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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The world saw James Harden play for the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time yesterday. It was a pretty underwhelming outing for Harden and the Clippers, as they lost to the Knicks. The Knicks suffocated the Clippers’ offense, as they restricted the Clippers to just 97 points. It’s safe to say that Harden’s Clippers debut didn’t go according to plan. Harden, along with his teammates, have to work in training to solve their underlying chemistry issues.

A former NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks also wasn’t impressed by Harden’s debut. He suggested that the Clippers still need to sort out a lot of things.

Jeff Teague critical of the Clippers

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The James Harden era in Los Angeles is off to a shaky start, after the Clippers lost to the Knicks 111-97. They sit at the 7th spot in the Western Conference, having won three games and losing another three. However, former NBA champion Jeff Teague saw through the hype and predicted chemistry issues hours before the tip-off. He said, “I don’t think that’s going to do nothing for them. How y’all going to play all four of them? It’s going to be tough to get chemistry when it’s four players that are dominant players, that usually have the ball.”

The Clippers will look to bounce back, as they play the Brooklyn Nets next on 8th November. Their home form is imperious, as they have won all three of their games. But their away performances have been dismal, losing in all three of their away trips. The Clippers, under the leadership of their head coach Ty Lue, must address their chemistry concerns promptly because the Western Conference has become highly competitive. The Clippers boast a roster filled with several superstars, which can lead to clashes of egos. Ty Lue’s responsibility will be to navigate and balance these egos while building a cohesive unit capable of competing for the NBA title.

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Stacked Western Conference

The race for the 2023-24 NBA title could become one of the most competitive in years. The high level of competition within the Western Conference showcases the abundance of talented teams. Teams like the Warriors, Clippers, Suns and last season’s champion Nuggets are all title contenders.

Read More: “There Are a Lot of James Harden Haters”: Rival NBA Executive Sides With Ex-MVP

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However, teams like the Mavericks and the Lakers could be the dark horses for the title. Not to be overlooked are teams like OKC, Pelicans, Timberwolves, and the Kings, all of which have skilled players who could influence the title race. As the 2023-24 NBA season unfolds, the cream will rise to the top, but there is still a wide range of teams with a chance to make their mark.

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