It’s Confirmed! "Houston Harden" Mode Activated: Will James Harden Explode This Season?

James Harden is coming into this NBA season with something to prove, and from early glimpses of the Los Angeles Clippers’ training camp, it seems like he’s ready to do just that. Harden, often criticized for starting seasons out of shape in the past, appears to be in peak physical condition as the 2024-2025 season kicks off. His leaner, more defined physique stands in stark contrast to the final year of his Houston Rockets days, when he often used the regular season to play himself into shape.

This time, however, Harden seems laser-focused from the jump. When asked about his form, Harden confidently stated, “By the start of the season, I will probably—no, I will definitely be in the best shape I’ve been in over the last five, six, seven years. I don’t want to talk too much; I just want to show it on the court.”

Harden’s response reflects not only a newfound commitment to his physical fitness but also a renewed determination to prove his doubters wrong. After a few rocky seasons filled with trade demands, injuries, and criticisms of his leadership, the former MVP seems ready to return to a starring role, especially with Paul George now out of the picture in Los Angeles. With George’s departure, the Clippers are in need of a primary playmaker and scorer, and many believe Harden is poised to take on that responsibility.

A Return to Aggression

Throughout the preseason and training camp, Harden has hinted at his intent to return to a more aggressive playing style, something closer to his "Houston Harden" mode. Reflecting on George’s exit and his own role within the team, Harden commented, “I need to be aggressive. Last season, we spent a lot of time figuring out roles, and that was tough. This season, I know exactly what I need to do.”

That clarity comes after years of sacrificing individual stats and recognition for the sake of winning a championship. Harden himself noted, “For the past four years, I’ve made sacrifices—sacrificing money, sacrificing my role—for the sake of winning a title. But people didn’t really notice that.”

Indeed, Harden’s willingness to defer to teammates like Kawhi Leonard and George was evident last season, where his scoring dipped to just 16.6 points per game—his lowest average since his third year in the league. His usage rate dropped to just 20.2%, a far cry from the days in Houston when he carried the offensive load with a usage rate as high as 39.6%.

But with George gone, Harden seems primed to step back into the spotlight, reclaiming the offensive responsibilities he once thrived on. While his explosive first step and athleticism have waned due to age and lingering hamstring injuries, Harden remains one of the most skilled and cerebral playmakers in the game. If given the freedom to operate, a return to 25 points and 10 assists per game is not out of the question, especially if the Clippers’ team success follows.

A Chip on His Shoulder

Beyond the physical transformation and the shift in mindset, Harden enters the season with a noticeable chip on his shoulder. His comments during media day made it clear that he feels overlooked and underappreciated for the sacrifices he’s made in pursuit of a championship. Harden also took a subtle shot at the critics who once claimed his playing style wasn’t conducive to winning. “When I was in Houston, people used to say you couldn’t win playing the way I did. But last season, we saw a guy (Luka Dončić) play exactly the same way and reach the Finals. You need more than just talent; you need the right team structure and some luck.”

This thinly veiled comparison to Dončić highlights Harden’s belief that his approach to basketball, often criticized for its isolation-heavy style, is not as flawed as many have claimed. While his usage and playing style in Houston garnered immense individual success—MVP awards, scoring titles, and 65-win seasons—his Rockets were constantly stonewalled by one of the greatest teams ever assembled: the Golden State Warriors. In Harden’s eyes, had his prime coincided with a more beatable Western Conference, he too could have led his team to the Finals.

There’s a sense of unfinished business with Harden, a desire to remind the basketball world that he’s still one of the league’s most dominant offensive forces. The new season presents an opportunity for redemption, particularly after a disappointing first-round exit in last year’s playoffs to Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks, a series in which injuries to Leonard and George derailed the Clippers’ championship hopes.

Will Harden Return to All-Star Form?

Perhaps the biggest question entering this season is whether Harden can return to his All-Star form. He’s now 35 years old, and while his basketball IQ remains elite, the physical toll of years in the NBA has clearly affected his explosiveness. Hamstring injuries, in particular, have sapped some of the burst that once allowed Harden to blow by defenders with ease.

That said, a more aggressive Harden—one with the freedom to dominate the ball and dictate the offense—could still put up big numbers. If the Clippers can stay healthy and compete for a top seed in the West, there’s a realistic chance that Harden could find himself back in the All-Star conversation. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership, especially on a team as talented as the Clippers, could result in one of the more surprising comeback narratives of the year.

Harden himself seems to believe it’s possible. During his trip to China this summer, he mentioned, “I’ve been sacrificing for the championship these past few years, sometimes too much, and it didn’t get the results we wanted. This year, I think people will see a different James Harden.”

Tyronn Lue’s Vision for Harden

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has made no secret of his expectations for Harden this season. When asked about Harden’s role, Lue replied, “I want him to play the same role he did in Houston. Just make sure everyone is in the right spots because he’s going to get the ball to them. He’s going to find the open guy and lead the team. He’s been doing a great job of that so far.”

Lue’s comments signal a shift in how the Clippers will utilize Harden. Last season, with Leonard and George dominating much of the offense, Harden often took a backseat, focusing on playmaking while sacrificing his own scoring. But with George gone and Leonard’s health always a concern, Lue appears ready to give Harden the reins again, allowing him to orchestrate the offense and lead the team.

It’s a role that Harden has excelled in before. During his prime years in Houston, Harden delivered back-to-back historic seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, winning an MVP award, earning multiple scoring titles, and coming within a game of the NBA Finals. His usage rate in those years was astronomical, but so were his production and efficiency. In 2018-19, Harden averaged a staggering 36.1 points per game, a scoring rate that few players in NBA history have matched.

While it’s unlikely that Harden can return to those exact numbers—given his age and the talent around him—the mindset and leadership qualities that fueled those Houston seasons are still very much intact. Harden, at his core, remains one of the most unguardable players in the NBA when given the keys to an offense. His combination of ball-handling, shooting, and passing allows him to dictate the pace of the game and make his teammates better.

The Clippers' Title Hopes

The Clippers are in an intriguing position heading into this season. They still have Kawhi Leonard, one of the most dominant two-way players in the league when healthy. But Leonard’s availability has been a constant question mark over the past few seasons, and the Clippers have struggled to build any real consistency. George’s departure has left a significant hole in the roster, but it also presents an opportunity for Harden to step up and fill that void.

If Harden can recapture some of his "Houston mode" magic, the Clippers could be legitimate contenders in a loaded Western Conference. His ability to create offense, both for himself and for his teammates, is something the team will desperately need, especially if Leonard misses time due to injury. Harden has already shown that he’s capable of adapting his game to fit different roles, and this season could be his chance to combine the best aspects of his past performances into one final push for a championship.

As Harden himself said, “The past few years, I’ve been sacrificing for the championship, but this season, I think people will see a different me.” There’s every reason to believe that Harden is ready to explode this season. Whether it will be enough to carry the Clippers to a title remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: "Houston Harden" is back, and the rest of the league should take notice.