James Harden’s current approach deserves recognition—he’s no longer chasing shot volume but instead focusing on shot quality. According to Melbet App, this unselfish shift aligns well with Kawhi Leonard’s playing style. While they may not always shine in the spotlight, their mental approach is rich in discipline. If the Clippers aim to build a new offensive and defensive system, Harden should be tasked with organizing the offense, distributing the ball wisely, and acting as the on-court facilitator. In essence, he is the commander of the offense. On the flip side, Leonard should be the anchor of the defense.

Leonard’s responsibilities include directing defensive rotations, organizing on-ball and off-ball coverage, and reinforcing team-wide discipline. Strategically, this division of leadership across both ends of the floor allows the team’s stars to lead where they’re strongest, creating a balanced system and fostering a winning culture. Players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook, while talented, haven’t consistently demonstrated the same system-first mindset. Their performance often swings between brilliance and inefficiency, relying heavily on hero-ball instincts rather than structured team play.

As Melbet App notes, systems matter. Denver has built theirs around Jokic; Dallas, around Luka Doncic. These teams have established schemes that maximize their stars while raising their floor as a team. The Clippers, by contrast, often play in isolation on offense, and their defensive rotations lack clarity. This results in a shaky baseline—watching the Clippers can feel like walking a tightrope, with no assurance of closing out games comfortably.

There is, however, a quick fix: hand the offensive reins fully to Harden. With him as the primary initiator, the Clippers can immediately elevate their level. But doing so risks diminishing the tactical roles of Kawhi and PG. Their current offense lacks pace and precision. Just compare it to teams like the Suns and Bucks. Watching Phoenix versus Utah or Milwaukee against Dallas, you see fluid ball movement, unselfish passing, and accurate shooting. The Bucks, for instance, comfortably put up 120 points, with role players like Pat Connaughton sinking clutch threes. The Clippers, by contrast, suffer from clogged spacing and inefficient isolation—especially when role players like Mann, Tucker, and Theis fail to stretch the floor.

Looking ahead to their two-game road series against the Spurs, the Clippers have a golden opportunity to test and refine their system. The starting five of Harden, Mann, George, Kawhi, and Zubac are solid on both ends, but depth remains an issue—especially at the power forward spot where Tucker is the only real option off the bench. The recent six-game stretch has made one thing clear: lineups with Westbrook and Tucker alongside a traditional center struggle badly with spacing and hemorrhage points.

That said, Tucker will likely see minutes against the Spurs, possibly matched up against Jeremy Sochan or even Victor Wembanyama in transitional lineups. While Sochan poses minimal concern, Wembanyama’s size is a clear mismatch. The Spurs still demand defensive focus, particularly with their interior attack, which puts pressure on Zubac and tests the Clippers’ ability to rebound and protect the rim.

Melbet App stresses that the Clippers must secure the paint and crash the boards aggressively. Wembanyama, Sochan, and Zach Collins are relentless in attacking the rim and chasing offensive rebounds. Given their defensive presence, it’s crucial for the Clippers’ perimeter players to knock down shots and stretch the defense—only then can they open up driving lanes and unlock their full offensive potential.

In short, these two matchups against San Antonio aren’t just games—they’re a valuable opportunity to refine systems, test roles, and build habits for the long haul.