At 36, Harden emerges as the true leader of the Clippers! Leading the new lineup in the championship quest: aiming to break the playoff curse

On October 12th Beijing time, with so many seasoned players on the Clippers, who stands as the genuine leader? NBA journalist Michael Hanich reports that this position now belongs to James Harden. Below is his coverage—

This season, the Los Angeles Clippers have numerous past and present superstar players attracting attention.

From the perspective of fans and media, since Kawhi Leonard has won championships with other teams, no player draws more focus than this forward. On the other hand, James Harden has consistently been a team's central figure and star player, sometimes serving as the second or third core.

When Harden was traded to the Clippers shortly after the 2023-2024 season began, he was not immediately tasked with leading the team. However, this season he has taken on that leadership role.

At 36, Harden doesn’t have much time left to play like an All-Star and chase an NBA title. With the busy roster construction during the offseason, this season represents the Clippers' best chance in years to win a championship. Leonard needs to stay healthy and play most of the regular season and playoffs, while Harden must lead the team to strong results—both carry significant pressure.

He understands this, which is why when asked about his offseason preparation, he said he feels he is in the best shape of his career.

“Even better,” Harden said, “because we have to start very strong. The competition in our division is fierce... By the end of the regular season, we want to put ourselves in a position to perform well in the playoffs. So for us, having a strong start is extremely important. And that has to begin with me and Kawhi.”

Harden’s remarks prove he has become the vocal leader the Clippers truly need.

His words indicate that Harden has not only integrated into the Clippers team but also become the team’s spokesperson.Leonard is a quiet player who provides support in the locker room, but the Clippers require more. They believe they have found that quality in Harden.

Previously, Leonard needed someone who could lead the team not just on the court; the Clippers also needed another leader in the locker room, especially since Paul George (now with the 76ers) could not fulfill that role.

Harden has consistently pushed his teammates to perform at their best in pursuit of reaching the NBA Finals. Last season was a testament to that.

One of the biggest criticisms of Harden has been his defense. When assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy joined the staff, Harden embraced the defensive philosophy. His leadership and encouragement for teammates to adopt defensive principles were key reasons the Clippers ranked fourth in defensive scoring last season (allowing 108.2 points per game).

This season presents a different challenge. The Clippers are a team made up of former All-Star veterans both at their peak and past it, with few young players. Harden at 36, guard Bradley at 32, and Paul at 40 have limited opportunities to win their first NBA championship before ending their remarkable careers. The team has many outspoken players, and whether Harden can be the main voice will be crucial.

The Clippers’ success this season hinges on Harden’s ability to lead the team through the regular season and then step up in the playoffs to break his long-standing playoff curse.