Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers have yet to win a game since the James Harden acquisition.
Originally, Harden coming on board was billed as the big move that would put L.A. over the top in its chase for a title.
Thus far, that hasn’t been the case.
Following the Clippers’ most recent loss, Leonard stepped to the podium and offered his thoughts on Harden’s struggles.
“Obviously like I said, we have four guys on the floor that are used to having a ball, used to finding a rhythm just by feeling and touching it all game,” he said.
“You could see it, you kind of seen it with Luka [Doncic] and Kyrie [Irving] last year. They was trying to figure it out.”
The Dallas Mavericks analogy is an interesting one because, after adding Irving, that team wound up missing the playoffs altogether.
Obviously, they look much better this year than they did last, but last season the Mavs proved to be one of the league’s most disappointing teams.
That said, Leonard remains optimistic.
“But like I said, just playing more, you’ll start to figure out, okay, this guy needs this spot here or he’s, he got it going, let me buy in into another part of the game where I can make us win,” he continued.
Clippers head coach Ty Lue had his own take on Harden's struggles: he believes his new star needs to get in shape.
From there, as far as Lue sees it, things will get easier.
As for Harden, he seems to be taking the punches fairly well. He has shouldered the blame for L.A.’s slow start.
Honesty and accountability is pretty much all you could hope for at this juncture.
Will Leonard, Harden and the Clippers ultimately be able to figure things out at some point in the foreseeable future? Time will tell.
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