INGLEWOOD — New Clippers point guard Darius Garland is the archetype of the player he is replacing in the starting lineup. He’s a lot like James Harden, but different.
Garland was acquired by the Clippers on Tuesday in a trade that sent Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving the team a guard who is 10 years younger and quicker. At 26, Garland has two All-Star nods in his seven NBA seasons and was a key member of several Cavaliers playoff teams.
Harden, an 11-time All-Star, is one of the players on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team, a nod to his contributions to the game over his 16-year career that will land him in the Hall of Fame. He ranks ninth on the NBA’s career scoring list, 12th on the assists list and has made more 3-point shots than anyone but Steph Curry.
But on the court, their games are similar.
For instance, they can both run the floor and create scoring opportunities for teammates. They’re both good 3-point shooters and handle the ball effectively, allowing them to break down defenses and set up their teammates for open shots.
And it’s those qualities that the Clippers will be counting on when Garland joins the team after the NBA All-Star break. He is currently recovering from a big toe sprain he suffered two weeks ago and did not play in his former team’s 124-91 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome.
“It’s a blessing being here,” Garland said at a hurried introductory news conference during halftime. “It was a great time in Cleveland. Started my career off there, they took a leap of faith there, drafted me at fifth (overall) after five games of college basketball, so I really appreciate them for everything. But the last 48 hours have been crazy.”
“I have respect for all of those guys over there. … Seven years was a really long time, and it was great. I’m glad I’m here now. The next chapter in my book.”
Garland spent much of Wednesday acclimating to his new surroundings. He explored the arena and the Clippers’ practice facility. He met the coaches, players and personnel and sat on the bench for the first half of Wednesday’s game.
“It was super cool. I feel like the new kid at school, just trying to get acclimated and get kind of comfortable, just getting to know everybody, seeing some of my guys here that I see a lot during the workouts in the summertime and just being here, just having my time here.
“So, I’m super excited being here, super tight, being with the team. It’s a beautiful arena, new energy, new crowd. And, yeah, I’m super excited.”
Another difference is his exuberance. Garland used the word “super” 17 times during his 10-minute news conference and called himself a silly guy who likes to have fun. Harden is more low-key and rarely smiles in interviews.
“I’m kind of cool, relaxed. A lot of people say I’m nonchalant, but I care about basketball, I care about winning games,” Garland said. “That’s what I’ve dreamed of doing all my life. So I just want to put my best foot forward and go out there and try to do as much as I can for Clipper Nation.”
That’s where the two personalities converge. Harden and Garland want to bring a championship to their new cities.
“My last three or four years, I’ve been in the playoffs, so I’m trying to keep that streak continuing, especially here, especially with the new energy and everything,” Garland said. “I really want to just up the standards a little bit here in the Clippers organization and everybody else on that bench does too as well.
“I’m super excited about that. Everybody wants to win and that’s why they brought me here. So, I’m looking forward to doing that.”
Lue said he looks forward to coaching the young guard, who has averaged 18 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games this season.
“He’s different from James but we can play differently, a faster pace, more pace, playing him off the ball more so it’s going to be exciting,” Lue said. “So, I’m happy for both sides, like I said. And I’ve known DG for a while. Having a young point guard under my tutelage for the first time since Kyrie (Irving), so it’s going to be fun.”
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson called Garland one of his favorite players and seemed to take comfort in handing him off to Lue, who is known for getting the most out of his players.
“Ty is going to be great for Darius,” Atkinson said. “Ty was a point guard himself and understands the position. You know, my relationship with Darius, and to lose it, is kind of a tough day. But the positive is that he is coming to the Clippers and he will be with Ty. I expect him to be great here and I’m rooting for him.”
It might not have been a change Garland was looking for, but he is embracing the possibilities of teaming with Kawhi Leonard and the rest of his new teammates.
“I hope T-Lue uses me like he did Kyrie in that championship run they had (in Cleveland),” said Garland, whose father Winston Garland played 1½ seasons with the Clippers in the early 1990s. “But whatever T-Lue wants me to be, whatever position he wants me to be in, I’m going to do that. I’m here to win games.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
