James Harden’s Clippers debut didn’t go as planned, but he sees ‘unlimited possibilities’

NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Clippers had 4 days off earlier than James Harden’s season debut at Madison Square Garden, but it wasn’t precisely a mini-camp. Leading as much as Monday’s sport, Harden scrimmaged with some new teammates, although Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Ivica Zubac weren’t amongst them. The first time that crew performed 5-on-5 used to be the hole ownership in opposition to the New York Knicks, and, on a lot of events, it regarded find it irresistible. 

Early within the 3rd quarter, Harden ran a pick-and-roll with Zubac, threw a lob that sailed out of bounds and in an instant became round and raised his hand to take the blame. A couple of mins later, Leonard and Harden each became down blank catch-and-shoot 3s at the identical ownership. The Clippers dedicated 22 turnovers within the 111-97 loss, and the ones turnovers ended in 35 Knicks issues. 

On different events, although, it used to be simple to look Los Angeles’ imaginative and prescient. Early on, Harden threw a leap cross via Mitchell Robinson’s legs, main to 2 unfastened throws for Zubac. He made a stepback 3 in the second one quarter, made a floater in isolation in opposition to Donte DiVinenzo within the 3rd and created a nook 3 alternative for Leonard within the fourth. Harden, enjoying in his first NBA sport since mid-May, completed with 17 issues on 6-for-9 taking pictures in 31 mins to go at the side of six assists. 

“It felt kid of weird out there,” Harden stated, 130 days after opting into the general yr of his contract and soliciting for a industry from the Philadelphia 76ers. “But just not really having a preseason game or an opportunity to participate in a full training camp or none of that, I was just out there just basically winging it.”

Harden stated that he used to be drained within the first little while and that there used to be “a lot going on through my mind.” He additionally stated, although, that it “felt good” to be again at the courtroom and he is “excited about the journey.” On sharing the ground with Leonard, George and Westbrook, Harden stated he sees “unlimited possibilities.” 

It is notable that the ones 4, at the side of Zubac, had been at the ground firstly of the sport and within the ultimate aggressive portion of it — Tyronn Lue pulled the regulars with greater than 4 mins ultimate. Even with Terance Mann out of the lineup, the Clippers may have made up our minds to make use of Westbrook as a 6th guy, with P.J. Tucker or Norman Powell — extra herbal suits subsequent to high-usage gamers — within the first 5. Since closing week’s industry, Lue has many times stated that it is as much as him to ensure that everyone is engaged and in rhythm. Leonard didn’t run his first pick-and-roll till virtually midway throughout the first quarter, and George completed with a season-low 10 issues on a season-low 11 box objective makes an attempt. 

“It’s going to be a process,” Lue stated. “And I love the process we gotta go through to get to where we want to get to, and we’re going to get there for sure. But just trying to keep everybody in rhythm, with four dynamic scorers, it’s tough.”

Lue stated that he will “make some adjustments” to the rotation. One of them, then again, may don’t have anything to do with retaining the celebrities relaxed: Backup heart Mason Plumlee left the sport past due within the 3rd quarter when Knicks ahead Julius Randle dove into his left knee going for a unfastened ball. Plumlee needed to be carried off the courtroom and didn’t go back; the Clippers are calling the damage a knee sprain.

Without Plumlee, the Clippers referred to as on second-year giant guy Moussa Diabate firstly of the fourth quarter. The sport used to be tied at that time, but then New York constructed a 16-point lead via scoring at the first 10 possessions of the general body. If Plumlee’s damage is any place close to as unhealthy as it regarded, then they’re going to most likely want to play extra smallball.

Lue stated it will take him 10 video games to get used to his new crew and “understand what I need to do.” When Leonard completed the primary part with most effective 4 issues, Lue emphasised getting him extra concerned. The Clippers opened the 3rd quarter with a collection play that produced a Leonard dunk off of a minimize. Later, Harden screened for Leonard, the Knicks switched it and Leonard bullied Quentin Grimes for a bucket.

“I thought just getting him into a rhythm would help us out offensively, and it did,” Lue defined. “We just gotta make sure we just keep everybody engaged, as well as [Paul George] offensively as well.” Lue then praised Harden and Westbrook’s passing skill announcing, “I don’t think it’ll be a problem at all.”

The beginning lineup used to be -13 in 19 mins, and Lue stated that the Clippers want to get accustomed to each and every different, but they had been undone via turnovers and rebounds (New York had a 44.7% offensive rebounding charge), issues that predated Harden’s arrival. Leonard and George each praised Harden for purchasing others concerned, and Leonard downplayed the trouble of changing to Harden’s presence: “He’s coming off a pick-and-roll and he can make plays, and you’re usually open, so be ready to shoot the ball. Simple.”

In Game 1, this iteration of the Clippers didn’t have a lot ball motion within the halfcourt, nor did they put a lot power at the rim. There are many questions on how the celebrities can supplement each and every different, how Lue must stagger them and what lineups they must lean on in crunch time. For a workforce that fell aside within the fourth quarter, although, they sounded awfully assured about answering them — in time.

“We’ll figure it out,” George remarked. “First game. A lot of moving pieces. But it was fun. Honestly being on the court and playing with those guys tonight was fun. And a lot of optimism going forward.”