James Harden Characters Clippers first half of the season

Very few around the NBA expected Clippers to be part of the playoffs at the Western Conference this season. After seeing Paul George walking in free agency to Philadelphia, Clippers spent their summer building of depth, but did not make any particularly sprayed signatures. They went into the season that is expected to end 12. At the western conference after Win Total, but as the All-Star break approaches, they find themselves sixth in the West of 28-21 and only two games left in a top-4 -position.

They are at that place thanks to the depth they built out, giving them a raised floor and a stable production, but also because of the individual expertise of a few players pushing into major roles. Norman Powell leads the team to score with 24.1 points per Fighting for strong efficiency, which does well on its offseason proclamation that George’s departure could be “addition by subtraction” by creating the opportunity for others. IVICA ZUBAC Averaging 15.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per Battle as he remains a stable presence inside.

And then there is James Harden who won another All-Star committee from the coaches with his spectacle that led Clippers from the Point Guard site. The veteran guard does not have his best shooting season, but orchestrates the LA violation wonderfully, an average of 21.6 points, 8.4 assists and 5.8 rebounds per year. Camp – and plays in 46 of 48 matches so far. Harden, once maligned for his uncompromising heliocentric character in Houston, has become something of a chameleon in this latest chapter in his career. He has learned to adapt his game to his surroundings in a way that is scribbling to look for his time with Rockets, was marked by him who bent the game to his will and forced others to play his game.

Last week, just before his All-Star selection was announced, we got a chance to talk to Harden about that aspect of his game how he would classify Clipper’s first half of the season, Powell and Zubac’s games and more as he did the rounds As part of his new campaign with Pringles as he is part of their Super Bowl ad.

Let’s start with this Pringles Big Game ad. How was the experience like shooting this with Adam Brody and Nick Offerman, and what does it mean to be part of a Super Bowl advertising campaign?

Phenomenal. You know, just obviously, first and foremost are pringles like in Elite Crisp, who has been in a very, very, very long time and still does it at the highest level. So when the opportunity presented itself, it was a no brains. So just – and the whole campaign, it made sense, it was fun. Then I was part of that weekend, the big game weekend, you know I was excited and still excited about the opportunity and I can’t wait for you to see it. But you know it was incredible. I had like a four or five hour shoot and it was a lot of fun.

You’ve made ad campaigns and you’ve done things like that, but it’s such a different level when it’s kind of one of these Super Bowl ads, right? And kind of, how different was it to you as someone who has done these kinds of things before, to be in one of these? And kind of, did you feel a difference right away?

It’s like another level you know it’s another level. It’s like an end game, honest. I mean, it’s the excitement of the whole shooter on the campaign. So to me just being part of it and having the opportunity to be part of it was, I don’t know it’s a blessing, honest. As I haven’t been to one of these spots in one minute and I just brought out all my personality.

We’re talking before Matchup is set so I can’t ask for any game predictions, but I’d like to ask you you are a la guy, I know you’re a big music guy how excited are you for the kendrick -half -time show? And when it was announced, what was the kind of your thoughts about what he wants to, he wants to bring to that stage?

It’s fire. I mean he will bring some excitement to, of course, the game, the show and then the city la, which is very necessary right now. But Kendrick is on fire. You know he has always been one of the best artists and I think the city la will embrace it and will appreciate it and I think the world will appreciate how talented he is. So I’m excited to see it.

I would like to talk about this Clippers season so far. And just to start, how would you judge the first half of you?

Um, good. Good – not good, but good. And I feel like every team says this, but I feel like there are a handful of games that we felt we should have won that could have been better. But you know I think we’re in a good room. Getting Kawhi back and ramping him up and seeing where this team can really take it. I think we are all excited about it. So for us it’s just to stay healthy. You know we got, I think, nine or 10 games before the break, and then after the break, we really hit it up and see where this team can take it. But I think we are all excited. As now, I think people understand how good we can be or, you know it’s not just, “Oh, Clippers lost players last year so they won’t be so good now.” No, we’re really good. So I think that’s what I’m most excited about, you know, within our organization.

You have been in a variety of kinds of guarding and guard dynamics, and how does it allow you when you leave, last year this team plays differently with Paul George for this year without him. How do you lean on the past experience of playing with different stars and different groups that need to adapt, and kind of bring a team quickly with as the Point Guard?

Because I can do a lot of different things. I mean, I’m just not a shooting game, I’m not just a goal scorer, I’m not just a playmaker. I can rebound, just as I can fit literally any system and play well. So i mean i think i just look in general i can see what this team needs and whether it scores, whether it’s playing and then try my best to perform this role with To do other things too if it makes sense. So you know last year was another role. This year is another role, but not really, it’s the same James. I mean, I just get more options. And honestly, it’s exciting. It’s like a game in the game. It’s like you really had to think and find out. And some nights, you know, I ming score 30, some nights I can score 15, but have 15, 16 assists. So you know, no matter what we win, I’m happy and life is good.

I will talk a little about a few of your teammates. First, Norman Powell has a good year. What does it say about him that a guy nine years in his career, he has played a variety of roles, secondary roles, to be ready at this moment to step into the bigger role and be the leading goal scorer on the team and do It effectively?

It is a testimony to the work he has put in. He put the work in and he has always had the mindset that he will score and he can score and shoot basketball. And once again he was limited as last year. And I’m sure he felt that he was limited throughout his career, do you know what I mean? Whether it comes out of the bench or doesn’t play so many minutes, and now you know he has an opportunity to have an exit role and be aggressive out there that we look forward to. So you know I’m proud of how well he plays, the work he has put in, and the result of it is that he has a murder season.

And then Ivica Zubac is inside, he is a guy who really solidifies himself as a really good center in the league. And what have you seen in the last few years from him because it seems that he brings a lot of stability at both ends of the floor for you?

Just smart. He is not super athletic or fast, like a big one, but he is just very intelligent. Know how to like work angles and defensively know where to be, see plays before it happens. Offensively got a very, very good post game. As he has definitely gotten much better as I have been here for a year, he has gotten much better. And I can only imagine that the confidence he has built all over his career. So – and which he still has much more to get better at. And that’s the exciting part. He also works with his ass every single day. And then, so I think as a team, as a whole, we just, we like to grow together.

And then a great story this year is obvious to you with Clippers the new building, Intuit Dome. What has it been like to be part of the start, really a new era for Clippers Basketball?

History. Incredible as if it’s a beauty to be in there. You can see it from the videos or outside, but once you are in that room and it swings in there, there is light and the screen, like, and you get that wall. It’s like an upgraded college arena, do you know what I mean? As on steroids. I don’t know it’s crazy there and I’m just happy to be part of it and just be able to play in there and bend every night.

Last thing for you, you want to start starting 5 season two (on Netflix). What are you excited for fans to get to know you about the floor?

All. You know, mostly I am low key. I give you what I want you to see. Whether it’s my social media or just me personally in interviews or whatever. So I feel that this is an opportunity for fans, people to understand a little more about who James Harden is at a daily base. Whether it’s, you know, from the field, family, business, just who I’m a bit like a person. And then I think it’s time for it and I’m excited about it.