The Los Angeles Clippers failed to rise to the occasion in the 2019/20 NBA season, failing to reach the Western Conference Finals. Doc Rivers paid the price for their underachievement as he was fired at the end of the campaign and replaced by Ty Lue.
Despite misfiring in the post-season, the Clippers signed Paul George to a huge contract extension. Securing the forward to a long-term deal set up the franchise for a run at the NBA crown for the near future with the 30-year-old alongside Kawhi Leonard on the court.
The Clippers had an opportunity to make a statement on the opening day of the 2020/21 NBA season against the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Lue’s men were nothing short of outstanding, taking control of the contest in the third quarter after the two sides exchanged blows in the first half. George and Leonard outduelled LeBron James and Anthony Davis to see the Clippers over the line in a 116-109 victory, which could set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
However, there is a cautionary element to the tale as they did beat the Lakers in the opening game of last term by a 10-point margin. The two sides split their four games over the course of the 2019/20 NBA season. Lue has to ensure that his opening term on the sideline in Los Angeles is about the ultimate goal of winning the NBA title rather than solely besting the Lakers.
Overcoming Failure
The Clippers should have competed in the Western Conference Finals season. The two Los Angeles teams were the best in the Conference over the course of the regular term, only for the Clippers to choke when it mattered the most. Rivers’ side barely squeezed past the Dallas Mavericks with an ailing Luka Doncic before surrendering 3-1 series lead to lose 4-3 to the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Semi-Finals. Rivers was the scapegoat for the defeat and there were few punches pulled by members of the roster after the fact.
George was critical of his former head coach, although the forward himself was largely to blame for their failure. The 30-year-old made only four of his 16 attempts in the decider against the Nuggets, scoring 10 points in the process. He was equally inefficient in game two, although he scored 22 points in the 110-101 defeat. Stronger performances in the clutch have to be a priority for George. He proved a point against the Lakers in the opener by scoring 33 points that he is ready to take on the mantle and justify his contract.
Paul George dropped 33 points (72 FG%) in his first game since signing a max extension with the Clippers. 🔥@LAClippers beat the Lakers 116-109 in the season opener.pic.twitter.com/OcoLqEusFQ
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) December 23, 2020
However, it needs to be the norm rather than the exception, ensuring that Leonard has the support in the post-season. It goes for the rest of the line-up as well. The Toronto Raptors proved that if Leonard is backed by his team-mates and not forced to carry the fight alone – he has the post-season magic to combat even the best of teams.
Winning The Western Conference
The Lakers were off the boil in the opener and the quick turnaround between the end of the last campaign and the start of the new term could be to blame. Lue’s men have the opportunity to capitalise, and they’re backed at odds of 7.00 with Betway to win the NBA Championship as of 30th December. However, the main task will be first to overhaul their rivals’ dominance of the Western Conference before taking the next step to the title.
The Lakers will not be going anywhere, even if they could be more vulnerable as LeBron begins to age. Whether the 36-year-old has one more surge deep into the post-season remains to be seen, although Davis alone is a formidable opponent. Frank Vogel and his team will no doubt be a potent foe throughout the term.
Even without the Lakers, there are a number of teams on the rise. The Mavericks have already borne their teeth once to defeat the Clippers in a dominant performance. Doncic is the most exciting young player in the NBA and he will have Dallas competing in the playoffs once again. The Golden State Warriors are on the way back with Steph Curry fit again, while the Denver Nuggets have the young talent to show that their run to the Westerns Conference Finals was no fluke.
The challenge will be a tough one for the Clippers. They’ve made an encouraging start, but the proof of their championship credentials will lay in the crux moments of games between now and the end of the campaign.
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