The Los Angeles Clippers are walking a tightrope between contending and collapsing, and the entire NBA is watching. On one side are critics, who see an aging, overextended lineup. On the other? Players like Ivica Zubac believe the team has never been stronger.

For Zubac, the promise of a stronger, more balanced Clippers lineup is clear. He knows what it takes to compete night in and night out, and he’s openly optimistic about what the new group can achieve. Behind the scenes, the players have been sharpening rotations, enhancing chemistry, and ensuring that Harden has the tools needed to thrive. With key questions about age and endurance looming over the team, Zubac insists there’s more to the Clippers than critics see: a story that could reshape the narrative entirely.

“I’m very happy,” Zubac said in an interview. “I think the team got much better than last year. Last year we won 50 games, and I think we improved a lot. I think all the weaknesses we had from last year we improved. We got bigger, we got a backup center, we got a four, we got Bradley Beal, we got Chris Paul. So I think we improved a lot. I’m very happy, and I’m super excited to start the season and see what we can do.” These words underscore the optimism in the locker room: while external voices raise concerns, Zubac sees a roster that is not only intact but strategically fortified, ready to leverage Harden’s skill and veteran experience across multiple positions.

Like Zubac indicated, offseason preparation has been equally strategic. Training sessions emphasize on-court synergy and rotational depth, ensuring that each veteran, including Harden, is ready for the grind of a Western Conference schedule that shows no mercy. For Zubac, the challenge is about turning experience into execution, leveraging Harden’s skill and the team’s depth to create an environment where criticism falls flat in the face of performance.

The improvements go beyond the names themselves. Chris Paul provides Harden a seasoned co-creator who can manage pace, run the offense, and relieve Harden’s playmaking burden against bench lineups. The frontcourt depth, strengthened by Lopez and Collins, strengthens rim protection, rebounding, and matchup versatility, all areas that contributed to close losses last season. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal’s perimeter scoring is perhaps a better version of Norman Powell’s from last year, and opens lanes for Harden’s playmaking. These adjustments make the rotation more balanced and capable of enduring the West’s punishing schedule.

The Clippers are blending James Harden’s remaining years with the wisdom of other seasoned veterans and the eager energy of players looking to reach the promised land. By strategically addressing last season’s weaknesses with size, spacing, and playmaking depth, the team is positioning itself to turn external skepticism into a competitive advantage. The pushback is clear: this roster is not just intact, it’s potentially stronger.

Critics Voice Concerns About Age And Durability

Despite the Clippers’ optimism, external voices have raised red flags. Jeff Teague did not hold back on his podcast: “If this was three years ago, I’d be like, ‘It’s the best team you could put together right here.’ And now… Chris Paul 40. Patty Mills 37. Brook Lopez 37. Nic Batum 36… Kawhi 34, James Harden 35. That’s the oldest team in NBA history, bro.”

Kendrick Perkins piled on Teague’s critique, joking that some of the Clippers’ veterans looked more suited for a retirement home than the NBA hardwood, calling them “the old folks“. Beyond the jokes, however, he added a warning: “This team doesn’t have room to sit out, doesn’t have room for guys to be injured. Every night is going to be a war.” That’s where the tension lies.

The Clippers have seen firsthand how last season’s end, a first-round exit despite 50 wins, left them with unfinished business. They know they need every minute of cohesion and health to compete in a loaded Western Conference. For James Harden, the stakes are personal: finally proving doubters wrong and making the most of his remaining years.