The LA Clippers experienced the loss of Paul George and Russell Westbrook this offseason. These two veteran players, despite showing potential, failed to give a team their championship in the past season. This was even in the presence of a possible superteam.
However, Clippers head coach Tyrone Lue remains optimistic about his team’s fate in the upcoming season. He made sure about this in a recent interview with ESPN. He called the people to never lose hope in the team despite losing, notably Paul George, known for his athleticism.
“When you lose a guy of Paul George’s stature, instantly people think, ‘Oh they can’t win or they’re not going to be competitive.'”
The Los Angeles-based team showed promise in the past season. After all, it is led by George and Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden. They had the potential to be a super team since they are packed with four of the NBA’s best players.
However, a criterion for a superteam is winning a league championship. Unfortunately, the Clippers had yet to achieve this. Leonard’s injury-related absence was enough for the team to make an early exit.
All that’s needed is the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem to expel Ty Lue’s team from the postseason. For the first time since two playoff showdowns, the Clippers horribly lost against Doncic’s team, which eventually became conference champions.
Despite a lousy playoff experience, Lue chooses to become steadfast. He seeks to take full advantage of his team’s remaining players. Recently, the two-time NBA champion even joined the coaching staff for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. He gained his first gold medal in the World Games.
The improvement in Kawhi Leonard’s recovery will also make Lue move forward in the upcoming season. The head coach ensures he’ll surprise all the team’s critics and haters by gaining more crucial wins.
A short delve into the LA Clippers’ roster for the next season.
The Clippers had established efforts to acquire new and retain existing players in the offseason. They re-signed James Harden on another two-year contract. The team plans to establish a new tandem focusing on Harden and Leonard, who will replace George.
The team acquired players from the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks. They also signed free agents Mo Bamba, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kevin Porter Jr. Existing players such as Ivica Zubac, P.J. Tucker, and Terance Mann are also to play.
With Lue’s statement, the Clippers will inevitably remain on the title hunt. However, it will come with uncertain challenges.
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