The Los Angeles Clippers have yet to win a game since signing James Harden, and coach Ty Lue is clear about what he expects from his new star.

“He’s being far too polite,” Lue observed.

The Clippers fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 105-101 on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena in Harden’s first home game with his new team in front of his local crowd.

The Clippers are 0-4 with Harden in the lineup and are still figuring out their new Big Four of Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.

George had 26 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Clippers. However, Leonard only scored 14 points and was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, while Harden missed 6 of 7 3-point attempts and finished with 11 points. Westbrook finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Lue stated that he reminded Harden and the players at practice on Saturday that Harden has “free rein” to play his game against Memphis.

“I think he’s doing too much to try to fit in,” he added. “That’s on me.” We just had a team meeting yesterday, and he has to be James Harden. He has led the league in assists the previous two or three years, as well as making plays and doing what he does in the pick and roll. He’s fantastic. As a result, we must enable him to be himself.

“I think the whole group hearing and understanding that — listen, we’re going to play through James, he’ll run pick and rolls, he’ll make plays.” They were aware of it. So I just let the group hear it in front of James. So he’s more at ease now, but he doesn’t want to step on anyone’s toes, which I understand because PG, Kawhi, and Russ have all been here. But we need James to be James, and it’s up to me to make sure that happens.”

Harden has struggled to create a rhythm with the Clippers due to the lack of a training camp or a preseason. Harden has averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in four games.

The Clippers (3-6) fell behind by 15 points in the third quarter, then rallied to take a 95-93 lead with 3:09 remaining. They mostly credited their comeback to George, Westbrook, Norman Powell (20 points), Terance Mann, and Leonard. Harden, who was a minus-28 for the game, returned with the Clippers behind by three points with 1:55 remaining and blasted a corner three-pointer to tie the game.

However, Leonard, who did not score in the fourth quarter, missed on a contested drive. Harden missed a corner 3 with 36.9 seconds left that could have knotted the game again, and Leonard then missed an 11-foot fadeaway with 33.1 seconds left, allowing Memphis (2-8) to secure the victory at the line.

“Just figuring each other out,” Leonard explained. “There’s no magic involved.” Just having fun and figuring each other out.”

Harden stated that he understands what Lue expects from him

“It’s to be more aggressive,” stated Harden. “Not just shooting, but just attacking and getting into paint and making the right basketball plays.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Harden and the Clippers, who travel to Denver on Tuesday night to face the defending champions and Nikola Jokic.

“We all have been supportive and we absolutely want James to be himself,” he stated. “I believe that when a trade like that is made, it is for James to come over and provide the same service he has done his entire career.” We know how skilled and effective he is, and he adds a different aspect with his ability to catch-and-shoot, play off the bounce, pick-and-roll, and playmaking.

“We want James to be true to himself. James is accustomed to having the ball and directing and breaking down offense on every possession. I’m sure it’s difficult when it’s not every possession, and I’m sure he’s working through it. We’re all going through something and trying to figure out how to be oneself when those situations arise.”