James Harden joined the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, far later than he wished however nonetheless excited for the prospect to win an NBA title together with his lengthy-struggling hometown membership.
The 34-yr-previous famous person guard, who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this week, mentioned he plans to make his Clippers debut on Monday after they play at New York.
“I’m happy I’m here,” Harden mentioned. “I’m excited to show how good individually and how good this team can be and is going to be.”
Harden, who mentioned his position with the Sixers was “like being on a leash,” referred to as himself a “creator” on the courtroom who was prepared to vary and adapt his sport to make the Clippers into champions.
“I’m not a system player,” Harden declared. “I am a system.”
Harden, a ten-time All-Star, has been many issues as he prepares to begin his fifteenth NBA marketing campaign. He gained the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player award. He was a 3-time scoring champion from 2018-2020 and led the NBA in assists in 2017 and final yr.
But he has by no means gained an NBA title. Neither have two of his new star teammates, pal-since-youth Russell Westbrook and Paul George, though Kawhi Leonard has gained crowns with San Antonio and Toronto.
“I think all of us are on the same page,” Harden mentioned. “All those individual stats are past us. Now we’ve all got one goal and I think everybody knows what that is.
“For me, it’s going out here and finding the best way that I can contribute to this team.
“I’m very elite as an individual and I can fit in with anybody and make a championship run work.”
The Clippers, a former NBA laughingstock, have by no means reached a convention ultimate for the reason that membership was based in Buffalo within the 1970-71 marketing campaign.
But they’ve made the playoffs in 10 of the previous 12 seasons they usually have revived Harden’s spirits after robust years with Brooklyn and the 76ers.
“Want to make my 15th year something special,” Harden mentioned. “Having an opportunity to be back here, where my entire family is, is even more special. I’m definitely excited.”
He recalled trying as much as Clippers gamers as a youth with Westbrook.
“We’ve got a goal we’re trying to accomplish,” Harden mentioned. “What better way to do it than together and in LA?”
James Harden speaking Russell Westbrook: “He was absolutely one of the reasons I wanted to come to the Clippers, and we both have a goal to win a championship.. What better way to do it than in LA?”Do you consider they’ll do it? pic.twitter.com/FINLDAwT19
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) November 2, 2023
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Harden is able to take no matter position is required alongside a squad formidable as defenders and potent as scorers.
“I can score the basketball but I’m a very good passer as well. I can facilitate,” Harden mentioned. “Whatever the team and coaching staff needs me to do, I’ve been preparing.
“As long as we win the game and everybody is feeling confident and good about themselves, that’s all that really matters.”
Harden, who gained 2012 London Olympic gold, reached the NBA Finals with Oklahoma City in 2012 however misplaced to LeBron James-led Miami and was then traded to Houston, the place he turned a famous person with the Rockets.
He was traded to Brooklyn in January 2021 and expectations had been excessive with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as teammates, however the mixture by no means labored and after a “funky situation” he was traded to the 76ers in February 2022, saying he thought he would retire with the Sixers.
“The front office had other plans,” Harden mentioned. “They didn’t want me. It was that simple.”
Harden’s unhappiness led to an off-season of complaints and harsh criticism about 76ers basketball operations boss Daryl Morey however ultimately he received the commerce he sought.
Now he mentioned he’s wiser about issues which might be out of his management, like accidents and entrance workplace points, however he likes his possibilities for a title in a Clippers uniform.
“If you’re just talking about strictly basketball, then we definitely have an opportunity,” he mentioned.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
