James Harden made it clear he has no interest in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers, telling ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that playing in front of friends and family in his hometown is “the opportunity of a lifetime.” Earlier this season, several clubs reportedly monitored the possibility that the veteran guard might be traded when the Clippers stumbled out to a 6-21 record. Since then, Los Angeles has gone 11-2, pulling even with Memphis at 17-23, though the Grizzlies own the tiebreaker for the West’s final play-in berth.
“The confidence never left,” Harden said. “We were frustrated by the losses, but we always believed. Small adjustments and stronger defense turned it around. Now we just have to keep chipping away heading into the All-Star break.”
Leonard Powers Surge, Will Miss Toronto Return
Kawhi Leonard has been central to the turnaround, averaging 32.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 50.7 percent overall, 44.0 percent from three and 91.6 percent at the line during the 13-game upswing. Head coach Tyronn Lue praised Leonard’s late-game dominance, saying the forward has “taken those games over” in recent weeks.
Leonard, however, will sit out Friday’s matchup in Toronto with a right ankle sprain, marking his first absence since Nov. 22. Center Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) and forward John Collins (right groin soreness) are listed as questionable after missing Wednesday’s win in Washington.
Ballmer Seeks Dismissal of Fraud Suit
Lawyers representing team owner Steve Ballmer asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges Ballmer used former green-banking firm Aspiration to funnel money to Leonard. The filing, first reported by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, characterizes the accusations as “sensational and patently false.”
Paul Still Waiting on Next Stop
The Clippers announced in early December that they would move on from Chris Paul, but the guard remains on the roster while the front office explores trade scenarios to avoid waiving his guaranteed contract. Appearing on the YouTube show “Good Sports with Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompson,” Paul said he continues to train daily and hopes to join a contender for the season’s second half. “I just love this game so much that I don’t want it to end like that,” he noted, adding that spending time with his children has been the lone benefit of the layoff.
Source: Hoops Rumors
