When he joined the Clippers, the outlook seemed bleak for James Harden. Nonetheless, they have managed to turn the situation around. In response to this, Harden has pondered the quick inclination to place responsibility solely on him.
Throughout the NBA realm, the entire blame for the Clippers’ struggles upon his arrival was pinned on Harden alone during a difficult five-game losing streak.
However, he argues that the assignment of blame was unjustified, emphasizing that he was simply a “convenient target.”
“Yes, indeed. Who could foresee starting a 20-game winning streak? It seems implausible, doesn’t it?” conveyed Harden, as reported by Sports Illustrated. “Even established teams face challenges. You know what I mean. It’s just that people were quick to criticize me upon my arrival, making me an easy target.”
He partners with experienced All-Star counterparts such as Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook, explaining that achieving success is not an immediate process.
“For us, it’s a process of getting acquainted and understanding each other,” articulated Harden. “Learning P’s [Paul George] preferences and mine. Our collaboration with Zu [Ivica Zubac], as well as me and DT [Daniel Theis], in our execution of pick and rolls. This morning’s practice provided opportunities for us to work on it. Hence, it’s an evolving process. You know what I mean, despite our desire for instant results, we are satisfied with the journey as the eventual outcome will be superior.”
After starting with a series of five consecutive losses, LA has now emerged victorious in seven of their previous ten matches.
“Whether it’s enduring a 6-game losing streak or savoring a 6-game winning streak,” Harden remarked. “We have numerous aspects to analyze, and it’s a positive endeavor.”
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