Former Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Cowherd rips L.A. trading for James Harden: 'The Clippers got a well-past-their-prime diva'

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 10/31/23

The second FS1 talking head Colin Cowherd said that the Philadelphia 76ers had received a "chemistry upgrade" by trading ten-time NBA All-Star James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers was the moment that Cowherd tipped his hand.

If there was any thought in Cowherd's head that the Clippers received any value by trading for Harden, it was completely covered up by his disdain for the man they call "the beard."

Yes, Harden has been an NBA superstar and yes, he scored 21 points per game and notched 10.7 assists for Philly last season.

On a team that already features Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the addition of Harden could very well put the Clippers over the top in the extremely competitive Western Conference.

Cowherd has different thoughts, though.

"The Clippers got a well past their prime diva who's never reliable in the playoffs, adding to their weird circus of a roster," Cowherd said.

.@ColinCowherd sounds off on Clippers trading for James Harden:

"They got a well past their prime diva who's never reliable in the playoffs." pic.twitter.com/KQOpxGHq8y
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 31, 2023

The problem? He believes the pillars of the team are unreliable.

He believes Leonard is undependable physically, Harden is undependable mentally, and Westbrook can't shoot when it matters.

Ultimately, he believes the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer are just trying to build a collection of stars, rather than a cohesive basketball team.

Undoubtedly, though, Cowherd's greatest point of consternation is Harden.

"Harden has quit on three teams, maybe four. I lose track," Cowherd explained. "I don't know what the Clippers got. They can go to their fans and say 'Look, we got another Hall of Famer.' Harden is a Hall of Famer. He's played with Hall of Famers. Does it matter in late April, May, or early June? It never has."

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