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James Harden’s tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers began with a few farewell throws for the Philadelphia 76ers.
After a four-month standoff with the 76ers that culminated in a blockbuster deal on Tuesday, Harden wasted no time settling back in his hometown. After getting to know his new teammates before the Clippers’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Harden expressed excitement about the opportunity to play with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook during an introductory press conference on Thursday.
“As an individual, I am elite, and I can fit in with anyone and make a championship run a success,” Harden said. “We all agree: individual statistics are lost on us and we all have a goal. … They’re a really good team. The coaching team is also really, really good. I think for me it’s a nice feeling to be back home, to be with my family and to have some really, really good players on this team – when all that comes together, it just made sense.”
The 10-time All-Star said he plans to practice Friday and hopes to make his debut when the Clippers visit the New York Knicks on Monday. Before he takes the court for his fourth team in four seasons, Harden sheds some light on his messy departure from the 76ers, which led to him requesting a trade in June and harshly criticizing 76ers president Daryl Morey in August for being late for training camp appeared and … sat out the team’s first three games before the trade.
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All told, Harden played just 79 games for Philadelphia after arriving in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022.
“Leaving a lot of Brooklyn money at stake and going to Philly and, again last summer, taking $26 million less to sign and improve the team and the organization,” Harden said. “My ball control is really effective. Changing my role, trying to change the narrative and trying to make sacrifices and do whatever it takes to win at the highest level. …Take less money [and] I sacrifice my role, it’s not talked about. It just didn’t work out. When I left Brooklyn thinking I was retiring a Sixer, the front office had other plans. They didn’t want me.”
Harden, who won three straight titles with the Houston Rockets from 2018-2020, averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game for the 76ers last season. His scoring average was his lowest since 2011-12, his third season in the NBA, when he was the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixth man. Meanwhile, 76ers center Joel Embiid won NBA MVP honors, taking the scoring title with 33.1 points per game.
Philadelphia lost in the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season, leading to the firing of coach Doc Rivers. Harden said that the lack of offensive freedom in Philadelphia bothered him and that he “never really had the opportunity” to “do my best” as a scorer and facilitator.
“If you want to be honest, [it felt like] be on a leash,” Harden said. “All of that plays a role in where I am today. … I’m not a system player. I am a system.”
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Harden, the 2018 MVP, joins a star-studded Clippers roster: Leonard is a two-time Finals MVP, George is an eight-time All-Star and Westbrook was the 2017 MVP. Los Angeles has needed a more experienced backcourt spread in recent years , and Harden said his stint with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn was good preparation for his new role.
“I was in a similar situation in Brooklyn where there were two guys who could score the basketball and create mismatches,” Harden said. “I feel good about basketball, away from basketball, pick-and-roll, catching and shooting. We have a lot of really unselfish players. I can score at basketball and am also a very good passer. I can support.”
As they look to launch their first deep playoff run since 2021, the Clippers concluded they were willing to take a chance on Harden, even though he has been pushed out of three teams in the last three years and next one will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The 34-year-old guard argued that injuries had complicated his tenure in Brooklyn and that “the business side” in Philadelphia was “out of my control.” Speaking about his new team, he expressed hope that he can put the drama behind him.
“If it’s just pure basketball, then we definitely have a chance [to win]said Harden. “Hopefully none of that [you can’t control] happen and we can just focus on basketball and give ourselves the best chance.”