There are volumes which may be written about what’s unsuitable with the Los Angeles Clippers superteam. In any case the ruckus James Harden began this summer season, in case you concept he’d arrive in tip-top form, able to make one final push at a name with the Clippers, then you definately’re as gullible as each and every different staff that has traded for him this decade. Harden nonetheless hasn’t proven why he concept he used to be so deserving of the huge extension he used to be not easy from Daryl Morey.
Because the Clippers’ lead guard, his utilization charge has hit occupation lows so far in Clipperland, and he’s averaging a meager 4.5 assists according to sport in a discounted function. The footwork isn’t as fast because it was once, however the jerkiness continues to be there. However he’s nonetheless a black hollow who bathrooms down the offense. Then again, a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night time is a reminder of ways untrustworthy Harden may also be at the ground.
Trailing the 2-8 Memphis Grizzlies, 101-98, Kawhi Leonard moved quickly the ball upcourt in transition with 40 seconds closing, drove the lane, and lobbed a move to Harden in the proper brief nook. The house crowd held its breath all over Harden’s liberate and audibly exhaled in sadness when Harden air-balled the shot. Par for the direction.
In crunch time, the ball will get heavier, arms get sweatier and a few guys get mentally spaghettified. Harden with the ball in his palms in crunch time has at all times portended grim endings. There are worse gamers than Harden in the ones heart-palpitating moments, however few heliocentric superstars encourage as a lot sadness as Harden has through the years. Within the ultimate 5 mins of video games the place the ranking is inside of 5 issues or much less, which 2d Spectrum considers grasp time, Harden is a vibe killer. If he can’t contort his solution to the road, he musters half-hearted heaves that crack the rim and typically go away you in need of. This isn’t a story that crept up on account of his deficient recognition. The numbers again it up. Even all over his MVP season, Harden used to be a large number in the ones a very powerful moments that make a decision shut contests.
Snatch performances from Russell Westbrook are the forgotten consider why he used to be awarded the MVP over Harden of their intently contested 2017 race. In grasp time, Harden logged the second-worst box objective share within the league of all certified scorers who’d tried a minimum of 50 box objectives, taking pictures 35.5 % from the sector on 93 makes an attempt and 27.3 % from distance. Along with averaging the primary triple-double in 5 many years, Westbrook led the league in grasp scoring, tired an collection of game-winning baskets, shot 44.6 % from the sector, and tired 33 % of his makes an attempt at the back of the arc.
Since that 2017 marketing campaign, Harden hasn’t achieved a lot to counter his transformation into Mr. Self Take a look at in shut contests. The final time Philly noticed him in a power scenario, he cranked out simply 9 issues in a Recreation 7 towards the Boston Celtics. Right here’s how he stacks as much as lots of his All-NBA friends within the common season since 2017 in step with Deadspin’s Stats & Information Dept. (aka Microsoft Excel and 2d Spectrum).
FG% in grasp time (since 2017)
James Harden – .372 FG%
Damian Lillard- .391
Paul George-.423
Steph Curry- .430
Russell Westbrook – .430
Kawhi Leonard- .431
Kyrie Irving- .436
3-point FG% in grasp time (since 2017)
Leonard- .258
Westbrook- .260
Harden- .288
Lillard- .303
George- .307
Irving- .311
Curry- .331
No longer unusually, Steph Curry is essentially the most correct flamethrower from all distances even in grasp time. Kawhi Leonard is beautiful dangerous from deep, however he makes up for it via being an automated bucket on 2-point box objectives. He’s come far from lacking a loose throw in Recreation 6 that may have rendered Ray Allen’s series-extending 3-pointer moot.
And a minimum of Kyrie Irving is well worth the headache when he’s at the ground in pivotal moments. We shouldn’t be shocked after he buried some of the iconic pictures in Finals historical past to finish a 0-3 comeback towards the 73-win Warriors. He’s arguably the most productive ice-in-his-veins scorer within the league. Then again, when the going will get tricky, Harden can’t get going. His .372 grasp time box objective share since 2017 is the worst amongst his friends via a substantial margin.
Tyronn Lue has a bevy of choices past his latest acquisition. Harden won’t ever flip down a shot, however he shouldn’t be their first, moment or 3rd choice. Don’t imagine the noise about Paul George. He’s all effort and delivers forged effects when it’s time for superstars to step up. Unusually, Westbrook is even a awesome scorer to Harden below power.
Harden is the final one that will have to have the rock in his palms with the sport at the line. It’s nonetheless early, however the Clippers are getting first-hand enjoy on why The Beard used to be to be had at the industry block for flea marketplace costs. He doesn’t simply run from name chases, he has a tendency to shrink within the moments that outline the legends.
