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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 10, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) looks to pass as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-11-11T043201Z_809616483_MT1USATODAY21868305_RTRMADP_3_NBA-LOS-ANGELES-CLIPPERS-AT-DALLAS-MAVERICKS.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 10, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) looks to pass as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
It seems like James Harden is not going to be off the spotlight that easy. Since his trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, the team has yet to win a game. The most recent matchup was with the Memphis Grizzlies, where they lost to the Grizzlies with 101-105. The arrival of Harden to join their already elite-level star power was supposed to make LA a dangerously formidable team.
But with the way things are taking shape, what the management believed The Beard would bring to the team is yet to be revealed. Interestingly, the loudest podcast out there, Gil’s Arenas has a different take on the situation.
The James Harden trade hasn’t produced the desired results
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According to the 3x NBA All-Star, Gilbert Arenas, the reason the Clippers aren’t getting the desired results is because of a trade this late into the season. Agent Zero compares the coaching dynamics to a talented chef. He says, “If the chef is preparing a meal to be good, and it ain’t, his job’s in jeopardy. You can have a great talented a** team, and you’re a horrible coach.”
Granted, Ty Lue might have had it hard. When Harden entered the Clippers’ team, they were hoping to fill the huge gap left there by Chris Paul. They already had talented wings in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Add to it the NBA’s All-Time career triple-double leader, Russell Westbrook III.
Adding the 10x NBA All-Star, Harden, to the roster should have rendered the Clippers practically untouchable. With Coach Lue trying out different rotations and gameplays that can bring out the best in his players, none has connected with The Beard so far.
A simple example would be how Lue, after the loss to the Mavs, pointed out that smaller lineups do not favour James Harden. And again, yesterday, he mentioned that Harden will have to step up and be “selfish” on the court.
Gil compares a “C” grade Frank Vogel to Ty Lue
Going back to what makes one a good coach, Gilbert seems to have a clear answer. According to him, it boils down to “the subs, preparations, rotations, and how dedicated one is“. If a coach is willing to give it all, then his record does not matter.
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To clarify the matter, he brings former Lakers coach, Frank Vogel, into the mix. As far as Arenas is concerned, Vogel was given a winning lineup. And to have lost two games to the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals warrants a “C” or a “C+” at the most.
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Though the Lakers won their 17th title then, it still goes a long way to show how a highly talented team can suffer with a not-so-equally good coach. “The fact that you lost 2 to this team, that’s a C. You was guaranteed the championship with that lineup,” he added.
Well, Lue finds himself in somewhat of a similar position, as per Gil. Hopefully, he can find a solution that satisfies everyone. Until then, how long do you think the Clippers can last if this losing streak continues?