Watch: Mavs pregame host eviscerates fickle star James Harden

After highlighting the many different circuses that have surrounded Harden in the past few years, Dameris then pointed out the common denominator. 

"Have you ever had those friends who complain about bad roommates over and over? They're the problem. Hey James: You're the problem! You're not "The Beard," you're not "The System," you're "The Problem."

Following the rant, the Mavericks walloped the Clippers, 144-126, thanks to a 47-18 second quarter, dropping Los Angeles to 3-5 and 0-3 since trading for Harden on Nov. 1. 

"Just getting used to it, you know what I mean?" Harden told ESPN after the game. 

"There's just so many great talented players on this team, I got to find a way to still be aggressive, generating shots or creating shots for myself, as well. So first quarter felt really good on both ends of the ball, and then from there it went downhill."

Just a few seasons ago, the trio of Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would have been as fearsome a group as any in the NBA. But neither Leonard nor George have played more than 57 in a season games since 2020-21 due to various injuries.

In a top-heavy Western Conference featuring the defending champion Denver Nuggets as well as other loaded squads like the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, the Clippers fall short because they no longer have a star in their prime. 

While they're among the league's best in name recognition, none of the Clippers Big 3 are on the same level as players like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic or Devin Booker. Even if Harden, Leonard and George stay healthy, making it through that gauntlet will likely be too tall of a task.