James Harden: Clippers 'Don't Have Room for Error' Amid Kawhi Leonard Injury

The Los Angeles Clippers enter this season with less star power than last year after Paul George left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency and Kawhi Leonard got sidelined indefinitely due to right knee inflammation.

Now James Harden guides the team as its clear leader and top option. In an interview with ESPN's Shams Charania, Harden noted how this year's Clipper squad doesn't "have room for error like a lot of other teams."

"I've been in situations like this where we have not as much as other teams, but then that's when my leadership role has to really, really kick in. We don't have room for error like a lot of other teams. We have to be detailed and precise on everything we do, and that starts with me. We started off in the summer, and we've had a really good preseason. So I think for us it's just getting off to a really good start."

Harden's answer was in response to this question: "Do you see yourself as 'the man' here now as you're starting the season without Kawhi? What's your mentality?"

Last season, Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. George posted 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. That pair of two-way stars led the Clippers in scoring, and it'll be hard for the team to replace that production.

The Clippers also face the challenge of fighting for the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference, where 11 teams finished .500 or better and 10 teams ended the season with 46 or more wins. Only a few teams are going through a rebuilding phase right now, with most of the West setting their sights on a spot in the NBA Finals. That makes things all the more difficult for the Clippers and Harden, though he seems up for the challenge.

"I've been in this situation before, so it's easy for me," Harden told Charania, when asked about his experience on being on a team that's been looked over in the past.

"I'm comfortable in this role. And then you get an opportunity to build guys up. Guys that feel like they don't have the most confidence or are still trying to figure that role, you kind of help guys build their gut. Somebody like Kai Jones who hasn't really had a real opportunity in his league. So I think my experience is going to help him."

Ultimately, Harden has a tall task ahead of him in leading a team as its lone star, although the Clippers certainly have solid talent left over from last year's 51-win team, including Norman Powell, Terance Mann and Ivica Zubac, among others.

Game 1 for the Clippers will be at their new home, the Intuit Dome, on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.