Harden s bloody battle with illness can t stop the Clippers decline, and the absence of both cores exposes the team s deep crisis

On November 9, the Los Angeles Clippers lost 103-114 at home to the Phoenix Suns, suffering another heavy blow to the season. James Harden returned from illness and scored a double-double of 13 points and 13 assists, but his heroic performance could not stop the team's decline. This game not only exposed the Clippers' vulnerability in the absence of two core players, but also revealed the multiple challenges the team faces at a critical stage of the season.

Harden played through illness to demonstrate his professionalism

When Harden played 12 minutes in the first quarter and scored 8 points and 1 assist on 3-of-6 shooting, few people knew that the superstar was fighting an illness. During the game, Harden slumped on the bench many times during timeouts, looking up with a tired look that was moving. However, it is this professional spirit of "not getting out of the firing line despite minor injuries" that has become one of the few highlights of the Clippers' game.

It is worth noting that Harden still showed top organizational skills despite being in poor physical condition. The 13 assists in the game not only revitalized the team's offense, but also led the team to a 10-0 attack wave at the critical moment of the third quarter, narrowing the 18-point difference to a controllable range. This kind of leadership that stands up in adversity is the best embodiment of Harden's core value as the team.

The absence of dual cores exposed the structural flaws of the team.

Kawhi Leonard continues to be sidelined due to an ankle sprain, and Paul George also sits on the bench to watch the game. This has a fatal impact on the Clippers. Without the restraints of their two major scorers, the Clippers' offensive system appears fragmented. The most obvious evidence was the dismal performance of the team in the second quarter, which scored only 17 points and made 1 of 14 three-pointers.

What is even more worrying is that the Clippers are seriously lacking in scoring ability at critical moments. When the game enters the decisive stage, the Clippers lack a superstar who can make the final decision. Although Harden tried his best, his physical limitations prevented him from taking over the game like he did at his peak. This scoring shortage at critical moments may become the Clippers' biggest hidden danger this season.

The defensive end is full of loopholes

This game exposed many problems on the Clippers' defensive end. Facing the Suns' offense, the Clippers seemed helpless. The Suns were able to easily break through the Clippers' defense, and achieved good results in interior scoring and fast break counterattacks. Especially at the end of the game, the Suns' 8-0 attack wave completely defeated the Clippers' psychological defense.

The problems on the defensive end are not only the responsibility of individual players, but also the collapse of the entire defensive system. Without Leonard and George, the two top defenders, the Clippers' defensive rotations have obviously slowed down, and the perimeter defense has also lost its former intensity. This kind of weakness on the defensive end puts the Clippers in a passive position when facing strong teams.

The bench lineup is embarrassing and useless.

The Clippers' bench lineup performed poorly in this game. Aside from Harden and Beal, the other players' contributions were minimal. Although Batum hit two three-pointers at critical moments, his overall performance was ups and downs. In the end, continuous strikes at critical moments ruined any hope of a comeback. Although Collins and Zubac received many assists from Harden, their initiative on the offensive end was obviously insufficient.

The lack of depth in the bench has always been a long-standing problem for the Clippers. In the absence of the main players, the substitute players are unable to shoulder the scoring burden, which makes the Clippers face huge challenges in the long season. If the management cannot solve this problem in time, the Clippers are likely to fail again in the playoffs.

Coaching tactics are questioned

Coach Tyronn Lue’s tactical arrangements in this game have been widely questioned. Especially in the second quarter, when the team's offense was in trouble, Coach Lu did not adjust his tactics in time, causing the point difference to further widen. It wasn't until he fell behind by 18 points in the third quarter that Harden was allowed back on the court to organize the offense.

In addition, Coach Lu’s substitution decisions at critical moments are also questionable. When the game entered the decisive stage, coach Lu insisted that Harden play the entire game, which may have increased Harden's physical burden and affected his performance at critical moments. How to find a balance between protecting core players and pursuing game victory is an important issue that Coach Lu needs to solve.

The season prospects are not optimistic

With this loss, the Clippers' season prospects have become even more confusing. Problems such as the absence of dual cores, weak substitutes, and defensive holes have all exploded, putting the Clippers at a disadvantage in the Western Conference competition. If these problems cannot be resolved in time, the Clippers are likely to encounter Waterloo in the playoffs.

However, we cannot ignore the potential of the Clippers. When Leonard and George return healthy, the Clippers will still be a championship contender. Harden's organizational and scoring abilities, coupled with Bill's outside shooting, the Clippers' offensive firepower still cannot be underestimated. The key lies in how to create a more complete and stable tactical system while keeping the core players healthy.

Conclusion: Test in adversity

This game is a severe test for the Clippers. With the core players absent and Harden fighting with illness, although the Clippers lost the game, they also showed their tenacious fighting spirit. Harden's professionalism and the team's persistence in adversity deserve our respect.

However, the Clippers must also face up to their own problems. The structural flaws exposed by the absence of the dual-core, the loopholes on the defensive end, and the weakness of the substitute lineup need to be seriously considered and solved by the management and coaching staff. Only by constantly improving themselves in adversity can the Clippers stand out in the fierce competition in the Western Conference and realize their dream of a championship.

For Harden personally, this game is the best interpretation of his professionalism. He scored a double-double while fighting while sick and stepped up at critical moments. Harden proved with practical actions that he is still the league's top star. If he can stay healthy, Harden is expected to reach another peak of his career with the Clippers..

The Clippers' season is still long, and this loss may be a wake-up call. How to rise again from difficulties and how to remain competitive in the absence of dual-core players are all problems that the Clippers need to face and solve. Let's wait and see if this talented team can bounce back from adversity.