Kawhi Leonard missed the entire last season and with that, the Clippers’ season was quickly compromised. If we add the fact that Paul George only played 31 games, the Clippers did not have their two best players available for most of the season even though they did their best to remain competitive.
Still, Tyronn Lue did a good coaching job: the Clippers were #7 on defense despite being without their two best wing defenders, but the lack of talent on offense was too much to overcome. Even though they had the second best 3pts% in the league, the Clippers were too one-dimensional as they didn’t attempt enough shots at the rim, they were poor at generating free throws and they didn’t crash the glass either.
In the play-in tournament, the Clippers lost both games first against Minnesota and then against New Orleans. As it has been usual in this franchise, their defeat against the Pelicans was in dramatic fashion as they got outscored by 17-31 in the 4Q and lost the game by 4 points.
2022/23 Outlook:
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are back to being healthy and with that, the Clippers are primed to be a contending team once again. Their roster is loaded with versatile players who can switch positions on offense and defense. Their idea is to use a spread out offense that can also switch on defense: a formula that has been working for some teams in the postseason. Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington and Terance Mann are all good fits for this style and the Clippers have then good depth for when they will have to do some load management with George and Leonard during the regular season.
The most interesting position in the team will be PG. Reggie Jackson had a great 2020-21 season but when he had a bigger role on offense last season due to George’s and Leonard’s absences, his efficiency dropped: 39.2% FG and 32.6% 3pts. His usage will drop this season, so it will be interesting to check if he will be back to the level he showed two seasons ago. The Clippers also signed John Wall for this position. He hasn’t played a full schedule in three years and he isn’t a natural fit for a team that relies on outside shooting.
The Clippers were #2 and #4 on offense in the first two seasons of Leonard in LA (#24 last season with him injured), so we can expect them to be a top 10 offense again. As they were #7 on defense last season, they have a good shot of being a top 10 team in both offense and defense, making them an elite team.