Los Angeles Clippers
The 2019-2020 Los Angeles Clippers season can be defined by the fact that they blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
What did we learn?
The Clippers C H O K E D.
Some people don’t want to say it. Or they are afraid to say it. But it’s true.
It’s one thing to be up 3 games to 1 and then the better team finally gets going. But it’s another thing to have big leads in each of the elimination games and then melt away. And it’s another thing entirely to GIVE UP in a Game 7 which is precisely what the Clippers did. It was a complete and total embarrassment.
Team chemistry and locker room togetherness are soo imperative in the NBA. There is a reason why Bill Simmons magnum opus The Book of Basketball focuses on this being the secret to winning basketball.
As they often are in hindsight, the tea leaves were there. On January 4th, Trez straight up told us that the Clippers were not a great team. “We’re not a great team. That’s one thing that I think y’all need to get out y’all’s minds. We’re not a great team.” That was literally the quote. Then came The Athletic report a few weeks later about the Clippers chemistry issues and turmoil behind the scenes that were further brought to light after their shocking loss in the second round.
On January 24th, the day after The Athletic’s hit piece, Kawhi said in the immediate on-court post-game interview after a 5-point win over the Heat in Miami without Paul George: “I don’t even know the outside noise. I block it out. It doesn’t matter.” Well, it might not matter to Kawhi, but it sure matters to others. Kawhi’s reputation as a difficult teammate grows. (Can you imagine if this shit came out about LeBron? He would absolutely be roasted over the flames.)
Pat Bev and Paul George laughed at Dame for missing those free throws, but the world got the last laugh at the Clippers once again. The Clippers carried themselves like they had already won something and the fact remains that the franchise has still never made it to the Western Conference Finals.
Playoff P became Pandemic P or Wayoff P. Take your pick. Paul George said after losing Game 7 to the Nuggets that he didn’t view this season as a must-win. Now THAT is a big part of the problem. Channeling our inner Herm Edwards here, “You PLAY to WIN the GAME.” The Clippers were literally the title favorites and PG had previously said they were automatically Championship contenders. Turns out, they were just pretenders.
But let it fuel your fire and come back stronger than ever.
The Lakers (and Nuggets!) will be waiting.
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What are the answers to our Season Preview Final Questions?
How long will it take Paul George to fully recover from his shoulder surgeries?
PG missed the first 11 games of the season and another 8-game stretch in January.
What does Load Management look like for Kawhi in the 2019-2020 season?
Kawhi played 57 out of 72 total games. The Clippers posted a 41-16 record with The Board man in the lineup. The Clippers were 8-7 without him.
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Would our preseason Over/Under prediction have hit?
If the Clippers are smart, which we sure think they are, they will take the regular season with a grain of salt.
The Clippers should put all of their stock into their run through the West playoffs and quest for the franchise’s first Finals appearance and first Larry OB. UNDER 54.5 wins. (66.4% winning pct)
Clippers 2019-2020 final record: (49-23) 68% winning pct
Our preseason Over/Under prediction would have been super close. With 10 games left, the Clippers would have needed to win 6 of those games.
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What’s Next?
Doc is OUT. Ty Lue is IN. Is that really moving the needle?
There is going to be even more noise now.
The Clippers are at a crossroads and have to find the right playoff rotation of guys that can actually stay on the court.
This team apparently still needs a leader or for Kawhi to step up in that regard.
Trez is a free agent. We are of the mind that you have to keep the heart and soul of the 2018-2019 Clippers around even if Trez was ironically the one who ultimately cost Doc his job in the end.
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Favorite Clippers Highlight from the 2019-2020 Season:
Kawhi toying with Waiters. Fun Guy!
