Time to Hand Over the Keys: Why Chris Paul Should Be Running the Clippers' Offense
MIAMI - Monday night’s 140-123 loss to the Miami Heat wasn’t just another bad night for the LA Clippers. It felt like a turning point - or at least, it should be.
The Clippers, now 5-16 on the season, looked disjointed, particularly in how they ran their offense. And while James Harden’s stat lines continue to sparkle, the eye test - and the win-loss column - tell a different story. It’s becoming increasingly clear: if the Clippers want to steady the ship, it might be time to let Chris Paul take the wheel.
Harden vs. Paul: Two Very Different Point Guards
Let’s start with the obvious - James Harden and Chris Paul are both future Hall of Famers. Their resumes speak for themselves. But when it comes to running a team, especially one trying to find its footing like the Clippers, their styles couldn’t be more different.
Harden is the prototype of the modern “hybrid” point guard - a high-usage scorer who racks up assists but does so largely through isolation and ball dominance. Think Luka Dončić, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox - all elite talents, but not traditional facilitators in the purest sense.
Chris Paul, on the other hand, is cut from a different cloth. He’s the classic floor general, a player who doesn’t just pass - he orchestrates.
He’s an extension of the coach on the floor. He gets teammates in the right spots, controls tempo, and values possessions like gold.
And that’s the crux of the issue in L.A. right now.
The Clippers’ Best Stretch vs. Miami? It Came With Paul Running the Show
In the second quarter against the Heat, the Clippers briefly took a 44-42 lead. It was the only time they were ahead all night - and it came with a lineup that featured Paul, Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn, Kobe Sanders, and Ivica Zubac. No Harden.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t explosive. But it was effective.
Paul’s ability to control the pace and keep the offense flowing allowed the Clippers to find a rhythm. That kind of stability is something the team has lacked all season with Harden at the helm.
Turnovers Matter - And Paul Takes Care of the Ball
Harden’s career averages of 7.2 assists and 3.2 turnovers per game tell a story. Yes, he creates a lot, but he also gives a lot back. In contrast, Paul’s career 9.2 assists to 2.3 turnovers is a masterclass in efficiency.
Even last season with the Spurs, Paul posted 7.4 assists per game while still chipping in 8.8 points - all at age 39. His impact wasn’t just on the stat sheet.
He elevated the team’s performance when he was on the floor. And he’s still doing it.
This year, Paul is averaging 10.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.6% from the field and 37.3% from deep. More importantly, the numbers show that when he’s on the court, good things happen.
The Spurs had a +49 plus-minus with Paul on the floor and a -50 without him. His +5.9 net rating was the highest on the team.
That’s not just solid - that’s impactful.
Kawhi and Harden: A Misfit Pairing
There’s also the chemistry question. Harden and Leonard may be elite individually, but together? The fit just doesn’t look right.
Leonard thrives in a system that values ball movement, timing, and balance. Harden, by contrast, wants the ball in his hands - a lot.
That’s fine when he’s the undisputed alpha. But in this Clippers team?
That title belongs to Kawhi.
The numbers back it up. Against the Heat, the Clippers were a staggering +33 in the 19 minutes Kawhi played without Harden.
That’s not a fluke. It’s a trend.
There’s no question Harden can still fill it up. He’s averaging 27 points per game and recently dropped 55 in a single night. But high-volume scoring doesn’t always equal winning basketball - especially when it comes at the expense of flow and cohesion.
Paul’s Game Still Travels - Even at 40
Chris Paul has been doing this for two decades. From New Orleans to the Clippers, to Houston, Phoenix, and San Antonio - everywhere he’s gone, the teams have gotten better with him at the point.
And he’s not just surviving at age 40 - he’s thriving. His understanding of spacing, timing, and tempo is still elite.
He doesn’t need to dominate the ball to make an impact. He just needs the opportunity.
And that’s what the Clippers have to give him now.
Time for a Shift in Identity
Last season, Harden helped keep the Clippers afloat when Leonard missed time. That mattered.
But this is a new season, with new stakes. The Clippers are no longer trying to survive - they’re trying to contend.
To do that, they need to lean into what works. And right now, the Harden-Leonard pairing isn’t working.
Paul hasn’t had many extended runs with the starting five this year. That needs to change. He deserves a real shot to lead this team - not in spot minutes, not in garbage time, but as the full-time floor general.
Let Harden slide into a secondary scoring role, where he can still be dangerous without having to dictate every possession. Let Paul do what he’s always done: organize, elevate, and win.
The Clippers don’t need flash. They need function. And Chris Paul still delivers that in spades.
It’s time to hand him the keys.