talking, that is an atmosphere the place he can also be himself.
After a 3rd fulfilled commerce request in not up to 3 years, Harden has discovered himself on a roster that blends the customized have compatibility that he had in Houston with the sheer ability that he had subsequent to him in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. No one is aware of what would possibly occur if this crew does not jell, as Leonard, George, Harden and Westbrook could all be loose brokers in July, however it seems that the bearded long run Hall of Famer has everything he could have requested for.Â
Well, nearly everything: It’s a disgrace that Los Angeles could not get Danuel House Jr. within the deal and stay Covington out of it.