James Harden, the newest addition to the Los Angeles Clippers, is already under scrutiny after just two games with his new team. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins, speaking on First Take, expressed concern for Clippers coach Ty Lue, stating, “I feel so bad for my brother Ty Lue. I actually said a prayer for him (…) for what he’s about to go through with this situation. He deserves better. When you look at this team, before they traded for James Harden, they weren’t missing anything.”
Molly Qerim: “Will Harden ever be a hero again?”
Kendrick Perkins: “Absolutely not. I don’t believe Harden cares if he’s gonna be a hero.”
Perk woke up with spicy words for James Harden 😬
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/33XRp23L86
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 9, 2023
Perkins is not alone in questioning the Clippers’ decision to acquire Harden, with many commentators expressing skepticism and a lack of trust in Harden’s words. Harden, after the fallout in Philadelphia, faces the task of repairing his image once again. Joining the Clippers marks his fifth team, and at 34 years old, he finds himself on the league’s oldest roster. Both Harden and the Clippers may see their championship window closing rapidly.
The dynamics within the Clippers’ roster will be closely observed, especially regarding Harden’s role and how well he can coexist with stars like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook. The challenge lies in the limited time available for the Clippers to make the combination work seamlessly. As the team navigates this crucial period, Harden may need to play the role of a hero, making significant sacrifices to ensure success for the collective goal. The pressure is on for the Clippers to integrate their new star efficiently, making the most of the time they have to contend for a championship.