LA Clippers Pivot Post-Paul George Era
The LA Clippers are in the midst of a significant transformation under the guidance of head coach Ty Lue. Following the departure of Paul George, who secured a four-year, $212-million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, Lue is focused on reimagining and restructuring his team.
New Faces on the Roster
This off-season, the Clippers have bolstered their defensive capabilities by acquiring Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. These players are expected to fill the void left by George, a critical defensive and offensive asset for the team. Ty Lue has emphasized the importance of collective effort in compensating for George's absence, stating, “When you lose an important piece like Paul, you got to do it by committee. He's a very huge defensive player for us, handling the ball, scoring the basketball, making plays. So losing him is going to be tough.”
Coaching Reinforcements
The Clippers also made significant changes to their coaching staff, notably adding Jeff Van Gundy as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator. This marks Van Gundy's return to an NBA sideline for the first time in 17 years. His arrival is seen as a strategic move to fortify the team's defensive strategies, a domain Lue is familiar with given his recent role as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics.
Lue appreciates Van Gundy's frankness and basketball expertise. As Gonzaga's Mark Few remarked, "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move.” Lue himself acknowledged Van Gundy's value, commenting, “That’s what we need. Losing PG, starting over with a younger team and doing things the right way — it’s going to take both of us to really get our guys on track. The addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us.”
Filling the Leadership Void
Despite the challenges, Lue remains optimistic. His competitive spirit was palpable as he addressed skepticism surrounding the team’s prospects. “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. That just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don’t think we’re going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]. I can’t wait to prove everybody wrong.”
Kawhi Leonard's Resilience
Integral to the Clippers' hopes is star player Kawhi Leonard. After playing 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season, Leonard was sidelined by a late-season knee injury. However, Ty Lue has reassured fans and analysts alike that Leonard will be ready for the Clippers' training camp. “I speak to him all the time. He’ll be ready for [Clippers] training camp. He's feeling good and I know he'll be ready,” Lue confirmed.
A New Chapter Beckons
With a restructured roster and fortified coaching team, the Clippers are gearing up for an intriguing season. The infusion of new talent, coupled with seasoned strategic minds on the bench, sets the stage for a potentially captivating narrative in the NBA.
Ty Lue, channeling his inner Russell Crowe in ‘A Beautiful Mind,’ remains laser-focused on unlocking the Clippers’ potential. “He’s a basketball film rat. He’s calling me, asking me questions, offensively, defensively, all the different things about game 17 [of last season]. I don’t remember that s---. But he’s locked into all that,” Lue shared. His dedication and preparedness embody a commitment to making the Clippers a formidable force in the league.
Ultimately, Lue's vision is clear: “We’re going to play winning basketball, and I know we’re going to have a chance to be pretty good. It’s going to be my job to make sure we get to that point — whatever I have to do.” As the Clippers embark on this new chapter, Lue's resolve and strategic acumen will be pivotal in shaping their path forward.