While the proposed trade between the Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers had not become official as of late Tuesday evening in L.A., Harden and Tucker were welcomed by the Clips the moment they got out of their SUV in the Crypto.com Arena loading dock.
Team president Lawrence Frank was there to greet both players and walk them to the Clippers' locker room. Soon after, team owner Steve Ballmer came over to shake hands with Harden and Tucker.
While Clippers coach Ty Lue and players Kawhi Leonard and Westbrook said they could not comment on the trade until it is official, Westbrook hinted his approval.
"Right now, James and P.J. off-limits. I got nothing for you until it's official," Westbrook said with a smile and a grin after LA beat the Orlando Magic 118-102 on Tuesday night.
Asked if the smile means he's happy despite saying he cannot talk about the deal, Westbrook made it clear.
"Yeah," he repeatedly said. "I mean, s---, why wouldn't I be? Yeah, excuse my language, but definitely, definitely happy."
In the locker room prior to the game, Westbrook and Harden were reunited again. The two played together with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Rockets. Westbrook snapped out of his typical pregame routine and joked with Harden that he can stay on the other side of the locker room, where Harden's new locker will be situated.
Eventually, Tucker and Harden sat near Westbrook and Paul George to catch up over an hour before they faced the Magic.
Asked by a reporter in the locker room how excited he is, Harden replied, "You don't understand."
https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1jbt5o.img
― omar little, Thursday, 2 November 2023 18:39 (one month ago) link
i love for boban that he got meme-ified too, i just wish the commercial with him that they play incessantly wasn't a) essential laughing at his expense, and b) so grating
― Lavator Shemmelpennick, Thursday, 7 December 2023 18:51 (yesterday) link
Griffin entered the locker room and began harping on the importance of winning the rebounding battle, sources say.The Pacers outrebounded the Bucks 51-46.
Portis, who scored four points on just five shots against Indiana in a near-season-low 18 minutes, quickly interjected and stressed how essential it is for Griffin to structure the offense down the stretch of games, sources said.
As one of the leaders of the team, Portis continued on voicing his concerns. Griffin welcomed the criticism and acknowledged he could do a better job being more aggressive with his play-calling, sources say. The nine-year veteran explained that it's a two-way street: direction is needed and then it's up to the players to execute, sources say.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10100304-sources-bucks-veteran-challanges-head-coach-after-in-season-tournament-elimination― infinite wiggles (Spottie), Friday, 8 December 2023 04:32 (eight hours ago) link