West Notes: Clippers, James Harden, Rockets, Lakers

Clippers

The Clippers went from a Big Three of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden, to just Leonard and Harden after George bolted for the 76ers.

Well, former 76ers big man Theo Ratliff wonders if Leonard, Harden and a bunch of role players will be enough as the Clippers move into their own building this season.

“The one thing Paul George does that James Harden didn’t do is play defense,” Ratliff said on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

That may be true. As Joey Linn of SI.com wrote, “Harden’s defense came and went in his first year with the Clippers, as the 34-year-old former MVP showed signs of ability on that end during stretches of games, while struggling to contain the ball in others.”

• The Clippers did talk George trade with the Warriors, per reports, and supposedly wanted Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga as part of the return. We have that full story here.

Rockets

The Rockets will most certainly be looking to go from a good defensive team to an elite one under coach Ime Udoka next season. Can they do it?

According to Lachard Binkley of SI.com, the answer may be yes.

“With another season under Coach Udoka, and if players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith can improve their overall defense, the Rockets could become a top-5 defense next season,” Binkley wrote.

“Remember that this was without one of their best defenders, Tari Eason, who missed most of the season. Add in the addition of Steven Adams, and now you start to see the path to an elite defensive team.”

• Something else to think about — forward Amen Thompson may have a case to start over Dillon Brooks in Houston. We have all those thoughts here.

Lakers

Guard Gabe Vincent qualifies as the Lakers’ biggest X-factor entering the season, per Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report. That’s an interesting pick, but one that also makes sense.

“Signed to a three-year, $33 million deal last summer, Vincent was supposed to be the ideal backup to D’Angelo Russell at the point — one who could handle the offense on his own when necessary but also provide defensive oomph and off-ball value as a shooter in other lineup constructions,” Hughes wrote.

It didn’t work out that way, largely because of injuries. But given how the Lakers are one of just three teams to have not signed any free agents, they are banking on returnees such as Vincent.