Following Crickex Sign Up, even though the Clippers look a step down on paper, as long as Kawhi Leonard returns healthy, they won’t fall too far back and fans remain excited to see how they perform this season. If you can’t accept it, change it; if you can’t change it, let it go. Without a third superstar in James Harden, this season’s roster will lean more heavily on other scorers. However, given Harden’s age and his teammates’ varying three-point range, he is unlikely to torch entire defenses one-on-one like he did during his Rockets days.

Preseason play showed that Harden intends to score first and then bring others into the game. Crickex Sign Up reporters observed him consistently setting screens on the perimeter to draw opposing centers out of the paint, creating space for Ivica Zubac to feast inside, Bones Hyland to slice into the lane, and Norman Powell to knock down catch-and-shoot triples. In Houston, Harden operated more like a two-guard, breaking opponents down with isolation scoring while still compiling MVP-level assist totals. Now, freed from that role, he’s shifting back toward true point guard duties—dropping 20 points by halftime before racking up double-digit assists in the second half. It’s a role reversal that could become second nature but will take time given his mileage.

Strategically, head coach Tyronn Lue will need to adjust rotations to keep opponents guessing. The Clippers built their identity on staunch defense, but this revamped offense will test whether they can roll with the punches while maintaining their defensive grit. Matchup data from the bubble showed they excel when the floor is spaced; clogging the paint against Zubac is one way for defenses to blunt their effectiveness. With only three true scoring threats in the starting lineup, spacing is critical. Terance Mann and Bones Hyland offer flashes but aren’t consistent enough to carry an offense—neither is quite up to snuff at the elite level.

Consequently, this opening five will almost certainly be weaker than last season’s—not because of schematic flaws but personnel constraints. Rumors suggest the front office may shake up the starters after about ten games, sliding Mann or Hyland to the bench and elevating Kevin Porter Jr. to boost aggression. At present, the Clippers lack a bona fide ball-dominator; expecting Leonard to log even thirty regular-season games is a stretch. Beyond Harden, Porter Jr. is the lone player capable of shouldering significant touches. The team is dangerously thin on dynamic playmakers.

Even if Kawhi sits out, fans should not expect Harden to light up the scoreboard night after night. Crickex Sign Up reporters note that he’s never aimed to influence games solely through scoring; even in his highest-output seasons, he prioritized assists and activating teammates. Unless the situation demands a scoring outburst for a must-win, his points will serve as the baseline, and he’ll still find the open man when it matters most.

This season, the key will be how well the new pieces mesh and how quickly they can adapt. If the Clippers can maintain their defensive stinginess while forging a reliable, well-rounded offense, they may surprise a few skeptics in the West.