Last season was tumultuous for Clippers fans. With Kawhi Leonard out for the whole season, and Paul George absent from December to March, Tyronn Lue, had to do DIY for most of the season. At the time of PG13’s injury, the Clippers had a 12-12 record. In the absence of the two stars, it was first Reggie Jackson who took matters into his own hands, with nearly 17 points and 5 average assists, despite declining percentages (39.2% shooting).
But it is above all the tireless collective of the Clippers that allows them to keep their heads above water, and to stay at the level of the play-in. Their recipe: a big defense (8th defensive net rating of the league), thanks in particular to the versatility and size of the workforce, and an ability to score thanks to many players who can place an offensive card. Jackson, Terrance Mann, Nicolas Batum or Amir Coffey have each distinguished themselves at least once with a performance exceeding 30 points. The Clippers also impressed with their away address – the 3rd best in the league – like Luke Kennard who posted an insolent success of 44.9% three points. In February, Clippers further strengthened their depth by transferring Eric Bledsoe et Justice Winslowwho have never really convinced, for Norman Powell et Robert Convington. Both players immediately impressed on both ends, blending in perfectly with the collective. The former has luxury lieutenant stats (21.4 points and 2.8 assists), while Robert Covington has seemed to be back to being an elite 3&D.
With the relentless efforts of this resourceful troop, and the return of Paul Goerge at the end of March, the Clippers finish in eighth place. They will however be outclassed by the Timberwolves of Anthony Edwards (30 points) and D’Angelo Russell (29 points) although they managed to thwart Karl Anthony Towns (11 points and went out for 5 faults). Alas, Paul George missed the second qualifying game against the young New Orleans Pelicans, who took the upper hand late in the game.
- OFF-SEASON MOVEMENTS
Draft : Moussa Diabat (Michigan)
Arrives : John Wall (Houston), Moses Brown (Cleveland),
Dparts : Rodney Hood, Isiah Hartenstein, Jay Scrubb
Leaders: Reggie Jackson, John Wall, Xavier Moon, Jason Preston
back: Paul George, Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Amir Coffrey, Brandon Boston Jr.
Wingers : Kawhi Leaonard, Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum
Power wingers: Marcus Morris, Robert Covington
Pivots: Ivica Zubac, Moses Brown, Moussa Diabat
PG: John Wall, SG: Paul George, SF: Kawhi Leonard, PF: Marcus Morris, C: Ivica Zubac
It slams! three players all star (remains to see the current level of Wall), and two confirmed players to replace them. At present, the places of holders on positions 2 to 5 are fixed for the season, said Tyronn Lue recently. The question of the playmaker is still pending. It will depend on John Wall’s physical level, but also on his complementarity with Kawhi and PG13, a point on which Reggie Jackson has a small head start. So far, Wall and Jackson have each started a preseason game as starters. But regardless of the player chosen, the Clipps’ five majors are undoubtedly one of the most complete in the league, both offensively and defensively. External address, playmaking, defence, scale… that’s enough to give opposing coaches headaches.
But what’s most impressive about these 2022-23 Clippers is their squad depth. Reggie Jackson (if John Wall is preferred to him as incumbent), Nicolas Batum, Norman Powell, Terance Mann, Robert Covington, Amri Coffrey, Luke Kennard… So many names that can easily take over from the incumbents. Steve Balmer’s franchise has a large number of versatile players who can occupy positions 2 to 4, even play pivots in lineups small-ball (Batum, Covington) of which Tyronn Lue is fond. Norman Powell and Terrance Mann in particular will have the opportunity to shine with the second unit, after having shown more than interesting promises last season. At the end of the bench, the young Moses Brown (2m18, 22 years old) could point the tip of his nose. He who is the only real pivot behind Zubac, he could provide an alternative to the traditional small ball of the Clippers. French Moussa Diabat should meanwhile develop quietly in the G-league.
For the first time since 2015, the president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank decided not to trade draft day. He recently announced that he was “delighted” to have favored continuity with this more than complete workforce. Understandable choice given the depth and versatility of this squad!
- PLAYER TO WATCH: KAWHI LEONARD
He is the one everyone is waiting for. Just before his injury in the spring of 2021, Kawhi Leonard was playing one of the most dominant basketballs of his career: 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals, with a 57.3% success rate during the 2021 playoffs. After missing almost a year and a half of competition, the big question will be to know what physical level Kawhi will repress the floors. Can he avoid injury? Will he be able to play more than 30 minutes per game without load management ? Impossible to know at the moment, but his teammates and his front office are serene, confident that “the Claw” was at his best in training, and that he worked so much at the gym that the franchise was “struggling to pay the electric bills”!
One of the strongest squads in the league From the major five to the bench, the Clippers have an endless variety of options on both ends of the court. Tyronn Lue will have a host of 3&D experts and players capable of creating their own shoot. Moreover, if the playmaking could have been a weakness in past years (the Clippers finished 17th in team assist last year) the acquisition of John Wall may finally give the Clippers a passer and bring more order to the team’s possessions. The team seems ready for any challenge.
The return of the Leonard-George duo: Few teams can claim to have two players of this caliber in their squad. On evenings or roles players won’t be able to make the difference, don’t panic, when you can just defend and watch both all star chain the baskets.
The risk of injury… : It’s the eternal risk with this Clippers team. The physical condition of Leonard, George and Wall will be closely monitored by the franchise medical staff. A point of optimism however: the depth of the bench of the Clipps can allow them to easily rest their stars.
The pivot position: Zubac… and after? : the Clippers like to play in small ball, and do it well, the image of the defense in play-in against Karl Anthony Towns. Only, against heavier pivots like Jokic or Embiid, their lack of the pivot position could prove to be annoying. To see if Moses Brown can impose itself as a viable solution.
The Clippers have everything to aim for the title. The league’s GMs recently named them the third most likely team to be champions this year. The only remaining doubts concern the level of John Wall, and the health of Kawhi and Paul George. But if these three ls return to their best level, sky is the limit.
With previsional : 55-27.