Los Angeles Clippers
The 2022-23 Los Angeles Clippers can be defined by more Kawhi and PG injuries and another early playoff exit.
What did we learn?
In four years with Kawhi and PG, the Clippers have had one playoff run with both healthy and on the court the entire time.
That one playoff run was the Bubble where the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in embarrassing fashion.
Kawhi and PG were back and forth with the missed games all season long. We never knew who has going to be available and playing for the Clippers. It was so bad that head coach Ty Lue didn’t even know.
No matter how deep of a team you are, you have to get your reps in to build chemistry and familiarization. And you have to have your stars to reach your highest potential. It has been damn near impossible to do with this Clippers team. The worst part is that we know this is a good team when actually healthy.
Paul George was an All-Star this season. (A questionable selection, sure, but an All-Star nonetheless.) PG played 25 more games than last season, averaging his usual 24-6-5. But he didn’t play a game after March 21, out with a knee sprain.
Kawhi was eased back into playing time this season at a snail’s pace, cautionary measures after his torn ACL. He played in just five of the first 24 games. But then he got going and looked like the same Robot Kawhi of old. In the 16 games that Kawhi scored 30+ points, the Clippers went 13-3.
And then in the first round against the Suns, Kawhi tore his meniscus and did not play after Game 2.
Norm Powell missed chunks of the season as well, 10 straight games in Dec. and 11 straight in March, but he looked like a potential 6th Man of the Year when playing and averaging 17 points off the bench.
The Clips brought in Russ who was actually helpful and a contributing player. He led the Clippers in assists in four of their five playoff games. He also had games where he led the team in points and rebounds.
It was wild to see the Clippers running out lineups with Russ, Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee in the playoffs, all of whom just got to LA.
The Clippers did at least get a game on the Suns, but they did not stand a chance without PG or Kawhi in the playoffs.
Trading SGA and the farm for PG and Kawhi is a move you have to do, but it’s one now that completely stings.
Expectations were so sky-high four years ago, but now they are bleak.
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Additional Notes
Terance Mann not getting consistent minutes was frustrating. The Clips traded Luke Kennard which depleted their 3-point shooting. The Clippers’ best 3-man lineup last season was with T-Mann, Kennard and Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Marcus Morris contract is a tough look. $16 million a year for his fewest points per game (11.2) since 2014-14 when he was on the Suns.
The John Wall experiment did NOT work. Offseason acquisition Bones Hyland was also buried on the bench.
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Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
The depth here is just too strong. Over 52.5 wins.
Clippers 2022-23 record: (44-38)
Nope. Turns out that the depth was not nearly strong enough.
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What’s Next?
The Clippers actually do have a first-round pick! The last one at No. 30.
This roster returns 13 players. The free agents are Westbrook and Plumlee.
Per Bobby Marks, “The Clippers are over the tax for the fourth straight season, making them a repeater tax team. With $202 million in salary, including Eric Gordon's $20.9 million non-guaranteed contract, LA is projected to pay a $175 million penalty.” *whistles loudly*
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Favorite Clippers Highlights of the 2022-23 Season:
The Return of Power Dunk City. Coming Soon.
