Clippers View James Harden as Addition That Can Put Them Over the Top

You know the names. Kawhi Leonard. Paul George. Russell Westbrook. And now James Harden.

All four grew up in Southern California. All four are now members of the Clippers. 

And despite their overtime loss to the Lakers on Wednesday, all have big dreams of what can take place in LA.

“What better story to be told than four Southern California guys doing the never been done before and being champions,” George said, via Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. But we’re all very hopeful that we can figure this out.”

George added it makes sense that Harden is now with the Clippers.

“The reason why he’s here is we wanted him here,” he said.

Rohlin reported that Leonard said he was in bed when news of the Harden trade broke. Understandable, given it was 11 p.m. Pacific time.

“I guess excited,” Leonard said of Harden’s arrival. “I know he’s one of the best players that has stepped on an NBA floor.”

Harden, 34, is expected to make his Clippers debut Monday against the Knicks, the first of a three-game trip.

“He wants to win a championship for the LA Clippers,” said president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “He wants to be part of something bigger than himself. He has all the individual awards. He’s about doing something really special.”