Originally Posted by rustywest
As a Clipper fan, I strongly dislike this - actually, I'm pretty gutted. I liked our team, there was clear chemistry brewing and they had the optimal balance of star and role play. Russ had found the perfect role setting the table and Bones was developing nicely as the backup ballhandler. Lue had finally addressed the elephant from last season, reversing DNP's betweeb RoCo and Morris Sr, with RoCo's hands and activity making an immediate impact. The team was playing D and the only real flaw (other than health) in the roster was rebounding/size in the front-court which Utah exposed badly on offensive glass. So they went ahead and made the team smaller and worse on D, leading me into the dreaded conclusion here comes more small-ball lineups.
The Clippers were flying under the radar and I liked that. - Now we have heaped unnecessary scrutiny and large amounts of pressure on the squad. When was the last time 4 stars made it work? Older stars too... it just doesn't bode well in today's fast paced NBA.
I don't enjoy Harden's style of play, and I don't think many of his teammates do either. His usage, his dribble dribble dribble step back 3. The foul-baiting. His laziness on D, giving up on plays etc. and everybody knows about the well documented off-court ethic - That sh*t's just not conducive to keeping the body in optimal shape.
Russ and Harden made it work in Houston, but that's because there weren't 2 other stars to feed.
Perhaps in the alternate universe from what mainstream media portrays, Harden has agreed to become the super 6 man reminiscent of the OKC tenure. Less minutes, more effort on D. Just like the way Russ has sacrificed and evolved unselfishly for the benefit of his team. CP3 is another example, Harden needs to follow suit. Don't be like LeBron, who at 39 selfishly refuses to sacrifice for his team because of his own personal goals (hence why the Lakers are the league biggest pretenders.) Harden taking sacrifice, if that manifests I can see a positive path forward... actually somewhat hopeful thinking about his friendship with Russ, the 4 SoCal guys together but not exactly holding my breath.
So thinking about some positives, they didn't give up Mann and the OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER on this team is off the charts. In my opinion there is more firepower here then Phoenix. Take a look - PG, Whi, Harden, Russ, Norm, Bones. The other BIG positive is something I'm not wanting at all but tremendous insurance for often injured stars. If one of the big 4 is injured, the team isn't going to skip a beat and could in all likelihood perform better in some combinations of the 3.
A couple words on the outgoing guys, RoCo is a huge loss. Completely under utilized and underrated as a extremely versatile, switchable defender with a big motor. Long arms and great hands. A perfect glue guy for that team. Replaced by an aging Tucker. I haven't watched him closely for a couple years, but I'm guessing isn't the impactful defender he once was. Anybody got the solid intel on PJ's form? Again, I'm guessing we are going to see plenty of the dreaded small ball lineups with him at 5 and the team leaking crucial offensive rebounds.
Batum is looking real old, but a very smart player and a great locker room vet. Sad to see him gone. Still very serviceable and versatile in limited minutes.
Morris seems cooked, was dead-weight at this point but by other accounts was a great troop for the Clippers in previous seasons (last year not withstanding).
KJ looked rough but wasn't really given much of a chance to run on the 2nd unit.
Filip Petrusev? Never heard of him.
Feel better getting that out, but it soured my day completely. This move is directly going to effect the way Russ and Bones had been carving out roles. Bones also has a track record of throwing toys out of the cot when things go south. Hopefully I'm wrong and these guys figure it out. It just hurts me inside because the team was developing a genuine identity and Harden's track record just doesn't fit with that? Less D more O. More stars, less roll the sleeve up dirty workers. Much increased off ball movement from everybody (stars included) - last I recall Harden is an absolute statue off ball. Its not the way I'd prefer to construct a roster but they went and did it!
I wonder if Harden will be ready for the back end of the upcoming back 2 back vs the Lakers?
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