The Los Angeles Clippers got here into this season trying 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 previous 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 damage.
The staff’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.
In addition they introduced in Brook Lopez to provide Zubac a real backup huge. Regardless of their previous age, the Clippers seemed like they might nonetheless be a serious participant within the West. To begin the season, that has not been the case.
The Clippers have been an absolute catastrophe up to now
LA is at present 4-10, and in eleventh place within the Western Convention. Leonard has already missed eight video games on account of an ankle damage, 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 seemed something however promising.
By way of 14 video games, the Clippers are twenty first in offensive ranking, twenty fifth in defensive ranking, and twenty second in general internet ranking. They play on the second slowest tempo, which in a league that’s enjoying sooner and sooner, will not be the fashion you need.
Harden has been doing every thing he can, averaging 26 factors per recreation, six rebounds, and 9 assists. He’s getting little to no help 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. While you watch LA play, they only look previous, and over-reliant on a 36-year previous James Harden.
It might go from dangerous to worse rapidly for the Clippers
L.A. can’t even tank as a result of OKC owns their choose due to the Paul George commerce. If issues maintain going the way in which they’re, that choose might 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’ll get Leonard again wholesome, something is feasible for them. Sadly, that’s not a assure, and LA may very well be staring down the barrel of a nightmare season.
