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 sport seven.
There have been positives that got here out of the yr although. Kawhi Leonard completed the season wholesome, and appeared like his outdated self within the playoffs.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 certain would have received Most Improved Participant honors if he didn’t miss time on account of a hamstring harm.
The group’s supporting solid of Ivica Zubac, Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn all contributed. The Clippers simply wanted to proceed to spherical out their supporting solid. They traded away Powell to get John Collins to bolster their frontcourt. They signed Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul in free company to present them extra scoring in Beal, and a steady floor-general in Paul.
Additionally they introduced in Brook Lopez to present Zubac a real backup massive. Regardless of their outdated age, the Clippers appeared like they might nonetheless be a significant participant within the West. To begin the season, that has not been the case.
The Clippers have been an absolute catastrophe to this point
LA is at the moment 4-10, and in eleventh place within the Western Convention. Leonard has already missed eight video games on account of an ankle harm, and Beal was dominated out for the season on account of a fractured hip. Accidents have been a problem, however the on-court product has appeared something however promising.
By means of 14 video games, the Clippers are twenty first in offensive ranking, twenty fifth in defensive ranking, and twenty second in general web ranking. They play on the second slowest tempo, which in a league that’s taking part in sooner and sooner, is just not the type you need.
Harden has been doing every thing he can, averaging 26 factors per sport, six rebounds, and 9 assists. He’s getting little to no assist from his supporting solid. Zubac is averaging 16 PPG, and 11 rebounds, however Collins, Lopez, Bogdanovic, and Nic Batum are giving little to no offensive or defensive manufacturing. If you watch LA play, they only look outdated, and over-reliant on a 36-year outdated James Harden.
It may go from dangerous to worse shortly for the Clippers
L.A. can’t even tank as a result of OKC owns their choose because of the Paul George commerce. If issues hold going the way in which they’re, that choose may find yourself being within the lottery. In a stacked draft class, this isn’t the yr to not have a first-round choose, 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 will 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.
