Paul George Wanted No Part of Reporter’s Question About James Harden’s Slump

Patrick Andres | Apr 4, 2024

Nov 10, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) and LA Clippers forward Paul George. / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

For the last half-decade or so, the most mysterious team in the NBA has been the Los Angeles Clippers.

When Los Angeles signed superstar Kawhi Leonard and pried forward Paul George away from the Oklahoma City Thunder before the 2019-20 season, many assumed a takeover of the NBA was imminent. That never quite came to pass, thanks to a run of injuries and frustrating playoff exits.

This season has served as a microcosm of the Clippers' entire recent history. The team's roster is drowning in name recognition, but the team is playing .500 basketball since the All-Star break—a slump that has left Los Angeles a tenuous fourth in the Western Conference.

Asked recently how the Clippers could lift guard James Harden out of a recent slump, George replied, "I'm not the coach. Next question."

Harden, a three-time scoring champion, hasn't cracked 20 points in a game since March 6.

Los Angeles will have to get its act together in some form or fashion quickly. Its next game is a Thursday night home date with the defending champion Denver Nuggets.