In a remarkable turnaround, the LA Clippers have surged up the Western Conference standings, with James Harden playing a pivotal role in their revival. After defeating the Washington Wizards 119-105 at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday night, the Clippers celebrated their fourth consecutive victory and their 11th win in the last 13 games. This impressive streak has propelled them to the best record in the NBA during that period.
Harden expressed optimism about the team’s potential to “come all the way back,” a sentiment that feels almost surreal considering the Clippers’ dismal start to the season. At one point, they stood at a lowly 6-21, plagued by controversies and failing to meet the high expectations set before the season began. “Some teams, when it gets that bad, they just let the wheels fall off,” Harden noted in an interview with ESPN. “I had interviews where people were asking me, ‘How do you find confidence?’ and I’m like, ‘The confidence is there. The losses are frustrating, but the confidence is still there.'”
Harden attributed the team’s reversal of fortunes to minor adjustments and improvements on the defensive end. He emphasized the importance of taking it “one game at a time,” just as they did during their early struggles. With the All-Star break approaching, he believes they must continue to build momentum. Currently, the Clippers find themselves only a half-game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the 10th spot in the play-in tournament.
Both Harden and fellow star Kawhi Leonard are strong candidates for participation in the NBA All-Star Weekend scheduled for February 13-15, 2024, at the Intuit Dome. Leonard has been particularly impressive, averaging 32.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 steals during the Clippers’ recent 11-2 run. Harden himself has contributed significantly, averaging 24.8 points and 7.8 assists during this stretch.
“We talk probably more than anybody,” Harden commented regarding his relationship with Leonard. “Once I see him flip the switch, it was like, ‘OK, yeah, it’s time to go.’ That’s the Kawhi we need. My job is just to facilitate, get him going, get us going. So it’s just been a complete 180.”
In addition to the team’s resurgence, Harden recently achieved a personal milestone by surpassing Shaquille O’Neal to become ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. This accomplishment holds special significance for Harden, who grew up in Los Angeles idolizing O’Neal and other Lakers legends. “That was a surreal moment just because as a kid growing up watching Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq, the Lake Show, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, all those guys. To pass somebody who I really grew up watching, it’s unreal for real,” he reflected.
Despite the early-season struggles, Harden dismissed any rumors about wanting to leave Los Angeles. “It’s hard to explain,” he stated. “Being at home, that’s like the opportunity of a lifetime for me. Just being able to hoop in front of my family, friends, people I grew up with, people that raised me. It’s a different feeling.”
As the Clippers continue their quest for playoff contention, Harden’s leadership and performance will be crucial in maintaining their current momentum and achieving their aspirations for the remainder of the season.
