With most aging superstars just a few years away from 40, their responsibilities are often reduced. The Los Angeles Lakers went and got Luka Doncic for LeBron James in a generational fashion. This move was pivotal for the arguably greatest player of all time, as he was a fan of Doncic's game, and now does not have to worry about the next era of purple and gold.
The LA Clippers could not find a talent of Doncic's caliber to aid James Harden, but they made an effort by adding Chris Paul and Bradley Beal. These moves were massive, and they were surely run and approved by the 11-time All-Star before any paperwork was signed.
However, Harden must understand before the season begins that Beal and Paul are just role players, and like last season, he will have to be the leader of the mission in dominating the stat sheet with a goal of over 50 wins.
Harden has proven it to be possible, yet this is a large request for someone at the age of 36 with a body that will inevitably decline.
The LA Clippers need James Harden to be a star and replicate his play from last season
Following sixteen seasons of action, James Harden is still needed as the first option on a championship-contending roster. This cements his specific skill set as generational, and one day, a hall of famer, which many already knew.
Last season, Harden was assigned by head coach Tyronn Lue to play his best when Kawhi Leonard was out, and in the games after he returned, to give the LA Clippers their best window of winning in the first season of the new strategy put into effect on the two-time champion.
Harden fulfilled Lue's request and won the Clippers 50 games and a notable playoff spot against the Denver Nuggets.
Yet, these team accomplishments increased the bar for his 17th season, where the Clippers will ask Harden to do it again, and again. This is the unrealistic reality Lue has portrayed. Though he will have backup, the expectation for next season is a top-five seed with double-double averages on better efficiencies.
Nonetheless, Harden's credibility is founded on achieving the impossible. This theory alone gives the fans of the Clippers hope that he will prosper for another season in red, white, and blue, moving his ranking up on the list of iconic combo guards in league history.