Clippers and James Harden still trying to figure it out – Daily News

Since the trade, the Clippers have stressed patience. Integrating James Harden into the lineup is a process, coach Tyronn Lue said, one that could take 10 games or so.

But after three games, even the most diehard fans seem to be scratching their heads in wonder. Can Harden fit in with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook?

“I did not expect the Clippers to go 0-3 on this road trip. Yikes. Home to Memphis on Sunday. If they lose that one, I will Really be worried,” former longtime announcer Ralph Lawler posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the Clippers were routed 144-126 by the Dallas Mavericks.

The Clippers have not won since the team acquired the polarizing star, despite Harden’s respectable numbers. In those games, Harden has averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds (all defensive), 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals. Against Dallas, he scored 14 points, grabbed five rebounds and had three assists in 29 minutes.

Harden told reporters after the game in Dallas that he, like the rest of the team, is still trying to “figure out everything.”

“For me individually, this is only my third game. I didn’t have a training camp, I didn’t have a preseason, so everything is still moving fast speed for me,” Harden said. “I need about a 10-game window, then kind of see where I am from there.”

At this rate, though, can the Clippers, who were 3-1 before the trade, afford to ride out another seven or so games before Lue figures out how to make it work with four future Hall of Famers? They now are 3-5 and 0-1 In-Season Tournament play after losing to the Mavericks.

The Clippers have a shot at stopping the bleeding when they play the 1-8 Memphis Grizzlies in an afternoon game Sunday at Cryto.com Arena. The Grizzlies’ lone victory came against the Portland Trail Blazers six days ago.

While Harden is doing his part individually, his presence has disrupted the flow the team had developed before the trade. Leonard no longer is the No. 1 option because he is playing the power forward position, Westbrook isn’t the main ball handler and George’s shooting has disappeared.

George has shot 27.9% from the field since Harden joined the lineup, including going 3 for 12 overall and 1 for 7 from 3-point range in the lopsided loss Friday.

Making things more difficult for Lue and the Clippers is the injury to backup center Mason Plumlee, who is out at least two months because of a left sprained medial collateral ligament. His absence leaves the team without a big man in some instances, which hurts them defensively. Dallas was able to exploit that weakness when starting center Ivica Zubac was replaced by Terance Mann and started on a 44-point turnaround in the second half.

The Clippers had led 31-19 after the first quarter. Lue described their solid play as a “work of art.” By the end, the team had allowed the most points in a non-overtime loss since January 2017.