James Harden deserves more flowers for Clippers run

The LA Clippers' season in 2024-25 has been a story defined by improbability. The chances that the Clippers ended up in this position after the offseason they had last summer were extremely low. Losing Paul George to free agency put the team in a big hole, and the complications to Kawhi Leonard's injury in the offseason only made LA's mission to succeed this season exponentially more challenging.

But from the start, the Clippers were not backing down from the challenge this season's situation presented. Many thought LA was bound for the lottery. But Norman Powell proudly stated at media day in September that he believed losing George would be "addition by subtraction," something that would become echoed across every corner of the internet as observers tried to gauge their opinion of this team.

Now, with one month remaining before the playoffs begin, the Clippers are right on the edge of the top six of the playoff picture. They sit just two games back of the all-important sixth spot. So who should get the most credit for their overachievement this season? The entire roster deserves their shine for the collective work put in, but one player who deserves to be highlighted is James Harden.

Harden has been the main reason for the Clippers' success

The future hall-of-famer has been playing some outstanding basketball all season, and it does not feel like he has gotten enough credit from mainstream media. With Leonard only appearing in 23 games this season as of this writing, Harden was given a huge responsibility and he has risen to the challenge in a big way.

Yes, Norman Powell has also reached incredible heights this season, and he certainly deserves recognition as the Clippers' leading scorer. But it feels hard to say Powell reaches this level without the brilliant basketball mind of Harden there to mentor him. Harden's 50-point game against the Detroit Pistons on March 5 was evidence that he can still put on a clinic on any given night, and Clippers fans have been treated to some fantastic shows of talent from him this season.

The fact that LA is right in the thick of the playoff race despite a very challenging offseason speaks directly to the output of James Harden. It would have been easy to wilt under the pressure of a difficult Western Conference schedule, especially after turning 35 before the start of the season. But Harden has reminded us that there is a reason he is a former MVP and a three-time scoring champion. His longevity and commitment to the Clippers deserves to be celebrated.