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 12 months, 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 12 months although. Kawhi Leonard completed the season wholesome, and regarded 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 sure would have received Most Improved Participant honors if he didn’t miss time on account of a hamstring damage.
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 offer them extra scoring in Beal, and a secure floor-general in Paul.
Additionally they introduced in Brook Lopez to offer Zubac a real backup huge. Regardless of their previous age, the Clippers regarded 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 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 damage, and Beal was dominated out for the season on account of a fractured hip. Accidents have been a difficulty, however the on-court product has regarded something however promising.
By 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 taking part in quicker and quicker, isn’t the type you need.Â
Harden has been doing every little thing he can, averaging 26 factors per sport, six rebounds, and 9 assists. He’s getting little to no help 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. Whenever you watch LA play, they only look previous, and over-reliant on a 36-year previous 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 preserve 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 12 months to not have a first-round decide, particularly if you happen to 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.
