The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most active teams this offseason. They stunned all by signing veteran free agent Chris Paul. The decision immediately captured fans’ attention, as he has reunited with James Harden and joined forces with Kawhi Leonard to form a dynamic trio. Beyond Paul, the Clippers also strengthened their roster by adding Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez.
However, amid the excitement, Kawhi Leonard’s recent controversial endorsement deal momentarily cast a shadow on the team’s momentum. Despite that, the Clippers kept their focus intact. They organized a private minicamp in Arizona ahead of the official training camp to build chemistry among their revamped lineup.
During an interaction with reporters, James Harden gave a detailed account of the team’s private minicamp. Harden shared that the camp was for older guys and stated the importance of off-court bonding.
“It really was for more of the older guys. Just to kind of get the guys on board and hang out a little bit. We had a couple of days just working out. Hanging out, man, that’s what it’s about. The more time we spend off the court, the better on the court it translates. I think it’s helped so far in training camp. Obviously, it’s been a little over a week, but I think it was a good start for us,” Harden said.
When asked who stood out to him the most in camp, Harden didn’t hesitate to single out Lopez for his impact and skill.
“I think Brook [Lopez]. He’s good, man.He’s gonna bring a lot of value to our team. I’m excited he’s on our side,” he said.
James Harden Discusses His Reduced Workload And Efficiency
In another part of the interview, Harden opened up about what a lighter offensive burden might mean for his role on this new-look Clippers team.
“We’ll see. It means I get more catch-and-shoot opportunities, which I’m pretty efficient at. We’ve got more guys that can handle the ball, more guys that offensively can put pressure on defenses… Last year, we were put in a position where, from the beginning of the season, I had to have a higher workload, so this year, hopefully it’s a little bit different. I can see me being more efficient,” Harden said.
The Clippers aim to reduce Harden’s workload by signing several new stars, and as a result, hope to maximize his efficiency. This will allow him to thrive in a more supportive offensive system as the Clippers chase their long-awaited championship.
The post James Harden Details Private Arizona Minicamp With “Older Guys” Ahead Of Clippers Training Camp originally published on Total Pro Sports.