The Los Angeles Clippers got here into this season seeking to construct off a promising 2024-25 season that crashed and burned within the playoffs. LA actually hit their stride to complete the yr, and took the Denver Nuggets to seven video games within the first spherical, earlier than no-showing in recreation seven.
There have been positives that got here out of the yr although. Kawhi Leonard completed the season wholesome, and seemed like his outdated self within the playoffs. James Harden was as soon as once more an All-NBA participant. Norman Powell was an absolute revelation, and sure would have gained Most Improved Participant honors if he didn’t miss time as a result of a hamstring harm.
The crew’s supporting forged of Ivica Zubac, Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn all contributed. The Clippers simply wanted to proceed to spherical out their supporting forged. They traded away Powell to get John Collins to bolster their frontcourt. They signed Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul in free company to provide them extra scoring in Beal, and a steady floor-general in Paul.
Additionally they introduced in Brook Lopez to provide Zubac a real backup huge. Regardless of their outdated age, the Clippers seemed like they’d nonetheless be a significant participant within the West. To start out the season, that has not been the case.
The Clippers have been an absolute catastrophe thus far
LA is presently 4-10, and in eleventh place within the Western Convention. Leonard has already missed eight video games as a result of an ankle harm, and Beal was dominated out for the season as a result of a fractured hip. Accidents have been a problem, however the on-court product has seemed something however promising.
By 14 video games, the Clippers are twenty first in offensive score, twenty fifth in defensive score, and twenty second in total web score. They play on the second slowest tempo, which in a league that’s enjoying quicker and quicker, just isn’t the fashion you need.
Harden has been doing every part he can, averaging 26 factors per recreation, six rebounds, and 9 assists. He’s getting little to no assist from his supporting forged. Zubac is averaging 16 PPG, and 11 rebounds, however Collins, Lopez, Bogdanovic, and Nic Batum are giving little to no offensive or defensive manufacturing. Whenever you watch LA play, they only look outdated, and over-reliant on a 36-year outdated James Harden.
It may go from unhealthy to worse rapidly for the Clippers
L.A. can’t even tank as a result of OKC owns their decide due to the Paul George commerce. If issues hold going the way in which they’re, that decide may find yourself being within the lottery. In a stacked draft class, this isn’t the yr to not have a first-round decide, particularly in the event you aren’t a contender.
The NBA season is an 82-game marathon, and the Clippers have time to show it round. If they’ll get Leonard again wholesome, something is feasible for them. Sadly, that’s not a assure, and LA could possibly be staring down the barrel of a nightmare season.
