In the bustling heart of Los Angeles, the arrival of James Harden and P.J. Tucker sent ripples through the Clippers' atmosphere. Despite the ink on the proposed trade between the Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers not yet drying as Tuesday night embraced the city, the Clippers wasted no time extending a warm embrace to their newest acquisitions.
As Harden and Tucker stepped out of their SUV into the Crypto.com Arena loading dock, the Clippers, led by team president Lawrence Frank, greeted them with open arms. The Clippers' locker room beckoned, and alongside the duo's journey, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer added his personal touch with a handshake to both Harden and Tucker.
Inside the locker room, an air of reunion enveloped as Russell Westbrook, former teammate of Harden in both Oklahoma City and Houston, extended a handshake and playful banter. The camaraderie continued as Westbrook, breaking from his pregame routine, joked with Harden about his new locker placement, sparking laughter and a sense of familiarity.
In the company of Westbrook and Paul George, Tucker and Harden settled in, engaging in a heartfelt catch-up session well before the Clippers took on the Orlando Magic that Tuesday night.
Amidst the media's inquiries about his level of excitement, Harden's response was a resounding, "You don't understand." A sentiment echoed not just in words but in the rhythm of "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" by the Gap Band, which escaped Harden's lips as he strolled through the locker room, accompanied by the tune playing in the nearby trainer's room.
Even with the trade pending official confirmation, the prospect of seeing Harden and Tucker donning Clippers jerseys against the Los Angeles Lakers the following day remained uncertain. However, the Clippers, with a four-day hiatus post the Magic clash, envisioned a mini training camp to integrate their new assets before hitting the road for a three-game stint against the New York Knicks on Monday.
As the Clippers clinched a 118-102 victory against the Magic that night, the anticipation surrounding the impending synergy of Harden, Tucker, and the Clippers' existing roster soared, promising an intriguing chapter in the NBA narrative.
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