LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is taking bold steps to reshape his team after a transformative offseason. The Clippers entered a new era with the departure of star player Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212-million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. In response, Lue is steering the franchise into a phase defined by defensive prowess and strategic collaboration.
Roster Changes and New Acquisitions
With George no longer in the picture, Lue has focused on enhancing the Clippers' defensive identity. The team welcomed Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn, all known for their defensive capabilities. These acquisitions reflect a clear shift towards a more resilient defensive structure.
Lue's recent role as Team USA's defensive coordinator in the Olympics has further honed his strategic approach. He has expressed confidence that these new additions will help fill the void left by 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," Lue acknowledged.
New Leadership: Jeff Van Gundy's Return
Complementing these roster changes is the return of Jeff Van Gundy to the NBA sidelines. Van Gundy joins the Clippers as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator, marking his first NBA coaching role in 17 years. The veteran coach's defensive acumen promises to be a valuable asset for the Clippers as they adapt to their new lineup.
Lue is enthusiastic about Van Gundy's appointment. "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move," noted Mark Few, echoing the sentiment of many within the organization. Together, Van Gundy and Lue are poised to forge a formidable coaching tandem.
Shifting Team Dynamics
For Lue, the challenge of proving his team’s potential without George is invigorating. "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 said. "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."
To achieve this, Lue understands the importance of collective effort and strategic planning. "The addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us," he stated. "The pieces that we added this year, we got to play a different style. But we're going to play winning basketball and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good."
Kawhi Leonard's Return
The Clippers' aspirations are further bolstered by the anticipated return of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, who played 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season, was sidelined by a late-season knee injury. However, Lue is optimistic about his star player's readiness for the upcoming season. "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 Lue and Van Gundy chart a new course for the Clippers, the team stands at a crossroads. With a revamped roster and renewed defensive focus, the Clippers are gearing up to defy expectations. "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," Lue declared.
The upcoming season promises to be a testament to Lue's strategic ingenuity and the Clippers' resilience. Under his guidance, the team aims to transform adversity into an opportunity for success, driven by a blend of experienced leadership and new defensive talent.