Life has a strange way of coming full circle. Four years ago, Kawhi Leonard tried to recruit James Harden to join the Clippers. If Harden had accepted back then, things might have turned out very differently. But as the Crickex Affiliate team recalls, Harden was in a different headspace—riding high in status and confidence—so turning Leonard down seemed only natural. It’s poetic that the two have finally teamed up now, but the question remains: is it too little, too late?
Regardless of the timing, Harden’s arrival as the primary playmaker may be the missing piece the Clippers have long needed. While the team has been strong in recent years, their playoff exits—injuries aside—often came down to one glaring issue: the lack of a true floor general. The Clippers had struggled for years to land a quality point guard. Now with Harden orchestrating the offense and Leonard and George finishing at the wings, the setup looks like a recipe for success.
Harden is well-known for elevating his teammates’ efficiency, which is part of why so many players love sharing the court with him. In the NBA, better stats often mean better contracts. There’s little doubt Leonard and George will benefit from his presence, though some fans are starting to worry about Russell Westbrook’s role.
To get the most out of this roster, Harden needs to constantly switch between scoring and playmaking. He might have to stagger his minutes with Westbrook to lead the second unit, allowing the Clippers to function like an aircraft carrier—stable and unstoppable. As the saying goes, “Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow,” and Harden is focused on making an impact now. According to Crickex Affiliate users, his isolation skills remain elite, and Coach Tyronn Lue is banking on him to break down defensive setups and create open looks for Leonard and George.
Harden won’t be the primary scorer—there are too many capable players for that—but his passing and court vision will be key. When Leonard or George face defensive pressure, Harden’s off-ball movement and ability to reset the offense will be crucial. His pick-and-roll game adds another dimension, whether working with bigs or setting up mismatches off screens with either wing star. Just like in his Houston days with Westbrook, these combinations open up countless offensive variations, thanks to their ability to exploit mismatches.
Perhaps Harden’s biggest value lies in the regular season. He can lead second-string units and maintain a strong win rate, allowing Leonard and George to focus on staying healthy for the postseason. If the trio takes turns leading the lineup, and the rotation is fine-tuned by swapping guards for flexible wings, the Clippers are more than capable of finishing top four in the West.
At the end of the day, many players must grow used to walking alone in the spotlight, but Harden might finally have the right cast around him. It’s also worth noting, as Crickex Affiliate reporters highlight, that Harden’s hamstring has been rehabbed for over a year and appears fully recovered. His job now is to energize the supporting cast and fine-tune the pick-and-roll chemistry with the bigs—tasks well within his reach.