James Harden made his Los Angeles Clippers debut on November 6 against the New York Knicks. The 10-time All-Star finished with 17 points and six assists in 31 minutes while shooting 6-of-9 from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line.
Despite Harden playing well, though, the Clippers lost to the Knicks by a final score of 111-97.
“I feel kind of weird out there,” Harden said. “But just not really having a preseason game or an opportunity to participate in the full training camp or none of that. It was just [being] out there and just basically winging it. Try to go off my basketball instincts and what I’ve been doing for the last few years or whatnot. I just went out there and playing and thinking the game and trying to make the game easier for everybody else.”
Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook combined for 62 points. All four All-Stars finished the game with a negative plus-minus.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“I know I got to watch the film and see, just on both ends of the ball,” Harden said. “I think defensively, being in the correct spot. Communicating a little bit more. I remember giving up a corner 3, a strongside corner 3, that shouldn’t happen. So defensively, I got to be better. And then offensively, just trying to find rhythm, whether it’s catch-and-shoot or pick-and-roll opportunities. Learning the plays and trying to figure everything out as a whole.”
The Clippers are back in action on November 8 against one of Harden’s old teams, the Brooklyn Nets. It will be fascinating to see how Harden, Leonard, George and Westbrook play in that contest.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“I mean, the game happened so fast,” Harden said. “We got so many great players that can do a variety of things. So, for me, it’s just being patient, you know. Being patient and letting things come to me and being ready to shoot when I’m off the ball. It’s Game 1, you know.”
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