With his Los Angeles Clippers leading the lowly Portland Trail Blazers by 21 points as the clock ticked down in the third quarter of the game Wednesday night, James Harden made what seemed at first to be the most puzzling defensive decision of his professional career. After a drive-and-dish with fellow All-Star Kawhi Leonard allowed him to make what would have been an easy left corner triple for a guy who converts 44.4 percent of his efforts from there, Harden decided to have a little fun. He slid in to contest his own teammate’s shot.
Afterwards, Harden confirmed that he was indeed messing around, given that the Clippers were ahead and their lead seemed secure, according to The Athletic’s Law Murray. The Clippers would win, 116-103. Leonard and Harden didn’t need to play in the fourth quarter.
“I have to bring some enthusiasm to the team, you know what I mean?” Harden said after the game, according to Murray. “I think that in recent weeks [have] It’s been a fog for us. And I think every team goes through that. So I’m just thinking about myself, just trying to create a good energy, a good atmosphere for this team.”
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Through Sunday, Los Angeles had gone just 10-8 during a demoralizing 18-game stretch, with the New Orleans Pelicans suddenly hot on their heels for the fourth seed in the West and home field advantage. It appears the team is more than happy to have its two current matchups against Portland, which, at 19-50, has long been eliminated from playoff contention.
“Maybe it would have been better if he made the shot, but it gives us something to laugh about…a little bit of excitement for us,” Harden said. The Trail Blazers will face the Clippers again on Friday, and Los Angeles will no doubt be hoping for another easy victory. Harden’s shooting power declined a bit with fewer touches alongside future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard and Paul George (another future Hall of Famer, Russell Westbrook, 35, is a reserve) . In 61 games this year, he is averaging 17.3 points with shooting splits of .442/.407/.883, 8.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks .
Uncommon knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
