Why The Clippers Will Be Different This Season
- Updated: October 12, 2017
With the ever exciting preseason matchup between the Clippers and Sacramento Kings on in the background, now seems as good a time as ever to sit down and talk about what this team has to offer in the 2017-18 season.
The Clippers seem to be rounding into shape and after a few preseason games, it’s much easier to tell where this team’s strengths and even some weaknesses lie. And while this is the magical time of the year where every team and fanbase believes they have a chance to dethrone the Golden State Warriors atop basketballs elite, this seems a more apt time to discuss the positives heading into the new year. We can talk about the Warriors when we get there because right now that’s a bit overwhelming.
But first, let’s get talking about why this Clippers team will be different this season.
“Fun”
Simple enough, right? While Chris Paul will undoubtedly find himself in the hall of fame one day, there was something about him that never seemed to fit with this team. His intensity was over the top at times, to say the least and it seemed to stop this team from just having fun and playing ball. In the small sample size, we’ve seen this preseason enjoyment seems to be at a premium for both the fans and players. Guys like Lou Williams, Patrick Beverly, Danilo Gallinari and new fan favorite Milos Teodosic have been adding to that excitement.
Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
There seems to be renewed life in the players that have been around a while too. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have taken the wheel and the team seems to be excited to have those two in the role. Griffin especially has the skillset to lead the team with his scoring range stretching out to the three-point line and his passing ability being as strong as ever, he’s dangerous on the offensive end. The energy Blake brings to this team can be contagious and if this group picks up on it other teams in the west will definitely take notice.
Before wrapping up the fun, I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t mention Austin Rivers getting an extended role this season. Rivers has been a feisty bench player for the Clippers in recent years and his playoff heroics have made him guy fans love to see succeed and get more minutes. When Rivers is on the court he brings a scoring punch to the offense and intensity to the defense that is just plain exciting to watch.
“The Best Rookie Point Guard In LA”
This isn’t a dig at Lakers fans, I’m serious. I’m a die-hard UCLA basketball fan and watched every game Lonzo Ball played in a Bruins uniform. I know how great of a ball-player that guy can be and how he can drastically change a team. But Milos Teodosic is better right now. Again, not saying this to just get under Lakers fans’ skin.
Teodosic is 30 years old and is a strong contender for rookie of the year, as the former Euroleague MVP has never played a minute in the NBA before this season. Is it really that crazy to think a 30-year-old with Olympic experi
ence is more talented than the 19-year-old the Lakers drafted this offseason? Well, let’s start with this. One guy has the weight of a team on his back and while he carried that weight fine at UCLA, it’s a whole new level when you’re carrying the second most successful franchise in the NBA. Teodosic, on the other hand, is likely going to be coming off the bench and spreading the ball around as much as possible to scorers like Gallinari, Griffin, and Williams.
Teodosic has already made some passes in the preseason that have left the Clipper faithful in disbelief with the skill involved. His shooting is far more advanced than I think even Doc Rivers expected as Rivers has stated his surprise multiple times this preseason and defensively the Serbian appears to be solid.
No pressure Milos, but you’re my pick for rookie of the year. Don’t let me down.
“Not Championship Contenders”
Admit it. When Chris Paul left you wondered whether this team would even make the playoffs anytime soon, let alone compete for a championship. The majority of the media has been approaching this team with that same mindset. In previous years if Los Angeles didn’t finish in the top 4 seeds in the Western Conference it was a disappointment. This season some have been wondering whether this team can make the playoffs at all.
Let’s call it what it is. This is a playoff team. But a top 4 seed in the ultra-competitive West, maybe not. Flying under the radar though isn’t necessarily the worst thing. The last few years this Clippers team has gotten the opponents best every time they step on the floor. While that competitiveness can make the team better, we’ve seen it wear this team out and lead to a horrifying number of injuries as the season goes on and eventually lead to playoff burnouts of epic proportions.
I’m not saying this team can’t compete for a championship. I just don’t see the downside in this group being overlooked at this point in the season.
Wrapping it up
This isn’t going to be the same team Clipper fans have gotten used to recently. You can’t expect 50 wins just because we’re the Clippers and I wouldn’t suggest laying down your paycheck on this team taking down the Warriors dynasty this season. But it will be a hell of a good time watching them play. And who knows, maybe they’ll surprise us. It is preseason after all, no reason to dash your hopes just yet.
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