"James, no one cares": 2016 NBA champion gives no salt to Clippers' 13-2 run, gives all credit to Kawhi Leonard
The LA Clippers were the laughingstock in the NBA after they acquired James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers. They lost their first five games in the Harden era and looked like they were headed for an implosion. Harden and the Clippers quickly became a punchline.
Since those consecutive losses, they have held an 18-5 record, and have surged up the standings. They went 11-2 in December, the best in the Western Conference. LA is still unbeaten in 2024 with wins over the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns.
Harden took a shot at LA's critics when he said that the doubters are hard to find with the way they have been playing. Kendrick Perkins did not mince words in his response to the former MVP (via Kicks):
“Are they the biggest threat in the West to the Denver Nuggets? Yes, they are. They are playing exceptional basketball because of Kawhi Leonard. … Kawhi Leonard has the capability of being the best player in any series.
“James Harden talking about, ‘It’s hard for the haters to be found.’ I’m sitting right here. I’m too big to hide and I’m not hating. I’m just calling the facts. … At the end of the day, James, no one cares. We want to see what you do in the postseason.”
“Big Perk” proceeded to rip Harden for repeatedly choking in the playoffs. Perkins noted how “The Beard” disappeared in the 2012 NBA Finals. The two were OKC Thunder teammates when they lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
The ESPN analyst also lambasted James Harden for yet another disappearing act versus the Boston Celtics in the playoffs last season. Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers had a 3-2 edge against the Celtics but couldn’t close out their nemesis.
“The Beard” didn’t score a single point in the fourth quarters of Games 5-7. His only contributions during that span were six assists. Kendrick Perkins wouldn’t let him get away with that. Harden’s track record in big playoff games is horrible. He would have to play much better in the playoffs to change some of that narrative.
Kawhi Leonard’s health and not James Harden’s presence is probably the key to the LA Clippers’ postseason success
During the LA Clippers 18-5 run since losing six straight games, two of their losses were without Kawhi Leonard. James Harden is the blockbuster signing this season but LA’s postseason success still likely hinges on the oft-injured Leonard.
During the Clippers’ six-game losing slide, five of which came with Harden, Leonard had trouble adjusting to the marquee signing. Paul George also had a roller coaster run while adapting to Harden’s presence. Russell Westbrook eventually asked to come off the bench to give the team more balance.
Once “The Claw” found his rhythm around Harden, the Clippers took off. The rest of the players on their roster also found their comfort with Leonard hitting his strides again together with “The Beard.”
As good as the LA Clippers have been with Harden, the key to their success still likely rests in Kawhi Leonard’s health.