Another day ending in -y. An NBA powerhouse rolled into the Barclays Center to face the the Brooklyn Nets. This time, it was the new-look Los Angeles Clippers, featuring James Harden in just his second game with his new(est) team. If it was any consolation for the Nets, though, the Clippers’ potential to dominate is just that, for now.
Bringing in a ball-handler of Harden’s stature at the expense of nearly all their playable wings means a facelift for L.A.’s rotations and play-style, far after the conclusion of training camp and pre-season. Brooklyn’s previous two opponents, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, made big-time trades as well, but in the off-season, and for players whose fit is more obvious on the surface.