Welcome to the NGSC Sports NBA Swing.
When the Clippers shocked the whole basketball world blowing a 3-1 lead to the Nikola Jokic led Denver Nuggets in last year’s Western Conference Semis everyone believed that the Clippers would never be built mentally to take the next step in pursuit of a title. Even with the ideal formula to take down the likes of Lebron James with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George; two of the best top 10 players in the world. The Clippers just weren’t quite battle-tested mentally, internally, and chemistry-wise.
While then head coach Doc Rivers was at the helm the Clippers’ two superstars Kawhi and PG were treated with immense royalty in just year one. After the season ended it was leaked out about the turmoil brewed in the Clippers locker room throughout the regular season that eventually started boiling over in the bubble. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George who both at the time were often dinged up with minor injuries took advantage of so and decided if and when they wanted to play throughout the year. The final decision on the travel schedule was ultimately up to Kawhi and PG as well. Kawhi was granted permission to live from his house in San Diego and commute from there which often led to his tardiness when it came time for the team to travel. All of these things transpiring behind the scenes were just the early ingredients to a roller-coaster season for the Clippers. Upon arrival in Orlando for the NBA restart forward/center Montrezz Harrell was dealing with a death in the family. Prominent NBA sixth man Lou Williams then violated NBA’s initial COVID-19 guidelines attending the famous Atlanta nightclub Magic City. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were constantly in and out of the lineup throughout the season. Clippers made midseason acquisitions of Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris. Taking all that into account the Clippers never built the necessary camaraderie that was needed to make the deep title run that everyone anticipated. To really dive into why the Clippers struggled think about the number of games the Clippers playoff crunch time five played throughout the year. The number isn’t as selling as the pitch it took for Kawhi and PG to come to LA in the first place. The bubble will definitely be an outlier in NBA playoff history books, but it’s an infrequent occurrence for a super team to be put together in one offseason and expect to see a banner rise let alone a super team that didn’t build a foundation of chemistry throughout the year achieve those same goals.
Tyronn Lue has been surrounded by superstars majority of his NBA playing and coaching career. Lue was a defensive energy guy during his three-peat run alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. In 2001 Lue signed with the Washington Wizards led by the then declining Michael Jordan and spent a couple of years there where he became a regular at the guard in the nations’ capital. Lue also spent some time with the Tracy McGrady/Yao Rockets and ended his playing career as a member of the 2009 Orlando Magic NBA Finals team. Lue is now a respectable valuable head coach famously for winning his first NBA title as a head coach in 2016 for the Cleveland Cavaliers with Lebron James & Kyrie Irving. Lue thus far in both his playing and coaching careers has shared locker rooms with the biggest superstars and teams in recent history. This is why he was the perfect fit for the troublesome Clippers just based on a coach that can handle a variety of personalities and egos and demand the most out of his players when it matters most. Tyronn Lue is just one of the couple of reasons that the Clippers are currently 2nd in the Western Conference at 23-10.
When Kawhi Leonard and Paul George went to the Clippers in the 2019 offseason we imagined how dominant two of the NBA’s best two-way elite scorers in recent history would match up with the rest of the league. We heard comparisons of Michael Jordan/Scottie Pippen two way ceiling and how Kawhi and PG could duplicate the ability and production on both sides of the court. Though both Kawhi and George aren’t quite the same young athletic unicorns they were earlier in their illustrious careers they both still have the defensive intangibles and IQ to slow down the elite of the elite. Kawhi Leonard is currently averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists a night. Paul George is also averaging a smidge under 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Kawhi and PG have both been named to this year’s All-Star Game, Kawhi being voted in as a starter and PG as a reserve. Paul George to say the least is having a career year from an efficient production. PG is one of four players this season to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists while shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from the three-point line, and 85% from the free-throw line. (Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, & Zach Lavine). Taking it deeper into context, of those in NBA history to match those averages and shoot 45% from deep the list consists right now of George and Steph Curry who did so in 2016, his unanimous MVP year, George is currently shooting at a 48% clip. Even with the outstanding efficiency, PG has leaped his playmaking. George is posting a career-high in assists per game with 5.4 a night. George stands at 6’8/6’9, for someone at that height he possesses an elite smooth handle on the basketball. In contrast to Kawhi who has his preferable set spots on the floor mostly the intermediate-range around the elbow and on the block Paul George utilizes the whole floor in front of him. George has always been a natural playmaker but until this point, he’s always dealt with the burden of being the #1 option and the task of scoring the basketball. George has a surplus of dribble counters and a quick crossover so whether it’s pick and roll, isolation, or on the block whenever PG decides to create a shot for himself or others he has the selflessness and vision to find cutters, shooters all over the floor. As for Kawhi Leonard who was forced to orchestrate a lot of the offense in last years’ playoffs with Lou Williams and PG in a shell of themselves in the bubble. PG being able to really establish himself as a solid playmaker in the half-court taking that load off of Kawhi will only enhance this Clippers squad to climb a level come playoff time.
