Clippers Struggle to Adapt to James Harden’s Offensive Approach, Deviating from Previous Success
James Harden’s arrival at the Los Angeles Clippers came with a bold declaration: “I’m not a system player, I am a system.” While the exact meaning behind his statement remained ambiguous, it suggested a desire for a more prominent role in the shooting, akin to his peak with the Houston Rockets. Harden’s teams are typically associated with specific traits such as limited ball movement, stagnant player motion, and a reliance on heavy dribbling.
In the early stages of his tenure with the Clippers, Harden is averaging just nine field goal attempts per game, a notable drop from his peak in Houston. Despite Coach Ty Lue encouraging Harden to be “more selfish,” the Clippers have adopted elements of the “Harden system” without fully relinquishing control to him.
Despite being the fourth-highest shot-taker on the team, trailing Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers have embraced a slow, isolation-heavy style reminiscent of Harden’s teams. Coach Lue’s call for Harden to be “more selfish” aligns with the team’s shift toward Harden’s playing style.
Before acquiring Harden, the Clippers operated within the norms of a typical NBA team, achieving offensive success with a balanced approach. Scoring 117.4 points per 100 possessions, they ranked fourth in the league. However, since Harden’s debut, their offensive efficiency has plummeted to 106.9, now ranking last in the league.
The Clippers’ adaptation to Harden’s style has not yielded the anticipated benefits. Harden’s efficiency in isolation, drawing fouls, and creating clean looks for teammates has not materialized. Instead, the team has descended into a disjointed offensive approach marked by a “your turn, my turn” dynamic, hindering the development of the early-stage super team.
While it’s still early in the season, and Harden may improve with better conditioning and team synergy, the challenge lies in whether he will embrace a compromised version of team basketball. At 34 and amid concerns about his conditioning, Harden’s insistence on a slow, isolation-heavy style may present challenges for the Clippers. The team’s strategy to navigate this shift remains unclear, raising questions about their ability to avoid being dominated by Harden’s preferred playing style.
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