LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is embarking on a significant transformation of his team, necessitated by notable changes in their roster. Following the departure of star player Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers on a lucrative four-year, $212-million deal, Lue faces the challenging task of reimagining and restructuring his squad.
New Additions and Defensive Focus
In response to losing George, the Clippers have shored up their defensive capabilities by acquiring Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. This move aligns well with Lue’s recent experience as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics, highlighting his commitment to building a defensively robust team.
Adding to this defensive shift, Jeff Van Gundy has joined the Clippers as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator, marking his return to the NBA sidelines for the first time in 17 years. The former head coach’s arrival is expected to bolster the Clippers’ strategic depth. "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move," remarked Mark Few, underlining the significance of Van Gundy’s addition to the team’s coaching staff.
Challenges and Motivation
Lue is fully aware of the skepticism surrounding the Clippers' potential following the loss of George. "When you lose a guy of Paul George's stature, instantly people [think], oh, they can't win or they're not going to be competitive," he acknowledged. However, Lue is using this skepticism as fuel. "That just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don't think we're going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]. I can't wait to prove everybody wrong," he added.
The coach emphasized the need for a collective effort to compensate for George's absence. "When you lose an important piece like Paul, you gotta do it by committee. He's a very huge defensive player for us, handling the ball, scoring the basketball, making plays. So, losing him is going to be tough," Lue admitted. But he remains optimistic, highlighting the team's young talent and new defensive alignment as key factors that will drive their success.
Kawhi Leonard’s Resilience
Another critical element in the Clippers' upcoming season is the health of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard played 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season but was sidelined by a late-season knee injury. Despite this setback, Lue is confident about Leonard's readiness for the upcoming challenges. "I speak to him all the time. He'll be ready for [Clippers'] training camp. He's feeling good, and I know he'll be ready," Lue assured.
Strategic Shifts and Future Outlook
The Clippers' strategy will undoubtedly evolve with their new lineup. "That's what we need. Losing PG, starting over with a younger team and doing things the right way — it's going to take both of us to really get our guys on track. The addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us. The pieces that we added this year, we gotta play a different style. But we're going to play winning basketball and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good," Lue stated.
Lue's commitment to “playing winning basketball” is evident in all his remarks. He stresses the importance of adapting to the roster changes while maintaining a competitive edge. "We're going to play winning basketball, and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good. It's going to be my job to make sure we get to that point — whatever I have to do," he declared, showcasing his determination to guide the Clippers to success despite the offseason upheaval.
In essence, the Clippers' upcoming season will be a fascinating narrative of adaptation, strategic evolution, and the relentless pursuit of proving doubters wrong. Under Ty Lue's resilient leadership and with the expertise of Jeff Van Gundy, the Clippers are poised to tackle the challenges head-on, striving to redefine their standing in the highly competitive NBA landscape.