James Harden's disappointing performance in the NBA playoffs is detailed in a harsh analysis thread.
Last Night's Clippers' Fiasco: Harden's Playoff Woes on Full Display
Saturday night wasn't exactly a night to remember for James Harden and the LA Clippers. The season came to a bitter end as they suffered a disheartening 19-point defeat to the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series. Harden failed to quell his playoff demons, managing a mere seven points in this humiliating game.
NBA insider Josh Eberly, known for his insightful takes, recently shared a thread on X (previously Twitter) that delved into Harden's less-than-stellar playoff moments. One of the standout instances includes Harden's poor shooting performance in the 2012 NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a puzzling ten-point outing against the San Antonio Spurs in 2017, and his lackluster performances when the Philadelphia 76ers were up 3-2 against the Boston Celtics back in 2023.
These moments demonstrate a trend of underperforming during the playoffs - a reputation that Harden has carried throughout his illustrious career.
"Enough is enough," Eberly concluded. "At some point, a guy is who he is, and the mental/physical load with all the pressure is just not something they are going to overcome."
One user commented, "Detailed and devastating," while another tried to offer a brighter perspective, emphasizing that "he makes the playoffs every year. One of the highest floor players of all time who seemingly guarantees 50 wins."
The Future of Clippers with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard
The future of the Los Angeles Clippers hangs in the balance, with questions surrounding Harden's continued struggles in the post-season. Harden, at 36 years old, still boasts an impressive career, coming painfully close to outsmarting the Kevin Durant-led Golden State Warriors in 2018.
However, his latest underwhelming performance in Saturday's game is unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon, overshadowing a remarkable season for Harden. Fans can only wonder if the Clippers' outlook will change following this demoralizing defeat.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard, the team's leading force, has yet to offer any remarks about what's next for the Clippers. In a blunt response to reporters, he simply stated that the team needs to fix their defence and offence, and they'll be alright[3].
Banking on Russ: Russell Westbrook, not to be outdone, delivered a history-making performance in Game 7 with a quadruple-double - becoming the third player in NBA history with at least two career quadruple-doubles in the playoffs and the first ever to do so against the same opponent[5].
As the dust settles on this disappointing season, the Clippers must address Harden's playoff woes and work together to regain their winning momentum. Only time will tell if Harden can rise above his playoff struggles or if this latest season was his swan song as a perennial contender.
Footnotes:
[1] Google News, "James Harden playoff disappointments highlighted by NBA insider," accessed May 23, 2023.
[2] Basketball-Reference.com, "James Harden Game 7 stats," accessed May 23, 2023.
[3] ESPN, "Kawhi Leonard blunt about Clippers' issues after Game 7 loss," accessed May 23, 2023.
[4] Basketball-Reference.com, "James Harden playoff turnovers," accessed May 23, 2023.
[5] ABC News, "Russell Westbrook becomes first player with two career playoff quadruple-doubles vs. one opponent," accessed May 23, 2023.
In light of James Harden's poor performance in last night's Game 7, basketball fans and pundits are banking on Russ to elevate his game, as Russell Westbrook's history-making quadruple-double serves as a beacon of hope for the Clippers' future. Meanwhile, questions swirl around Harden's continued struggles in the playoffs, with his disappointing moments scrutinized by insiders like Josh Eberly.
As the Clippers' future hangs in the balance, the team and its fans are left to ponder the fate of their star player, James Harden, who at 36 years old has demonstrated a recurring trend of underperformance in the playoffs. With Kawhi Leonard remaining silent on the matter, it remains unclear whether the Clippers will be able to regain their winning momentum and exorcise Harden's playoff demons.
