James Harden couldn’t clasp his bracelet, which was at least two inches broad and covered with diamonds, as he walked out of the stadium after a recent LA Clippers game. A security guy strolling along him attempted to assist him many times, but the clasp refused to comply.
In some ways, it may have been his greatest issue going into the new year.
James Harden Drives the Clippers Forward: An Extraordinary Reversal in Recent Performance
The Clippers, to whom Harden was dealt in October after an offseason of turmoil that included a standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers, have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams in recent weeks. Harden, 34, is now averaging 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and eight assists for the Clippers, who have won 12 of their last 14 games to climb to fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 20-12 after initially struggling to find his fit and losing his first five games with the team.
He feels all of the turmoil is behind him.
“Oh, honestly, all of that is done,” Harden told FOX Sports. “I’m not going to talk about it.” It’s either a villain part or nothing at all. That is all done and dusted. “I’m over it.”
Harden has made it obvious that fans and commentators who are quick to criticize him don’t know the whole narrative of what transpired in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Houston. However, several in the sports media decided they had seen enough to make their own verdict.
One of them, Brian Dameris, who worked in the Dallas Mavericks front office before becoming a Mavericks commentator on Bally Sports Southwest, had a two-minute video go viral during the Mavericks’ game against the Clippers in November. He described how teams moved mountains to accommodate Harden, but Harden always pointed the finger and absolved himself of culpability when things went wrong.
A Response of Self-Reflection and Winning Streak to Dameris’ Roommate Analogy from James Harden
“Listen, James, have you ever had those friends who had bad roommates?” Dameris inquires in the video. “They moaned about their awful housemates again and over. ‘This man is awful.’ They never considered themselves to be self-aware enough to see that they are the terrible roommate. They are the issue. ‘Hey, James, you’re the issue.'”
James Harden, of course, was aware of the remarks. Perhaps by coincidence, he helped the Clippers embark on a nine-game winning run a week after the trade was announced.
Did Harden use such phrases to motivate himself?
“No,” Harden scoffed to FOX Sports. “Uh-uh.”
Harden, on the other hand, has said openly this season that he disagrees with the notion that he is selfish, tough, and erratic for demanding three trades on his way to playing for four clubs in four years.
When he was accused of being selfish, he cited accepting a $26 million salary cut to help the 76ers create a contender around reigning MVP Joel Embiid. When he was labeled tough, he said that he was prepared to switch roles and sacrifice for each squad. Mercurial? During his first press conference after the Clippers trade, he said that he intended to retire with the 76ers, but “they didn’t want me.”
Harden is now attempting to make progress.
Among his many accomplishments, he is motivated by the metaphorical blank line. Winning a title in his birthplace would be extremely significant for the Compton native, making his long trip worthwhile.
“Very important,” James Harden said to FOX Sports when asked what a championship ring would mean to his career. “That’s how it’s been. I’m constantly looking for methods to give myself a chance to win. I understand how tough that is. After the year, just one team remains. So that’s what I’ll keep trying to accomplish.”
When Harden asked for a trade from the 76ers, he said unequivocally that he wanted to play for the Clippers. The team’s superstars, including Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook, greeted the offensive magician with welcoming arms.
Who wears number 1 Clippers?
Ans: James Harden #1
“The reason he’s here is because we wanted him here,” said George, who was initially impressed by Harden when he placed the ball between his legs and dunked at a Skills Academy in Los Angeles when they were kids.
However, with Harden on the floor, the Clippers originally seemed to be a disjointed ensemble of All-Stars rather than a unified team. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said that Harden wasn’t playing his best at first.
“He was taking six, seven shots a game,” he added. “But I think the rotation change [Westbrook moving to the bench] has allowed him to be more aggressive, getting him out early and back with the second unit.” We’re a dangerous team when he’s attacking the basket, hitting those step-back 3s, and running a bunch of pick-and-rolls. So the most important thing was to make him feel more at ease. He’s been doing an excellent job ever since.”
Since joining the Clippers, Harden has preached sacrifice.
The former league MVP does not need to match his career best of 36.1 points set with Houston in 2018-19. Or his career-best of 11.2 assists in 2016-17 with the squad.
But he must be himself.
He must set up open shots for his teammates. Out of the pick-and-roll, be a menace. And be a consistent presence on the floor, particularly given Leonard and George’s history of ailments.
What transpired between Harden’s faltering start with the Clippers and today is easy to explain.
“Just more games being played with the team,” Harden told FOX Sports. “More games.”
Harden seems to be ready to do whatever is required. He is aware that his championship window is closing. He has only been in the NBA Finals once when his Oklahoma City Thunder were defeated by LeBron James’ Miami Heat in 2012.
He stopped when asked whether he felt this squad would provide him the greatest chance of winning a championship.
“I don’t know yet,” Harden said to FOX Sports. “It’s too soon. We have around 50 games remaining.”
He refuses to look forward, just as he refuses to look behind him.
Harden’s main concern at the time was the task in front of him: clasping his resistant bracelet. He nodded and grinned when he finally got it locked.
Everything appears to be going his way again these days.
Read our previous publication here ==>> GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD’S HUSBAND’S NAME? RYAN ANDERSON: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Discover more from The Mass Trust
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.