The Los Angeles Clippers are 0-6 since the James Harden trade, and head coach Tyronn Lue's toughest challenge is looking for a solution. The latest update on the Clips is the Daniel Theis signing, an effort to add more depth in the front court.
Adding Theis is meant to address the void left by Mason Plumlee, who is out with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Los Angeles signed the 31-year-old on Wednesday, November 14, after Theis agreed to a contract buyout with the Indiana Pacers, per a report by ESPN citing sources.
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Lue stresses sacrifice as the key to Clips
Although that is welcome news, it will hardly cover the fact that the Clippers have lost their last six games despite adding Harden to the roster.
Lue admitted that it was his toughest challenge yet, although he said it is something he could handle when he spoke to the Bleacher Report.
"The biggest thing is getting these guys to sacrifice for guys, whether that's starting the game, finishing the game, shots, touches, who's running pick-and-rolls, and things like that. Getting these guys to sacrifice will be the biggest challenge all season," the NBA champion coach explained.
Finding Harden's role
James Harden said it would take ten games to determine how he fits in with the Clippers. He is now past the halfway mark and has failed to get his first win in a Clippers uniform.
"I've played a handful of games, and obviously we're not winning, but I'm off the ball more than I've ever been in a very long time. I'm just trying to find a balance between that and getting more pick-and-rolls," the 2018 NBA MVP said via CBS Sports.
Lue may need to give Harden a hand in defining his role. Scoring is a given, although the Clippers have multiple options in Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook on offense.
One department where the 10-time All-Star could flourish is the assists department. He showed he could do that in his stints with the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and the Philadelphia 76ers. In this case, scoring could be secondary for the 34-year-old veteran.
Give role players more playing time
Having four All-Stars at the same time is a privilege for the Clippers. But that does not necessarily mean it is effective.
It could be good to see if it is an all-star game. But in competitive basketball, coaches need role players to do the dirty work.
The addition of Theis gives Lue options. The lesser-known players on the roster can provide the hustle, rebounds, and energy that would help win games. Lue just has to figure out how to insert them in games before turning to his main stars to achieve victory.
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