8+5 in 19 minutes! It’s great to have Paul. Tyronn Lue spoke his mind. Harden has also been waiting for 6 years.

The NBA preseason officially ended. The Clippers narrowly defeated the Warriors 106-103, bringing a successful conclusion to the regular season. In this game, Bill, who has attracted much attention, made his comeback debut. In only 14 minutes of playing time, he efficiently contributed 12 points and 2 rebounds, and made 6 of 9 shots, showing his excellent competitive state. This victory not only adds confidence to the Clippers' championship prospects in the new season, but also makes people look at Harden's key role in the team's recruitment. Bill's signing is a highlight of the Clippers' offseason, and Harden's personal influence is inseparable from this signing. It is reported that Harden successfully persuaded Bill to join the Clippers through personal relationships. The two have a close personal relationship, and Harden was even the "matchmaker" who met Bill and his girlfriend.

Bill signed with the Clippers for a relatively low salary, which made fans more tolerant of his expectations. In contrast, Harden's decision to push Westbrook to join the Rockets proved to be a mistake. Harden and Westbrook's playing styles conflict obviously. Both of them need to hold the ball a lot, resulting in poor team chemistry. Bill's style is similar to that of former Clippers player Powell. He is good at off-ball offense and outside shooting, which is a perfect fit for Harden's organizational style. The Clippers management made full use of Beal's joining and completed an exquisite transaction. They sent Powell away in exchange for Zach Collins to strengthen the shortcomings at the fourth position, while relying on Bill to fill the forward vacancy.

This operation not only allows the Clippers to go further in terms of lineup depth, but is also equivalent to "picking up" an All-Star level player. Clippers president Frank received high praise for this, and Harden's personal charm and strategic vision also added a lot to the deal. Bill's joining is only the first step in strengthening the Clippers, and Harden's signing plan goes far beyond that. He strongly recommended that the team re-sign Chris Paul, prompting the veteran's return. Paul's arrival brought a reliable backup point guard to the Clippers, and also allowed the team to maintain top-level court control throughout the 48 minutes of the game.

Looking back at the "light bulb combination" (Harden and Paul) during the Rockets period, the two have demonstrated unparalleled tactical dominance through staggered appearances and collaboration at critical moments. Paul's high golf IQ and organizational skills complemented Harden's explosive scoring power. This chemical reaction had already begun to take shape in the Rockets that year. Unfortunately, in 2019, the Rockets traded Paul, two first-round picks and two first-round swap rights for Westbrook, but were eliminated by the Lakers 4-1 in the playoff semifinals. This transaction is considered a major failure in Harden's career, and it still makes Rockets fans sigh. If the team had chosen to continue to trust Paul, with his return to peak performance in the 2019-20 season, the Rockets might have been able to go further in the fierce competition in the Western Conference and even rewrite the title of the championship.

However, there is no if in history. Harden and Paul have bounced around many teams in the past six years, and now they are reunited with the Clippers. They finally have a chance to make up for their regrets. Paul's performance in the preseason proved his worth. Playing an average of 19 minutes per game, he contributed 8.3 points, 5.3 assists, only 1.3 turnovers, shooting 47% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Such data is amazing for a 39-year-old veteran, showing that he is still one of the most reliable field masters in the league. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was full of praise for Paul's return. He recalled that when Paul first joined the Clippers, he teamed up with Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to directly lead the team into the playoffs.

Now, Paul's experience and leadership are considered to once again enhance the Clippers' overall strength. Tyronn Lue said after the game: "Bill's debut was very good, and his state gives us confidence in the new season. The combination of Harden and Paul has injected two 'brains' into the team, and their golf intelligence and leadership are unparalleled. Coupled with the addition of Luo Luo and Collins, our lineup is very comprehensive. The Clippers in the new season will be a strong team that no opponent can ignore."

Last season, the Clippers showed an overwhelming advantage over the Warriors in the regular season. In the new season, with Leonard's healthy return and the addition of new players such as Bill, Collins and Paul, the team's lineup depth and flexibility have been further improved.

Leonard is the core of offense and defense. With Harden's organization, Bill's outside firepower, Collins' inside support and Paul's court control ability, the Clippers' starting and bench lineups have almost no obvious shortcomings. Tyronn Lue's tactical system has also been improved with the arrival of these players. Whether it is positional offense or changing rhythm, the Clippers have the ability to compete with any strong team. Harden's recent mentality has also given the team a shot in the arm. He publicly revealed that he has a 6-year-old child and said that the new season may be the last year for him and Paul to cooperate. Harden's statement not only showed his sense of responsibility to his family, but also conveyed his determination to compete for the championship. Harden made it clear: "There is no need to elaborate on Paul's organizational skills. He can make the team better wherever he goes. I am ready to go all out for the championship."

The Clippers' goal for the new season is very clear - to hit the championship. The "lightbulb combination" of Harden and Paul failed to realize their dream of winning a championship six years ago. Now they are reunited in Los Angeles. Their tacit understanding and experience will become the team's greatest asset. The addition of Bill provided the Clippers with a stable outside scoring point, the inside combination of Collins and Luo increased the defensive strength, and Paul's return gave the team a calm commander at critical moments. The preseason victory is just the beginning, and the Clippers' performance in the new season is worth looking forward to.

As Tyronn Lue said: "We are ready to meet all challenges." For Harden and Paul, this is not only another career cooperation, but also a final sprint to make up for the regrets of youth and chase the championship.