October 30th – November 5th (1W-1L)
Game 1: [Orlando Magic] – [W 118-102]
Key Statistics:
After shooting 33.3% from the floor in the first half, the Clippers were 17 of 23 in the third quarter.
Held all Magic players under 15 points.
DRtg – 98.1
Key Takeaways:
Great defensive game.
Another game where winning the rebound and assists battle led to a win.
Kawhi had his first bad shooting game, but Paul George was spectacular.
Bones, Norm another great game for the “others”, especially short-handed after the trade. Going to be very interesting to see their role when Harden plays and when Mann is healthy.
While Harden was sitting on the sidelines, this game showcased exactly how important and infectious Russell Westbrook’s energy is.
Game 2: [@Los Angeles Lakers] – [L 125-130]
Key Statistics:
53% FGM were unassisted (too much iso)
Kawhi Leonard 41:29 game time in the second half of a back-to-back… Love to see it
PG +22, got into foul trouble, but another stellar performance
17/27 from FT is awful, Lakers shot 36 FT which is also awful
Only 6 assists in the second half
Key Takeaways:
Love the effort on the short-handed second half of a back-to-back. Clearly got tired at the end.
Way too much iso in the second half. First half the team was flowing, getting easy baskets, then in the second half the team took difficult shots.
Kawhi/PG/Russ only players to make a 3.
Kawhi started hot, got cold, and ended well even when he looked gassed.
Lakers went super big, Clippers went super small (Kawhi at the 5) which didn’t work defensively or for rebounding, and offensively it served no purpose because the Clippers were isoing every play.
Can’t look too much into this game, second half of back-to-back post trading for the 2nd most ball-dominant guard last year in the NBA (1st was Luka) plus the Lakers really needed this win after losing to the Clippers the previous 11 times they played.
Big Picture:
Weird week, weird schedule, and everything changes starting now.
The Clippers so far have the 2nd most isolation frequency yet they only shoot 46%, which is middle of the road, but the Clippers have been shooting incredibly to start the year, and isolation is just simply not when the team thrives. In the half court, isolation is statistically the team’s worst option. 58.6 percentile in isolation plays according to nba.com. Through 2 weeks, the Clippers are the worst transition team in the NBA with a Points Per Possession(ppp) of 0.87 in transition plays. On the other hand, the Clippers are the best P&R ball handler team with a 1.19ppp. The Clippers are the 3rd best team on spot ups 1.12ppp. Yet the frequency of these play types is in the bottom half of the league. Have to wait until next week to see how Harden affects all this.
What to Expect Next Week:
4 Games, Monday @ Knicks, Wednesday @ Nets, Friday @ Mavericks, Sunday vs Grizzlies
MSG, Harden’s debut, Julius Randle has been struggling… should be a fun chemistry building game as long as they don’t let Brunson get hot. The Nets are also short-handed and they struggle in the half court; the Clippers match up well with their best players, expect Kawhi/Paul to slow down Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges. The Mavericks are a scary team that has been playing very well; one of the teams having James Harden playing big minutes against is risky, expect Luka to seek and destroy that matchup. Lastly, the Clippers have another must-win game against the struggling Grizzlies. A pretty good week to have Harden debut, 3/4 games should be wins to start rebuilding momentum, but only time will tell.
Harden Trade Reactions After A Week
Everything changes after this week for the Clippers. Following a back-to-back against the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, in which their recent acquisition James Harden did not play, Harden is expected to start when the Clippers face the New York Knicks on Monday. While the addition of Harden amplifies their championship aspirations, there are mixed feelings about his impact. The concern lies in the Clippers’ offensive style, which has often emphasized isolation plays, an overreliance on star players to create their own shots, and a tendency to go small.
Harden’s arrival raises questions about how the team’s playstyle will adapt. While Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, like Harden, are exceptional isolation players, there’s a need to maintain a balance in the offensive approach. The Clippers must strive for fluid ball movement, attacking the rim, and involving all team members, as this tends to yield higher-percentage shots and a less stagnant offense which was the case in the second half of the game vs the Lakers last week.
The hope is that Harden can embrace a more team-oriented style and become the championship-level playmaker the team needs. The success of this acquisition depends on how well the Clippers can play as a cohesive unit. It’s crucial to avoid excessive isolation plays, which can be predictable and bail out opposing defenses.
In his few games played with the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, James Harden showcased his versatility as a playmaker and scorer. His ability to adapt and become a crucial piece in a star-studded trio highlighted his championship-level potential. However, this was for about 20 games, and it’s important to note that Durant and Kyrie possess unique skills that differ from the Clippers’ stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Durant’s post scoring is unmatchable and he has an imposing presence even without the ball that can alter defensive schemes, while Kyrie’s isolation prowess, finishing, difficult shotmaking, and ability to get any shot he wants was complimented when not the primary scorer.
For the Clippers, Russell Westbrook played a multifaceted role. There are talks that it will be Russ who moves to the bench with the addition of Harden. He not only excelled as a slasher but also as a playmaker; Russ sets the pace and is the heart and soul of the team. The question arises as to how Harden’s arrival might affect Westbrook’s role. While Harden’s off-ball skills and scoring ability mesh well with Westbrook’s slashing style, especially during their time together in Houston, there’s also the concern that Harden could limit Westbrook’s playmaking impact. An ideal scenario would involve Harden contributing off the bench, providing a dynamic scoring option and a boost in swagger. However, the reality will most definitely differ. As the Clippers navigate this significant change, they must find a way to strike a balance and make the most of their star-studded roster.
The team’s original starting lineup showed promise, and the idea of Mann joining them would have given balance, high pace, and defensive versatility which are assets that should be maintained. The other part of the trade, adding a promising small-ball center in PJ Tucker gives Ty Lue a new go-to small-ball lineup. Continuity is crucial, so the next month will reveal how Ty Lue and the Clippers adapt to the significant changes.
Despite the critiques, there’s admiration for the team’s bold move to go all-in. The Clippers took a considerable risk by trading three first-round picks for Harden, a move made even riskier by his one-year contract and the team’s lack of long-term signings.
Especially in the playoffs, Harden has struggled; he is arguably the worst playoff performing star of this era. With Denver looking dominant in the first two weeks, Golden State Warriors posing a huge threat, and Harden’s defensive capabilities will be tested against opponents, such as the Suns and the Lakers in which KD/Booker/Lebron can and will target him every play, it’s unclear if this trade was the final piece of the championship puzzle. The Clippers must adjust quickly to make this midseason trade work. Unfortunately, this significant change comes at a time when the team was looking strong just two weeks into the season. In conclusion, the Clippers are on the cusp of a transformative period, and the impact of the Harden trade remains to be seen.
Feel free to join the discussion, and share your questions, thoughts, and predictions on the team this week, or the upcoming games for next week in the comments below. Your insights and perspectives contribute to the conversation!
West Coast Hoops 