With no updates regarding superstar forward Kawhi Leonard's potential return to the court, the Los Angeles Clippers have no choice but to put a heavy offensive burden on former NBA MVP James Harden. Because of this, Bleacher Report analyst Grant Hughes is confident "The Beard" will lead the league in usage rate for November and, quite possibly, the entire season.
Harden must do it all
While Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac are doing their best to provide offensive support -- Powell leads the team in scoring at 25.2 points per game, while Zubac is the team's third-leading scorer at 17.5 points) -- the team's fulcrum remains Harden, who has been thrust into a role he's familiar with from his days with the Houston Rockets.
"Back when Harden was the foremost heliocentric offensive player in the NBA, he led the league in usage rate twice (2017-18 and 2018-19), but the highest figure of his entire career was 40.5 percent," Grant Hughes wrote.
The 2018 MVP ranks 12th in usage rate this season at 31.7, a far cry from LaMelo Ball's league-leading percentage of 36. However, it doesn't stray away from that Harden is and will remain the focal point of the Clippers' offense.
Stunning inefficiency
Now 35, it's clear that Harden has lost that a step or two. He no longer has that burst that he used to blow by opponents, now relying on shifty dribble moves and step-back jumpers to create separation. But despite his age and declining athleticism, Harden is still putting up impressive numbers of 21.8 points, 10.8 assists, and 8.8 rebounds.
However, a closer look at his efficiency paints a different picture. His field goal percentage dropped from 42 percent last season to 36 percent this year, and his three-point shooting has also dropped from 38 percent to 26 percent. This decrease in efficiency can be attributed to his high usage rate and reliance on isolation plays.
"This is what we should have expected; critically, it seems to be what Harden wanted. Barring the unlikely emergence of another high-usage playmaker or the surprising return of Leonard, Harden is bound to continue his extreme alpha role," Hughes added.
Related: Norman Powell shrugs off 7K career points achievement as Clippers Fall to 0-4 at Intuit Dome