2019–2020 NBA Season Previews: Los Angeles Clippers
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Last Season: 48–34, 8th in Western Conference
Projected Starters:
- PG: Patrick Beverley
- SG: Paul George
- SF: Kawhi Leonard
- PF: JaMychal Green
- C: Ivica Zubac
Additions: Amir Coffey (R), Paul George, Moe Harkless, Mfiondu Kabengele (R), Kawhi Leonard, Terance Mann (R), Patrick Patterson, Derrick Walton.
Losses: Wilson Chandler, Angel Delgado, Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Garrett Temple, Sindarius Thornwell, Tyrone Wallace.
One year ago, the Los Angeles Clippers were a team full of role playing veterans that had a slight chance to make the playoffs. Now, the Clippers now have two of the top 10 players in the NBA and are in prime position for a championship. They say a lot can change in a year, and no words can describe the Clippers transition from the 2018–19 season to now better.
Led by Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell, the Clippers shocked a lot of people last season by winning 48 games and grabbing the eighth and final playoff spot in Western Conference. The underdog Clippers didn’t stop there, however, as they gave the top seeded Golden State Warriors a run for their money in the first round. While the Clippers were ultimately dispatched in six games, they managed to gain the attention of a big time free agent by the name of Kawhi Leonard.
Unless you were living under the rock this past summer, you probably saw Kawhi Leonard free agency rumors flying left and right. Given that Leonard has always been quiet, doesn’t dabble in social media, and didn’t give many hints on his intentions, it seemed every reporter was racing to leak information and be the first to break where would sign. After all the speculation and waiting, Leonard decided to leave the team he helped bring a championship to in Toronto to head closer to home in L.A. The 2019 Finals MVP ditched the Lakers to have his own team on the other side of the Staples Center in a move that sent shock waves throughout the NBA.
But Steve Ballmer, Jerry West, Doc Rivers and Lawrence Frank didn’t stop there.
According to multiple reports, Leonard had already spoken to another star player before free agency by the name of Paul George about playing together. Leonard reportedly would not play for the Clippers if they did not improve and sign another star player, which led to another blockbuster deal taking place. After requesting a trade to his agent and the Thunder, Paul George was dealt to the Clippers in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Gallinari and a whopping five first-round draft picks.
When the dust had finally settled, the Clippers came out on top, for now, as winners of the off-season. The blueprint that the Clippers front office had laid down two years ago was completed. An organization long known for its dysfunction is now in a great position to win its first championship.
After helping the Toronto Raptors win their first NBA championship in franchise history, Kawhi Leonard will look to help another franchise do the same this year. The “Board Man” averaged 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and is truly one of the most gifted players on the planet. He is a top-tier scorer, knockdown shooter, and one of the best defenders on the planet. Leonard was even better in the playoffs last year, as he averaged 30.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while posting an impressive 61.9% True Shooting percentage. Simply put it, in his lone year in Toronto, Leonard had the most accomplished season of any Raptor ever.
Next to Leonard at the other forward spot will be Paul George, who arrived in LA after one of the more unexpected trades of the summer. After all seemed well in Oklahoma City and just one year after signing a contract extension with the Thunder, George demanded a trade to the Clippers and was granted his wish. George is fresh off his best season in the NBA, as he averaged 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game. George received serious MVP looks and finished third in the final voting behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden.
George will team up with Leonard and Patrick Beverley to form one of the scariest defensive trios in recent memory. The three players have combined to make 11 All-Defensive teams, and Leonard has won two Defensive Player of the Year awards on his own. The Clippers also have plenty of offensive firepower outside of this trio as well, including sharpshooting guards Lou Williams and Landry Shamet and big man Montrezl Harrell.
Looking at the rest of the Clipper starting lineup outside of George and Leonard, Patrick Beverley is back to spearhead the Clipper defense. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now in Oklahoma City, Beverley is now the clear cut starting point guard for Los Angeles. Beverley, nicknamed “Mr. 94 Feet,” is one of the toughest and most physical defenders in the league. Beverley uses his antics, aggressive attitude and savvy tactics to disrupt the other team’s best scorer, as that is who Beverley normally volunteers to guard.
Offensively, while his shooting percentages are not encouraging, Beverley is still more than capable of knocking down 3’s. He managed a 39.7% clip from 3-point range this past season on 3.6 attempts per game, a percentage that ranks well above the league average and is good for the second-highest mark of his career. Given that Leonard and George are now in the lineup, Beverley will have even less pressure to score now.
The other guard in the starting lineup for the Clippers is Landry Shamet , who was acquired by the Clippers in a trade for Tobias Harris. Shamet is a lights-out shooter who shot 45% from 3-point range in his first 25 games with the Clippers. Given how much attention George and Leonard are bound to get, Shamet should get more open looks next season. He is still a work in progress on the defense, as he ranks in the eighth percentile in isolation defense. Regardless of his defensive deficiencies, Shamet is still an elite shooter who reminds me a lot of J.J. Redick.
