Comments on: 2025 Clippers Player Preview: James Harden

By: zhiv

zhiv — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 01:17:02 +0000

Just getting around to seeing this and reading through it. It’s an excellent breakdown of Harden and his status. I’m just coming off reading the Kris Dunn and Bones previews, and I would have thought, after looking at those, that Dunn, coming off the bench with Norm Powell, should provide all the backup that Harden needs.

But the load on Harden is a heavy one, and I wonder if looking around for some minutes for Bones might not make things easier for Harden. I’m expecting Harden to be extremely effective, and we saw how he makes everybody else better, starting with Zu. The trick is to prevent him from getting worn down–and we saw that happen at some points last year. There will be plenty of addition by subtraction with Westbrook gone. There was a lot of talk and good analysis about how playing Harden and Westbrook together didn’t work at all, and it’s a big deal to have that option erased. Paul George did make things easier for Harden, and his absence will increase Harden’s load.

I’m really looking forward to watching JH all year, and I think the Clippers will be extremely effective and dangerous when Kawhi comes around. I also said that I’m exciting about seeing Harden and Nic Batum playing together. Kawhi’s staggered start means that Batum will be featured prominently right up front, and there will be a good amount of Kobe Brown early on as well. We’ll see how that goes, but I think that the Harden-led Clippers will be much better and more fun to watch than the PG-led Clippers, sans Kawhi.

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:29:27 +0000

That’s why the back-up PG position is vital to this team.

By: JCplusULTRA

JCplusULTRA — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 16:04:36 +0000

I don’t know why everyone is so down on Harden. Yes, he’s 35, but his game is not centered around athleticism. He’s built his career on his shooting, passing, and craftiness. He’s SMART! This is a man who exploited the NBA rules SO MUCH they literally had to change the rules because of him. He doesn’t have a lightning first step anymore, but he can totally exploit his craftiness and footwork to be like an older SGA. He can slow down and shift in all directions to get his angles no problem. His down years outside of Houston were because of both injury and lesser roles. I have no doubt he can step up to be option 1 and demote Kawhi to option 2 as he should be at this point. He’ll also have no problem letting Kawhi take over in the playoffs as he should. The only thing I’m worried about is his post-season fatigue he gets from working so hard in the regular season.

By: Oodypkt

Oodypkt — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 02:56:41 +0000

Stumble upon this article, way back in 2020. RIP Tjarks.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/11/21/21588634/the-two-sides-to-jerami-grants-stunning-deal

4 years are quite a long time. That Bubble PO is the last time Grant plays in the post-season. Not sure if it’s because of his injuries or his underwhelming teams record or both

If POR is ok to trade him and his big contract out and get something back in return. They can flip Norm to any contending teams needed scoring off the bench, or to combine expiring contract of PJ and salary filler in any deal. This is more like trade deadline in the mid-season.

It will also open up a chance for younger guys (Brown, Miller, Cam) if we attach another vet guards in the deal.
…

If we can get Batum to be swiss army knife forward who can guard (basically) anyone and play against any (presumably) position. We might get Grant to be Shooting PF who can defend other teams’ best forward and stretch the floor for our star duo to operate.

Sounds a bit dreamy but you never know.

By: Morty CA

Morty CA — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:04:07 +0000

Kawhi’s knee is concerning….trade him asap for whatever we can get. As much as I like kawhi, he’s never going to be healthy(even during load management) and isn’t getting any younger.

By: Robert Flom

Robert Flom — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 23:31:11 +0000

I agree, but Dunn is going to be in the rotation. My preference would be to flip Norm and give Bones the bench scorer role to sink or swim but the Clippers won’t do that

By: mlslaw1

mlslaw1 — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 18:29:14 +0000

The best scenario for James AND the team will be to have a highly skilled back up to spell him and not have a huge drop off. And who mite that be? I’m hoping Bones gets that shot. He’s young, can shoot, handle, pass and gets downhill and I’ll bet he continuously works on his game.