James Harden has Strong Confidence in Clippers Title Run

The Los Angeles Clippers are in a deadlock 2-2 tie with the Denver Nuggets, and Game 5 can’t arrive fast enough. The first-round series hasn’t disappointed, with superstars playing to their superstar status and a dose of all-around drama included. For the Clippers and their hopes of a title, James Harden believes his team has everything they need to chase it down and deliver Los Angeles—his hometown—the Clippers’ first franchise championship. The Nuggets stand in their way at the moment, but Harden believes the Clippers have the advantage offensively and defensively to get the job done.

James Harden has Strong Confidence in Clippers Title Run

James Harden believes the Los Angeles Clippers have the advantage in multiple positions to win a title

Harden came into these playoffs with a checkered postseason track record. He’s had massive games in the past with the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers, but he’s also cashed in some major stinkers. Which version of Harden would show up this year was in question, and rightfully so. However, four games down, Harden is silencing whatever doubts there were about him, and he’s a significant factor in the Clippers having secured two out of four games against Denver.

Speaking with Marc J. Spears of Andscape recently, Harden spoke about the incredible regular season he and the Clippers had and his outlook on these playoffs, including some championship talk. 

“I’m so comfortable in my world and what I supposed to be doing out there,” Harden said. “I think we got the team. We can play isolation basketball with two great ISO players. We got post game with Zu [Ivica Zubac] and Whi [Kawhi Leonard]. Defensively, we’ve been really, really good all year. So, for me, it’s about just keeping my composure, just going out there and reading the game and doing what I am supposed to be doing…

“We got a chance to be the last team standing, which is easier said than done. But we focus on ourselves,” Harden said. “We are playing well right now.”

Harden + Kawhi = a sure fire threat

What makes the Clippers playoff hopes greater than in past seasons is Kawhi Leonard’s health and availability. The two-time champion missed the first part of the regular season recovering from knee problems. Harden (with Norman Powell‘s help) kept the Clippers afloat in the West until Leonard returned. From that point on, the Clippers were bound for the playoffs. Having Kawhi healthy is exactly what the Clippers needed, and he’s giving them everything he’s got. The same goes for Harden, who hasn’t choked at any point in the series.

Harden is averaging 21.3 points, 9.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in the series. While his overall efficiency from the floor isn’t great (45.3%), he is shooting 40% from three. He and Kawhi are the keys to the Clippers run through Denver. They’ll remain the keys against whoever they face in round two and beyond if they survive the Nuggets. The good news is, judging by what we’ve seen so far from Harden and Kawhi, the Clippers’ chances are the best they’ve been since the latter arrived in LA and certainly since the former joined him.