James Harden’s transition to the Los Angeles Clippers has been accompanied by a learning curve, and after five games with the team, he’s identified a key adjustment for himself. Despite the Clippers facing early-season challenges and not securing a win with Harden in the lineup, the team is showing signs of improvement.
“Shoot the catch-and-shoots. Hahaha. I haven’t really had catch and shoots forreal since like OKC days, so the more opportunities I get… I think a pretty good percentage as well.”
Reporter: “What have you learned in these last 5 games?”
James Harden: “Shoot the catch-and-shoots. Hahaha. I haven't really had catch and shoots forreal since like OKC days, so the more opportunities I get — I think a pretty good percentage as well.” pic.twitter.com/McYBgBERpx
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 15, 2023
Harden acknowledged that he needs to be more willing to take catch-and-shoot opportunities, a facet of his game he hasn’t emphasized since his earlier days with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Throughout his career, Harden has been accustomed to taking more pull-up threes, given his role as the primary shot-creator for his teams. However, with the Clippers, where stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George share offensive initiation responsibilities, Harden aims to adapt and embrace a more supportive role, including shooting off the catch. Harden’s success rate of over 40% percent on catch-and-shoot threes since the start of last season positions him as a valuable asset in this adjusted role for the Clippers as they work through their early-season challenges.
James Harden’s Stats As A Clipper
In his first five games with the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden has had a mixed performance, showcasing both moments of brilliance and areas for improvement. Harden’s stat line in these games reflects a player in transition, adjusting to a new team dynamic and offensive system.
1st game vs New York Knicks: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 6-9 FG, 2-4 3PT FG
2nd game vs Brooklyn Nets: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4-9 FG, 2-5 3PT FG
3rd game vs Dallas Mavericks: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT FG
4th game vs Memphis Grizzlies: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4-12 FG 1-7 3PT FG
5th game vs Denver Nuggets: 21 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-15 FG, 3-8 3PT FG
James Harden’s catch-and-shoot performance with the Los Angeles Clippers reveals a promising dimension to his game. In each game, he attempts an average of 2.4 catch-and-shoot shots, showcasing his willingness to adapt to a different offensive role. Impressively, he converts 1.0 of these attempts per game, resulting in a solid catch-and-shoot percentage of 41.7%.
This efficiency highlights Harden’s capability to contribute effectively in off-ball situations, a crucial element as he integrates into the Clippers’ star-studded lineup. The Clippers, as a team, are grappling with major issues associated with their new roster composition. Integrating a ball-dominant superstar like Harden alongside established creators like Paul George and Russell Westbrook, as well as a scoring force in Kawhi Leonard, presents a challenge. This situation necessitates finding a balance between individual playmaking and cohesive team dynamics.
To address these challenges, the Clippers may need to explore roster changes or tactical adjustments. Harden’s ability to adapt to a more supportive role, including increased catch-and-shoot opportunities, could be a key factor in unlocking the team’s potential. The Clippers’ success in the remainder of the season will likely hinge on their ability to address these early-season issues and find a rhythm that maximizes the strengths of their star-studded lineup.
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