James Harden’s move to the Los Angeles Clippers hasn’t gone according to plan. The Clippers occupy the 9th spot in the Western Conference standings, with 9 wins and 10 losses. This is not where the Clippers’ expensively assembled squad belongs, but chemistry issues have compounded their misery. One of the key reasons behind the Clippers’ underperformance has been Harden’s poor form and incompatible fit with the team.

However, despite opting into his contract with the 76ers, Harden forced his way out of Philadelphia. This move was highly criticized by the media, but Harden recently gave his reasoning behind the decision.

Why did Harden opt-in to his contract with the 76ers?

The Philadelphia 76ers offseason preparations got off to a shaky start because of James Harden. Harden berated GM Daryl Morey after Morey refused to give him an improved contract. This created friction between Harden and the Sixers hierarchy, which ultimately led to Harden getting traded to the Clippers. However, Harden opting into his contract with the Sixers puzzled many fans, but in a recent interview, the ‘Beard’ gave his reasoning behind the move.

In an interview with the Athletics’ Sam Amick, Harden described his thought process while opting into the contract. He said, “The teams that are growing, or young, we’re gonna have the money, but that doesn’t make sense. And then the competitive teams don’t have the money. So all in all, it would have probably ended up with me looking Philly in the face again. So it was strategic, and people can talk and say (things), but they have no idea (without being) in this situation.”

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While Harden got the move he desired, his addition to the Clippers’ roster hasn’t had the desired effect. Despite being perceived as a team capable of contending for the championship, the Clippers currently find themselves in a play-in position. With a major part of the season still to be played, can the Clippers bounce back?

Can the Clippers find their footing?

On paper, the Los Angeles Clippers possess one of the most formidable starting five in the league. However, championships aren’t won on paper. Despite possessing the likes of Kawhi, Paul George, Harden, and Westbrook, the Clippers have suffered from inconsistency.

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Their inconsistency stems from a lack of team chemistry. Despite their disappointing start to the season, there is a glimmer of hope for the Clippers’ fanbase. As time progresses, there’s a possibility that they could enhance their team’s chemistry. Given their substantial offensive capabilities, the Clippers have the potential to outclass any opponent on a given day. However, the question of whether the Clippers can find a system that works for them still persists.

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