Last summer during the bubble, the Los Angeles Clippers suffered one of the most shameful collapses in playoff history. Not only did they explode a 3-1 lead for the Denver Nuggets in the runoff series, but they also gave up a double-digit lead in each of the final three games.
In the off-season, they responded by separating from Doc Rivers and hiring Ty Lue as their new coach, and adding Serge Ibaka, Luke Kennard and Nic Batum. These changes did not fix the root of the Clippers’ problems, however. At least not yet. On Friday night, they split in the second half against the Golden State Warriors, giving up a 22-point lead before losing by 10.
After the game, Kawhi Leonard told reporters that the Clippers “have to change.” He declined to elaborate and did not say what kind of internal discussions they had. “I’m not going to tell you what we’re doing in the locker room,” said Leonard. “It’s locker room talk.”
Paul George repeated his teammate “We have to be better,” said George. All of us included. This was a loss of team, more than anything. We just have to improve. Let’s work on it … We just have to dig deep. That’s what it comes down to: we just have to go deep as a group and just rely on the defense of our team to help each other. “
Since the beginning of last season, the Clippers have reached eight leaders of at least 15 points, the highest in the championship in that period.
Talent in LA is not in question. Leonard and George are players of the All-NBA caliber and have a strong support cast led by Ibaka, Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams. As a result, they will be a really good team and, even after losing to the Warriors, they are sitting 6-4, just one game behind the top spot in the Western Conference.
But winning titles is not just a matter of talent, as the Clippers found out very well last season. A certain combination of resistance and unity and a willingness to respond and overcome adversity is needed. Team chemistry, if you want. And so far, the Clippers have not found the right combination.