Los Angeles Clippers’ newest addition, James Harden, is gearing up to make his debut for the team on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, and he’s determined to help the Clippers in their quest for an NBA championship, per NBA.com.
Harden’s journey to the Clippers has been a long-awaited one, as he had been seeking a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers since the summer. After joining the team last week, he has been actively immersing himself in the Clippers’ style of play, studying game footage and engaging in practice sessions with his new teammates.
When asked about his expectations for his first game against the New York Knicks, Harden confidently stated, “Definitely.” His presence at Madison Square Garden holds significance, as he shares the opponent scoring record at the historic venue with the late Kobe Bryant, having scored 61 points for the Houston Rockets on January 23, 2019. In his time with the 76ers, Harden’s role primarily revolved around setting up All-Star center Joel Embiid, but with the Clippers, he anticipates taking on multiple roles, alternating between scoring and facilitating.
With a roster that boasts star talents like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers are poised to be strong contenders for an NBA championship. Coach Tyronn Lue has outlined a plan where Westbrook will handle most of the point guard duties, allowing Harden to play off the ball when they share the court. However, Harden is no stranger to the unpredictability of injuries derailing championship aspirations, and he emphasizes the importance of using the regular season to ensure readiness for the postseason.
Harden acknowledges that the NBA season is a journey marked by ups and downs, and every team goes through its share of challenges. For the Clippers, the focus is on meticulous preparation to excel when it truly counts in the playoffs. As Harden puts it, “It’s a game by game, step by step, and I think we’re building to be really good in the postseason. So obviously there’s going to be good times, some bad times in the NBA season, which I think every team goes through that. So I think for us, it’s just making sure we’re prepared when it’s time.”
