Harden says Clippers’ resurgence can “go all the way back”
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — James Harden believes the Los Angeles Clippers have climbed out of their early-season hole for good. After Wednesday night’s 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Intuit Dome, the veteran guard told ESPN he is convinced the club “can come all the way back.”
The win was the Clippers’ fourth in a row and their 11th in the past 13 contests, the best record in the NBA during that stretch. The surge has moved Los Angeles to within a half-game of the Memphis Grizzlies for 10th place in the Western Conference and the final play-in spot — a dramatic turnaround for a team that opened 6-21 amid controversy and high expectations.
“Some teams, when it gets that bad, they just let the wheels fall off,” Harden said. “The losses were frustrating, but the confidence was still there. We had to make little tweaks and get a lot better defensively. Now it’s one game at a time. We have to chip away and build momentum heading into the All-Star break.”
Kawhi Leonard has averaged 32.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals during the 11-2 run. Harden has contributed 24.8 points and 7.8 assists over the same span. Both players are expected to receive strong consideration for All-Star Weekend, scheduled for Feb. 13-15 at the Intuit Dome.
“We talk probably more than anybody,” Harden said of Leonard. “Once I see him flip the switch, it’s like, ‘OK, it’s time to go.’”
Harden recently passed Shaquille O’Neal for ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, an achievement he called “surreal” after growing up in Los Angeles watching O’Neal’s championship runs with the Lakers.
Despite the franchise’s rocky start, Harden said playing for his hometown team remains a unique opportunity. “Being at home is the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “I’m from L.A., and I’m blessed to be here.”
Source: ESPN
