Clippers' Transformation Under Ty Lue: New Faces, Renewed Focus
LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is once again demonstrating his visionary approach, making significant changes in the wake of a tumultuous off-season. Following the departure of Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers on a massive four-year, $212-million deal, Lue faces a significant challenge. However, he remains undeterred and motivated to prove skeptics wrong.
“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 acknowledged. But he views this as an opportunity rather than a setback. “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.”
The Clippers have acquired a trio of defensive stalwarts: Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. This infusion of defensive talent represents a bold step toward reestablishing the team’s defensive identity, an area Lue is intimately familiar with, having served as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics.
Lue isn't undertaking this transformation alone. Veteran coach Jeff Van Gundy has joined the Clippers as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator, marking his return to an NBA sideline after a 17-year hiatus. “Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move,” remarked Mark Few, underscoring Van Gundy's assertive style and defensive expertise.
Lue's respect for Van Gundy 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 said, highlighting Van Gundy's meticulous preparation and knowledge. This partnership promises to inject fresh dynamism into the Clippers' coaching strategies.
The Clippers face the dual challenge of integrating new players and adapting to a playing style without George. “When you lose an important piece like Paul, you gotta do it by committee,” Lue noted. He emphasized the need for a collective effort: “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.”
Lue is embracing the challenge of starting anew. “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. The pieces that we added this year, we got to play a different style,” he asserted. “But we're going to play winning basketball and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good.”
While George's departure is significant, the team is also focused on the recovery of star player Kawhi Leonard, who played 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season but was sidelined by a late-season knee injury. Lue's confidence in Leonard's return is unwavering. “I speak to him all the time. He'll be ready for [Clippers] training camp. He's feeling good and I know he'll be ready,” Lue confirmed.
As the Clippers prepare for the upcoming season, Lue's commitment to success remains undiminished. “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,” he vowed.
The Clippers’ upcoming season is set to be one of adaptation and evolution, guided by Lue's innovative leadership and a fortified defensive strategy. With new faces on the roster and seasoned expertise on the coaching bench, the Clippers are poised for an intriguing journey ahead.