During his introductory press conference with the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden talked about reuniting with Russell Westbrook.
Harden and Westbrook played together on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. Both future Hall of Famers were born and raised in California.
“I’ve been knowing Russ since Boys and Girls Club in LA,” Harden said. “So our relationship goes far beyond basketball. He was one of the reasons [for wanting to be traded to the Clippers]. He feels like he has something to prove as well. We got a goal that we’re trying to accomplish. And what better way to do it together in LA.”
Harden and Westbrook are 182-93 together. They last played together on the Rockets during the 2019-20 season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in June and finally got traded to the Clippers on Halloween. Harden, Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are all from California.
“I’m back home,” Harden said. “I just think the comfort level of me being around family and then having some really, really, really good players on this team. All four dudes from California. This is a unique story. So with all that coming together, it just made sense.”
Harden, Westbrook and George have never won a title. Meanwhile, Leonard is a two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP. The Clippers have never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history.
“Everything,” Harden said when asked what he has to prove. “That I’m very elite as an individual and then I can fit in with anybody and make a championship run work. So I think all of us are on the same page in the sense of the individual stats and all those things are past us. We all got one goal and I think everybody knows what that is.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden will make his Clippers debut against the New York Knicks on November 6. LAC is expected to start Harden, Westbrook, George, Leonard and Ivica Zubac.
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