There are quite a couple of x-factors that are up in the air that may have a play in how far the Clippers will go in the postseason. If Patrick Beverley can remain healthy for a whole season and bring that extra defensive energy, grit, and swag to a Clippers team that’ll need it going forward then we can continue to visualize the NBA Finals aspirations that first arose when they first acquired Kawhi and PG. Clippers starring role players Serge Ibaka, Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Lou Williams, Luke Kennard, and Reggie Jackson are all players that make a big difference in a playoff series. Serge Ibaka possesses a championship pedigree and plenty of playoff experience. Ibaka playing the five and being a respectable threat from deep (34.9 3PT %) opens up the floor for other isolation scoring creators. Even at 31 years old Ibaka is still a fearless force in the paint and will challenge any shot in his direction. Marcus Morris is a scoring option with the second unit and brings toughness when he checks in. Lou Williams is one of the best 6th men to ever play the game. If Lou can turn back the clock to the Lou Williams that was a huge part of pushing the Warriors to six games in the 2019 Western Conference first-round then that’ll only make this team even more dangerous. Luke Kennard signed a hefty 4 year/$64 million contract this past offseason it’ll be seen if he can become a consistent on-ball presence on the offensive end and knock down perimeter shots when given the opportunity. Nicolas Batum, the do it all journeyman is a bigger x-factor than others believe. Batum can handle the ball, stretch the floor, guard positions 1-5, and brings veteran experience to a locker room that may not need it but will utilize it come playoff time. Batum certainly brings a new wrinkle on offense because when he’s in the middle of the floor-standing at 6’8 he can create plays for others and allow Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to focus on scoring the basketball. Batum is also an expert with defensive rotations which will only bolster an already juggernaut of a defensive team. Reggie Jackson is a much better option at point guard on the offensive end as opposed to Patrick Beverly and without a doubt can run the second unit creating for himself and others (Career 12.3 ppg, 4.3 apg). There are several ifs with the Clippers, but Tyronn Lue’s history with getting the most out of his players regardless of what cards he’s dealt and setting a cut clear hierarchy on the floor so everyone knows what their role is will have the Clippers in the running to be playing in June.
Nass’ All-Star nods (hypothetical 15 man roster)
East Starters
- Brooklyn Nets PG Kyrie Irving
- Washington Wizards SG Bradley Beal
- Brooklyn Nets SF Kevin Durant
- Milwaukee Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Philadelphia Sixers C Joel Embiid
East Reserves
- Brooklyn Nets G James Harden
- Boston Celtics SG Jaylen Brown
- Boston Celtics F Jayson Tatum
- Philadelphia Sixers PG Ben Simmons
- Indiana Pacers F Domantas Sabonis
- Chicago Bulls SG Zach Lavine
- New York Knicks F Julius Randle
- Orlando Magic F/C Nikola Vucevic
- Atlanta Hawks PG Trae Young
- Miami Heat G/F Jimmy Butler
Western Conference Starters
- Portland Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard
- Golden State Warriors PG Stephen Curry
- Los Angeles Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard
- Los Angeles Lakers SF Lebron James
- Denver Nuggets C Nikola Jokic
Western Conference Reserves
- Dallas Mavericks G Luka Doncic
- Phoenix Suns G Devin Booker
- Los Angeles Clippers G/F Paul George
- Los Angeles Lakers F/C Anthony Davis
- Utah Jazz G Donovan Mitchell
- Utah Jazz C Rudy Gobert
- New Orleans Pelicans F Zion Williamson
- Sacramento Kings PG De’Aaron Fox
- New Orleans Pelicans F Brandon Ingram
- Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul