The Clippers’ model new enviornment, the Intuit Dome, opened this week. They have been hoping that by the point the constructing was prepared, they’d have a title in hand or at the very least a championship-caliber membership to entertain their followers.
These plans haven’t panned out. They’ve been bounced within the opening spherical of the playoffs the previous two seasons and misplaced considered one of their superstars in free company this offseason.
Paul George‘s departure to Philadelphia left the Clippers scrambling to piece collectively a contending membership. The entrance workplace didn’t substitute George with one other star participant.
As a substitute, they signed a youthful ahead in Derrick Jones Jr., who has been utilized primarily as a defensive stopper since he entered the league in 2016. Jones appeared in 76 regular-season video games, together with 66 begins, for Dallas final season. Nonetheless, he was an afterthought on the offensive finish, making an attempt solely 6.5 photographs per sport in 23.5 minutes. His modest 8.6 scoring common was nonetheless a profession finest, primarily as a result of truth he bought extra taking part in time than in any earlier season.
Kawhi Leonard‘s three-year extension kicks on this season however there are main questions concerning his long-term well being. He handled proper knee irritation late within the common season and missed 4 of the Clippers’ playoff video games in opposition to Dallas. Leonard was changed on the Workforce USA roster simply previous to the Olympics attributable to lingering considerations about his knee.
The crew’s different star, James Harden, was retained on a two-year deal. Harden averaged 16.6 factors final season, his lowest determine since he was a sixth man with Oklahoma Metropolis early in his profession. He’ll most likely need to take an even bigger scoring load to make up for the lack of George.
Los Angeles added some veteran frontcourt depth by signing Mohamed Bamba and Nicolas Batum. In addition they acquired Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade to fortify the backcourt.
Their most eye-opening transfer was signing Kevin Porter Jr. in free company. The gifted however troubled younger guard could possibly be a dealing with a league suspension over his previous home incidents. He often is the crew’s most vital addition if all goes effectively — in his final season with Houston, he averaged 19.2 factors and 5.7 assists.
That brings us to our subject of the day: The place you’re feeling the Clippers rank within the Western Convention? Can they nonetheless be thought-about a playoff crew or do you’re feeling they may find yourself on the skin wanting in?
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