With the ball in his hands and the need to attack, James Harden is off to a good start to the season: 21.6 points, 8.5 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Harden enjoys a good night’s sleep, but one of the things he’s focused on more at age 35 is getting enough sleep and prioritizing taking care of his body. From ESPN’s Brian Windhorst:
People close to Harden told ESPN he is getting the most sleep of his life as he manages to play at age 35, and people close to the Clippers said Harden’s developing bond with new assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy has helped the guard’s day-to-day preparation. Harden has been known to enjoy life off the court and still does, but team personnel told ESPN that he puts in the work on the floor and is often a positive influence in getting teammates, especially center Ivica Zubac, into the weight room for extra work.
The Clippers are winning — 14-10 and sixth in the West — thanks to a top-five defense anchored by Zubac (who should be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation). Los Angeles was offensive enough to pull this off thanks to Harden, Zubac and a career year from Norman Powell. Harden’s efficiency lags behind (33.8% from beyond the arc, for example), but at 35 years old, he gives the Clippers everything they can ask for.
And he sleeps a lot.