For the last two and a half seasons, James Harden set and maintained a couple of standards as the star point guard: high-level availability and dual-threat impact, which led to winning basketball. He made the postseason in both of his opportunities with the LA Clippers, but given that the front office dealt him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland, the backcourt contributions will not be the same, and regret will be felt.
Harden set the bar so high that Garland, on his tippy toes, will still fall short. He was great as a Cavalier, but the combination of missed games and versatility will have the Clippers wishing they could take back time and cave in to Harden’s extension demands.