The Los Angeles Clippers misplaced within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs, and their path transferring ahead has been outlined.
The Los Angeles Clippers, after being anticipated by some to win solely 30 video games this season, cruised to a 50-32 season however finally misplaced to the Denver Nuggets within the first spherical of the postseason.
Different groups who misplaced within the first spherical, just like the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks, are anticipated to discover rebuilding choices, though the Clippers appear pleased with their core.
Each James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, when wholesome, are All-Star caliber gamers, and Regular Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Kris Dunn all had the most effective seasons of their careers.
Regardless of the mannequin different groups might observe, the Clippers have a transparent path.
Leonard, Powell, Zubac, Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Derrick Jones Jr. are all underneath contract for subsequent season, and each Harden and Nicolas Batum are anticipated to opt-in to the ultimate years on their contracts.
With 50 wins underneath their belt regardless of Leonard not beginning his season till January, Los Angeles is nice sufficient to compete within the loaded Western Convention. Nothing is predicted to alter subsequent season.
“It appears clear that the subsequent stage, at the very least within the quick time period, will probably be centered round Harden and Leonard,” reported The Athletic’s Legislation Murray.
“The Clippers are under the collective bargaining settlement’s first-apron threshold and intend to stay versatile with an eye fixed towards the subsequent two off-seasons, in accordance with league sources. The primary domino towards that’s what occurs with Harden, who has a participant possibility value $36.4 million for subsequent season.”
Harden has ties to the LA neighborhood and has made it clear that he needs to retire as a Clipper.
“To at the very least start subsequent season, the Clippers seem like in a spot of stability with the rotation of a group that shocked many by attending to 50 wins,” Murray continued.
“Stability” is usually missed within the NBA (see the Phoenix Suns), however the Clippers, underneath Tyronn Lue, have purpose to be trustworthy that they will enhance subsequent yr.
All through latest seasons, the Clippers have been outlined by damage. Neither Paul George nor Leonard had been capable of string collectively wholesome postseasons, and by the point the playoffs rolled round, their greatest gamers couldn’t be counted on.
This season, their greatest gamers had been obtainable and had been enjoying at a excessive stage.
| Participant | PPG (Playoff PPG) | RPG (Playoff RPG) | APG (Playoff APG) | FG% (Playoff FG%) | 3PT% (Playoff 3PT%) |
| Kawhi Leonard | 21.5 (25.0) | 5.9 (7.6) | 3.1 (4.7) | 49.8% (57.3%) | 41.1% (40.5%) |
| James Harden | 22.8 (18.7) | 5.8 (5.4) | 8.7 (9.1) | 41.0% (43.6%) | 35.2% (36.4%) |
| Ivica Zubac | 16.8 (17.4) | 12.6 (10.1) | 2.7 (2.3) | 68.2% (65.9%) | N/A (N/A) |
| Norman Powell | 21.8 (16.0) | 3.2 (2.4) | 2.1 (2.4) | 48.4% (47.2%) | 41.8% (35.0%) |
| Bogdan Bogdanović | 11.4 (6.4) | 3.1 (2.9) | 3.2 (2.1) | 47.4% (36.4) | 42.7% (29.2) |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | 10.1 (7.3) | 3.4 (1.9) | 0.8 (0.4) | 52.6% (43.8%) | 35.6% (30.0%) |
| Kris Dunn | 6.4 (6.3) | 3.4 (3.4) | 2.8 (1.3) | 43.9% (38.6%) | 33.5% (35.7%) |
That presents fairly a dilemma. In previous seasons, followers and the entrance workplace might justify any shortcomings by lowering the whole lot right down to accidents. This season, they had been good and wholesome, however they simply weren’t ok.
Granted, they did lose in seven video games, however they had been up 2-1 by three video games towards the Nuggets. Leonard’s possibilities of successful a 3rd title in his third metropolis look pretty much as good as ever after this season, however that may not be saying a lot.
