Last Seasons Record – 42-40
This Seasons Record – 37-45
Boy oh boy. I have no idea what to think when it comes to the Clippers for this upcoming season. Lob City is officially dead, and we are seriously so far from gone when it comes to the Clippers of old. Where is this team going? What is this teams future? I can’t really answer these questions, but I’m going to try. I was never fully on board with Lob City, in fact, I thought it was a tad overrated. They have some pieces on this roster don’t get me wrong. But in a stacked Western Conference I’m just not sure where this team fits in. Near the bottom, or right smack dab in the middle.
Key Additions and Subtractions
This is a brand new Clippers team. No longer that Father/Son duo. Yes, Austin Rivers is out of LA, and he has a new home in Washington. Now Doc can hopefully get back to just coaching and not having to worry about his kid. I know they are both professionals, but still, this could be a good thing for the organization. In return, they got Marcin Gortat, the polish hammer. The Clippers were busy in the offseason, and they wanted to land Kawhi Leonard, but that ultimately did not happen. They lost DeAndre Jordan to the Mavericks after a few years of that whole debacle in the summer not so long ago. They replace him with Luc Mbah a Moute, a key piece from the Rockets, who should help the Clippers defensively.
Year Long Question – Do the Clippers tank?
Listen, I know the Clippers have a ton of players and will be competitive all year long. But with no clear-cut future, what are they playing for this year? I think with some big-time college players entering the NBA draft in 2019, maybe it’s time for the Clippers to tank and snag themselves a future star. I know fans probably don’t want to hear this, and maybe the organization doesn’t want to admit it, but the Clippers aren’t really known as a free agent destination. I know it’s LA, but there happens to be another team in LA, with a certain King on their roster right now. So by tanking they can guarantee themselves a potential top 3-5 pick. Trading some of these pieces and clearing some cap space is probably the best move to make from the front office.
Fan Mindset.
Like I mentioned there are two teams in the city of LA. One team is one of the most prestigious sports organizations in the world, the other is well, the Clippers. Fans and even players will have to look over all year at those Lakers, and well they will be having so much fun all year long. Media will be covering the Lakers so hardcore this year, people might actually forget the Clippers also play in the same building. Don’t get to discourage though, because you’re still living in LA, and could win a bunch of games this season. It just sucks that LeBron is playing in the same city, and all eyes will be on the Lakers from start to finish. So yeah, this scene sums up the Clippers mindset for the upcoming NBA season.
Bold Prediction, Sponsored By Nate – Doc Rivers gets fired
So the Rivers son has left the building, and I believe his father could be close behind. I have no idea how this season is going to pan out, and if fans are restless and Steve Ballmer wants a change, I think he will go ahead and fired Doc. He’s had plenty of time to make a run at it, and the Clippers could be in serious need of a culture change. The Raptors just finished as the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and they fired their head coach. A change of culture or a reset button is sometimes the answer. If the Clippers have just a horrendous season, Doc could be unemployed by 2019.
