The Los Angeles Clippers apprehensively watched Chris Paul take his talents to Houston in a trade which saw the all-star guard team up with James Harden and Mike D’Antoni.
This signalled an abrupt end to an era characterised by the famous ‘lob city’ name and, depending on who you asked, put the Clippers out of the playoff conversation in the Western Conference.
But all is well in L.A. Aside from the Lakers slowly returning to relevance (it didn’t take long), the Clippers had an effective offseason despite losing one of the NBA’s premier point guards.
Key losses
Along with Paul, the Clippers said goodbye to the sharp-shooting J.J Reddick, who is a career 42 per cent three point shooter. Reddick spent four seasons with the Clippers, and became famous (or infamous, depends how you look at it), for his first and third-quarter scoring. He scored 9.4 of his 15 points in the first and third quarters.
Along with Reddick, Luc Mbah a Moute, Marreese Speights and Raymond Felton exited. Mbah a Moute was a starter for 76 regular season games in the 2016-17 season, and 61 the season prior. The Clippers will not regret his absence, however, as they have finally filled the small forward position with an elite player in Danilo Gallinari.
Known as a defensive specialist who possesses little-to-no offensive game, Mbah a Moute is a reliable veteran, but an upgrade was pivotal to Los Angeles’ offseason success.
Key additions
In the Paul-to-Houston trade, the Clippers acquired a plethora of players and picks. Most notably, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell will suit up in a Clippers uniform in the upcoming season.
Williams is an elite scorer off the bench, and a winner of the Sixth Man of the Year Award. While his defence is not terrific, the work he does at the offensive end more than covers it.
Patrick Beverley, however, will bring a defensive intensity to the team. Not opposed to getting in the grill of opposing guards, Beverley energises a second unit but has a solid offensive game to match. He is consistent from three point range and can run a pick-and-roll.
The Clippers projected starting point guard is Milos Teodosic, who was formerly regarded as the best basketball player in the world not in the NBA. Teodosic signed on a two-year deal worth $12.3 million, the second year a player option.
Teodosic is a flashy ball handler who will enjoy playing with the high-flying DeAndre Jordan, although, as is the case with Williams, is a liability on the defensive end of the court.
Perhaps the biggest addition for the Clippers this offseason is that of Danilo Gallinari, a career 15.3 point scorer. Gallinari provides L.A with floor spacing, a savvy offensive talent and a late-game closer, something the team relied far too heavily on Chris Paul to do over the past few seasons.
The only issue is his health, considering he has only played 70+ games in a season twice in his ten year career.
Projected line-ups
Starters: Milos Teodosic, Austin Rivers, Danilo Gallinari, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan
Bench: Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Willie Reed
Reserves: Jawun Evans, Sindarius Thornwell, DeAndre Liggins, Tyron Wallace, Jamil Wilson, Wesley Johnson, Brice Johnson
Verdict
Much has been made of the Clippers struggles over the past few seasons when Chris Paul has exited the game. Paul possessed the NBA’s second highest real plus/minus in the 2016-17 season, behind only LeBron James.
However, coach Doc Rivers is known for not staggering the minutes of his starters, meaning that when Paul is on the floor, so are Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Likewise, when Paul sits, so do Griffin and Jordan.
Because of this, the Clippers two most common line-ups when Paul was on the bench last season were Felton-Rivers-Crawford-Johnson-Speights and Felton-Rivers-Crawford-Bass-Speights, both recipes for disaster.
Because of this, the Clippers reliance on Paul was slightly exaggerated, and should Griffin remain healthy, L.A has the supporting cast on both ends of the court to be a good team this season.
Whether that translates to 42 wins or 51 depends on how long their chemistry takes to develop and the potency of the other teams in the west. Don’t be surprised to see them competing for a top-six seed, though.
astro
Guest
A "better version of Ricky Rubio"!?!? Really? All because of his passing ability? I'd take Rubio any day of the week. Rubio is an above average defender for his position, while Teodosic may as well not be out there on defense. Whatever Teodosic gives you on offense, he gives up on defense. Teodosic looks like an amazing passer, but Rubio isn't far behind. He averaged 9 assists a game last year. Rubio is also a proven NBA talent and is only 26yrs old. His best years could well be ahead of him. Teodosic is 30 and has played his entire career in Europe where they play fewer games at a slower pace. He'll play limited minutes for the Clips. Shooting is of course, Rubio's problem. He's one of the worst shooters in NBA history, while Teodosic looks like he has decent shooting numbers. But Rubio's shooting improved last year, and maybe (just maybe), he wont be a complete disaster shooting the ball for the Jazz. But even with his poor shooting, I'm taking Rubio.
astro
Guest
I think the Clips will drop out of the playoffs this year. The top 4 in the West are set, and I have Denver, Utah and Minny making it. That leaves the Clips fighting for 8th with Portland, the Pelicans and Sac. And I have Portland winning from those teams and making the playoffs, mainly as they'll have a full year of Nurkic. For the Clips, there are too many questions. First - health. Gallo and Griffin are their key offensive players and neither can stay on the court. Second - offense. Griffin is their only real offensive threat in terms of someone who can make their own shot. The back court of Beverley and Rivers are very limited. Neither can really penetrate and finish near the basket and neither are great passers. Teodosic will struggle defensively and what he gives the Clips in nice passing, he'll give up at the other end as every PG in the league blows past him. Third - chemistry. The majority of the team is new. Beyond DJ, Blake and Rivers, the roster is brand new and it will take time for them to play well together. This team was built around CP3 and he made everything tick along very nicely. Without him, there have to be question marks around how well this team will click. The DJ and Blake combo has never really worked perfectly, even with Paul, so without him, it might be tricky.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
Yeah for sure, I'm interested to see how OKC works together with the nature of their stars being ball dominant players. I think they have a good mix though, with Roberson, Patterson, Grant etc they have a good mix of defence, athleticism and offense. Minny should be pretty good, although their three stars are all iso players too, which could be interesting how they play together.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Teodosic and Rubio aren't even in the same conversation. Teodosic should kill it in LA. The other team I forgot about this morning are OKC. Timberwolves aren't looking bad either. It's one hell of a loaded western conference.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
I agree on Teodosic. He strikes me as a better version of Ricky Rubio, and he'll love playing with Blake and DJ. It's interesting with the Spurs. From what we've seen they match up extremely well with GS, but the sample size is too small to know for sure. I think over seven games the Warriors firepower would prove too much for them. As for Houston, I like their chances. Harden and CP should be fit and fresh come playoffs, something both have struggled with over their careers. If they get into a good flow, they'll be hard to stop. As you say though, it's hard not to go with the Warriors out west.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Milos Teodosic is something special and more than capable of replacing their big loss of Paul, but I just can't see the Clippers doing all that well in a tough Western Conference again. They will make the playoffs for sure, but it's a three-horse race for mine with Golden State paying about $1.01. Houston and San Antonio are the teams behind them, although the Rockets' defence concerns me.