The Clippers lost 99-112 to the Bulls today, ending their four-game winning streak. However, they remain in fifth place in the Western Conference, with the gap between them and the Lakers closing to 1.5 games. Today's loss isn't a big deal for the Clippers, considering that Leonard and Zubac didn't play. These are key players, and Zubac's impact in the paint is irreplaceable by Bamba. Despite Bamba starting and playing well with Harden due to his ability to space the floor and shoot threes, he later became somewhat ineffective.
Bamba couldn't hurt the Bulls' interior defense, and relying on outside shooting alone won't defeat them. Moreover, the Clippers struggled to contain LaVine, who was unstoppable even against the Celtics. LaVine scored 35 points, shooting 11 of 21 from the field and 5 of 12 from three-point range. The Clippers' main issue is not only the absence of two key players but also their lack of energy.
Harden, in particular, played 40 minutes against the Lakers and then logged 30 minutes in just three quarters today. He finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists in 36 minutes, shooting 5 of 17 from the field, 3 of 13 from three-point range, and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, with 5 turnovers. In two consecutive games, Harden played a total of 76 minutes. The Clippers' loss to the Bulls is understandable given Harden's workload. He refuses to rest, as Tyronn Lue pointed out, citing the team's lack of energy and softness in today's game.
When discussing Harden, Lue mentioned fatigue issues, which he has been addressing. Harden has turned down several suggestions to rest. The reason for Harden's criticism today may not be Lue but rather Harden's own insistence on playing. Lue also expressed satisfaction with the Clippers' defense against the Bulls but was disappointed with the offense, significantly impacted by the team's reduced numbers and energy levels. Observing Harden gasping for breath on the bench today confirms that his $35 million salary is well-earned; he has never asked the Clippers for more money. Every dollar spent by the Clippers is justified.
The situation for the Clippers and Harden looks better than at the start of the season. In the first half, the Clippers relied heavily on Harden, but now there's hope. Leonard is expected to have his minutes restriction lifted soon. Once Leonard adapts to the intensity and fully unleashes himself, Harden can take a break. Harden isn't a player who likes to dominate the ball; otherwise, he wouldn't have told Curry during his time with the Rockets that he doesn't want to score 40 points every game and prefers playing like the Warriors.
The principle is clear: if teammates can step up and handle the ball, Harden is more willing to play a supporting role. We've never seen a supporting player carry the team. The Clippers should have no problem making the playoffs; it all depends on Leonard's performance. Harden's championship hopes hinge entirely on Leonard. If Leonard can regain his peak form and stay healthy, the Clippers have a chance to contend. Ultimately, the trio of George, Harden, and Leonard isn't as strong as the duo of Harden and Leonard. A trio depletes immediate combat effectiveness, while a dual-core setup is more reasonable.
A dual-core setup significantly enhances roster depth. After facing the Bulls, the Clippers will go up against the Celtics, followed by back-to-back games against the Wizards, then the Bucks, Suns, and Spurs. The bad news is that the Clippers don't have any easy opponents in this stretch, except perhaps the Wizards. Most of these matchups will be tough. The good news is that the Clippers have three home games, with Thursday's game against the Celtics being a must-win. This will test Leonard's impact on the Clippers. If the Clippers can defeat the Celtics at home, winning against the Wizards shouldn't be an issue, giving them more confidence going into the game against the Bucks. With three consecutive wins, the Clippers could embark on a successful run. It all depends on how they perform against the Celtics next.