LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is undertaking a significant transformation of his team amid a turbulent offseason. The departure of star player Paul George has left a substantial void, prompting Lue to reimagine and restructure the Clippers' approach.
Reshaping the Roster
Paul George, a pivotal figure in the Clippers' lineup, has signed a lucrative four-year, $212-million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Losing a player of George's caliber is a considerable setback, but Lue is embracing the challenge head-on. "When you lose a guy of Paul George's stature, instantly people [think] oh, they can't win or they're not going to be competitive," Lue remarked. "That just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don't think we're going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]. I can't wait to prove everybody wrong."
Lue candidly acknowledged the difficulty of moving forward without George. "When you lose an important piece like Paul, you gotta do it by committee. He's a very huge defensive player for us, handling the ball, scoring the basketball, making plays. So losing him is going to be tough."
Strategic Acquisitions
To compensate for George's absence, the Clippers have made strategic acquisitions to bolster their defense, signing Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. "The pieces that we added this year, we gotta play a different style," Lue stated. "But we're going to play winning basketball and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good."
Ty Lue’s recent stint as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics has seemingly influenced his current approach. His expertise is further fortified by the addition of Jeff Van Gundy, who joins the Clippers as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator. This marks Van Gundy's return to the NBA sidelines after 17 years. According to Gonzaga head coach Mark Few, "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move." Meanwhile, Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra described Van Gundy's acumen: "He's like Russell Crowe in 'A Beautiful Mind.’”
The Kawhi Leonard Factor
Another critical piece of the Clippers' puzzle is the health and readiness of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard had a strong start to the 2023-24 season, playing 68 of the first 74 games before a late-season knee injury sidelined him. Lue is optimistic about Leonard's return. "I speak to him all the time," Lue said. "He'll be ready for [Clippers] training camp. He's feeling good, and I know he'll be ready."
A New Defensive Outlook
The integration of these new defensive assets, alongside the strategic brainpower of Van Gundy, could redefine the Clippers' identity. Lue is enthusiastic about the collaborative effort required in the wake of George's departure. "That's what we need. Losing PG, starting over with a younger team and doing things the right way — it's going to take both of us to really get our guys on track. The addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us."
Ty Lue’s commitment to extracting the best from his revamped squad is evident. "He's a basketball film rat. He's calling me, asking me questions, offensively, defensively, all the different things about game 17 [of last season]. I don't remember that s---. But he's locked into all that."
Lue’s focus is unequivocal: "We're going to play winning basketball, and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good. It's going to be my job to make sure we get to that point — whatever I have to do."
As the Clippers prepare for the upcoming season, the journey under Ty Lue’s guidance promises to be a riveting narrative of adaptation and ambition. With the departure of a key player, the integration of new talents, and the addition of a defensive mind like Van Gundy, the team is poised to redefine its path. Only time will tell if Lue's strategic vision will propel the Clippers to new heights.