Rounding out the starting lineup for the Clippers is Ivica Zubac, who was traded from the Lakers to the Clippers last season. While Zubac was mostly overshadowed by Montrezl Harrell last season, Zubac still has big expectations coming into the season. The 22-year-old posted averages of 9.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game with the Clippers last season, as he was effective yet inconsistent as the starting center. The Clippers felt faithful in Zubac, as they signed him to a four-year, $28 million contract this past off-season. The 7-footer was not healthy last season last year, as it will be interesting to see how much production he can put forth now that his finger has healed.
While the Clippers boast one of the better starting lineups in the NBA, they also have three players coming off the bench who could start in just about any NBA lineup. Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams and Maurice Harkless will be the first ones off the bench for the Clippers, as each player who bring a unique skillset to the table.
The 2018–19 season was a phenomenal one for Montrzel Harrell, who put together by far his best season as a pro. Harrell finished third in the Sixth Man of the Year voting and averaged 16.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in the regular season. Harrell then proceeded to up his game even further in the playoffs, as he posted a statline of 18.3 points per game on 73% shooting while still grabbing 5.5 rebounds and dishing out 2.2 assists per contest. Not to mention, Harrell was guarded by Draymond Green throughout the series. If a player of Green’s defensive caliber is showing you respect, you’re doing something right.
Harrell isn’t the greatest defender or rim protector in the world, but he did block 1.3 shots per game last year. Harrell isn’t known for his defense, but his heart and hustle allow him to get rebounds and help the Clippers push in transition. “Trez” won’twin any awards for defense, but should still have a positive impact on that end.
And then there’s his offense…
The scariest part of Harrell’s offensive game is the fact that he was so dominant without having a jumpshot. Of the 1,361 points he scored during the regular season last year, only nine of them were from deep. If Harrell can add a jumpshot to his already dominant post game, he could easily average 20 to 22 points a night.
Speaking of players who can drop 20 a night, that’s exactly what Lou Williams did last season for the Clippers. At this point, we all know who Lou Williams is: a gifted scorer who can put up points in a hurry and carry a team offensively for spurts. “Sweet Lou” has a knack for hitting tough shots, has an impressive mid-range game and shows great instincts as a passer when defenses close in on him. While his lack of size hurts him on defense, his offensive repertoire more than makes up for his lack of defending ability. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year should have some friendly competition with Harrell for the award, as the guard-big duo should continue to provide a major spark offensively foe the Clippers second unit.
Even though he was essentially an afterthought in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Miami, Moe Harkless should play a major role for the Clippers. The former first-round pick out of St. John’s provides the Clippers with yet another good defender. I’ve already mentioned how scary the Beverley-George-Leonard trio would be on defense, and it would only get worse for opposing offenses if Harkless is added to the mix. Last season, opponents shot 1.9% worse on plays where Harkless was the primary defender. Offensively, Harkless won’t provide much outside of an occasional basket at the rim, as he’s just a 32.3% shooter from the outside for his career. Harkless should provide good depth to the second unit and should give this team some much needed depth at the forward positions.
X-Factor: Montrezl Harrell
Montrezl Harrell has the ability to take himself to the next level and become an offensive star this year as well. The former Louisville big man has been working hard in the off-season on his jumper and free throws as he tries to expand his offensive skillset. If Harrell polishes those areas of his game, then opposing big men are in for a rude awakening.
Questions:
Are the Clippers the best team in the Western Conference?
Unlike last season, the Clippers have heavy expectations coming into this season. There really aren’t any glaring weaknesses on this roster, as they are solid on both ends of the floor from top to bottom. They have two superstars and some of the best role players in the NBA who can shoot, rebound and defend. Anything less than a championship would be a disappointment for this team.
Do the Clippers finally take over Los Angeles this season?
It’s no secret that the Clippers have always been the little brother to the Lakers in the City of Angels. While the Clippers have been on the upswing in the last decade, they are still a franchise that has a reputation of losing. After all, this is a team that has yet to make it to a Conference Finals.
After years of coming close in the Lob City era, now may finally be the time for the Clippers to emerge as the top dogs of not just LA, but the entire league. It won’t be easy given the Lakers and the top of the Western Conference will be elite, but this Clippers team is also the most talented squad the franchise has ever had.
Verdict:
The Clippers were the biggest winners of arguably the craziest off-season in NBA history, and with the Western Conference now wide open, the Clips have as great a shot as ever at taking the throne. I have the Clippers winning 54 to 58 games next season and making to the Conference Finals at minimum.
