The complexities surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers’ superteam can fill entire volumes, particularly in light of the drama instigated by James Harden this summer. Fans who expected him to arrive in peak condition and ready to contribute significantly towards a championship run with the Clippers may have been overly optimistic. Harden has yet to demonstrate the merit behind his demands for a substantial contract extension from Daryl Morey, raising questions about his influence and effectiveness on the court.

As the primary guard for the Clippers, Harden’s usage rate has plummeted to career-low levels during his time with the team, currently averaging a mere 4.5 assists per game in a reduced role. His footwork lacks the quickness it once had, yet the awkwardness in his play remains evident. Unfortunately, he continues to act as a black hole, significantly slowing down the offense. The recent loss to the Memphis Grizzlies serves as a stark reminder of how unreliable Harden can be on the court, raising concerns about his fit within the team’s dynamics.

In a tense moment against the struggling 2-8 Memphis Grizzlies, trailing 101-98, Kawhi Leonard rushed the ball up the court in a critical transition play. He drove into the lane and lobbed a pass to Harden in the right corner. The crowd held its breath during Harden’s shot attempt, only to collectively sigh in disappointment as he airballed the shot—a disappointing outcome that has become all too familiar with him.

In high-pressure situations, when the stakes are highest and the tension mounts, many players thrive, but Harden seems to crumble. Over the years, he has developed a reputation for faltering during critical moments when he has the ball in his hands. While there are certainly players who perform worse than Harden in these clutch scenarios, few stars have inspired as much frustration as he has. Data shows that in the final five minutes of closely contested games, defined by Second Spectrum as “clutch time,” Harden tends to be a momentum killer. When he fails to earn free throws, his shot attempts often miss the mark, leaving fans wanting more. This isn’t simply a narrative built from perception; the statistics firmly back this claim. Even during his MVP season, he struggled in these pivotal moments that can sway the outcome of closely fought games.

The clutch performances of Russell Westbrook serve as a stark contrast to Harden’s struggles, highlighting why Westbrook was awarded the MVP over Harden in their tight 2017 race. During clutch time, Harden recorded the second-worst field goal percentage among all qualified scorers, shooting only 35.5% from the field on 93 attempts, including a dismal 27.3% from beyond the arc. In addition to averaging the first triple-double in decades, Westbrook led the league in clutch scoring, making numerous game-winning shots, with a field goal percentage of 44.6% and draining 33% of his three-point attempts.

Since that memorable 2017 season, Harden has done little to reverse the narrative of being “Mr. Self Check” in pressure-filled contests. In his last appearance in a high-stakes situation with Philadelphia, he managed just 9 points in a decisive Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. Comparatively, here’s how he measures up against many of his All-NBA counterparts in the regular season since 2017, as compiled by Deadspin’s Stats & Info Department (which utilizes Microsoft Excel and Second Spectrum).

Analyzing James Harden’s FG% in Clutch Situations Since 2017

James Harden – .372 FG%

Damian Lillard – .391

Paul George – .423

Steph Curry – .430

Russell Westbrook – .430

Kawhi Leonard – .431

Kyrie Irving – .436

Evaluating 3-Point Field Goal Percentage in Clutch Time Since 2017

Kawhi Leonard – .258

Russell Westbrook – .260

James Harden – .288

Damian Lillard – .303

Paul George – .307

Kyrie Irving – .311

Steph Curry – .331

Unsurprisingly, Steph Curry emerges as the most accurate shooter from all ranges, even in clutch situations. While Kawhi Leonard may not excel from deep, he compensates for it by being a reliable scorer in two-point situations. He has notably improved since a missed free throw in Game 6 that once jeopardized Ray Allen’s iconic series-extending three-pointer.

Kyrie Irving’s presence on the court during crucial moments justifies the headaches that come with him, especially considering he hit one of the most legendary shots in Finals history to help complete an improbable 0-3 comeback against the 73-win Warriors. He is arguably the most clutch scorer in the league. However, when the game is on the line, Harden has consistently struggled. His .372 clutch time field goal percentage since 2017 is the lowest among his peers by a significant margin.

Coach Tyronn Lue has multiple options at his disposal beyond just his recent acquisition. While Harden is always willing to take a shot, he should not be prioritized as the first, second, or even third option in critical plays. Contrary to the buzz surrounding Paul George, he consistently puts forth maximum effort and delivers reliable outcomes when it matters most. Surprisingly, Westbrook has proven to be a more effective scorer than Harden under pressure.

When the game is on the line, Harden is the last player that should possess the ball. Although it’s still early in the season, the Clippers are gaining firsthand insights into why The Beard was available at bargain prices on the trade market. He tends to shy away from championship opportunities and often falters in the moments that define legendary players.