Kofi Inkoom
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing issues with their starting lineup, as it’s becoming evident that Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook don’t mesh well after a four-game evaluation.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, he’s proposing for Harden to come off the bench in the Clippers’ upcoming games, beginning with the matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
.@ZachLowe_NBA thinks James Harden should be coming off the bench for the Clippers 🤔 pic.twitter.com/s4iMD4ojJp
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 13, 2023
While some voices suggest that Russell Westbrook might be a better fit for a bench role, given Harden’s superior ball-handling abilities, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has expressed his commitment to continue playing Harden until he fully adapts to the Clippers’ system.
This commitment is so strong that it has even resulted in Bones Hyland, who recently had his 2024/25 option exercised, being removed from the rotation.
The decision between the two options is undeniably challenging, but it remains an essential adjustment.
Rather than perceiving it as a straightforward benching, it should be seen as an endorsement of the “sacrifice” emphasized by several players on the team.
To attain success, the Clippers must embrace this change, as their current lineup configuration is clearly not yielding positive results.
It’s noteworthy that the Clippers have yet to secure a victory, with a 0-5 record without Harden and an 0-4 record with him on the team. Regardless of the specific course of action, prompt measures need to be taken.