The LA Clippers have retooled, and are ready for another shot at the NSL title this coming season.  Not much has changed with regards to the records, and optimism the team has been rumored to have regarding their shot at making some noise in this years playoff�s.  They do, after all have one of the top players in all of the NSL, Giannis Antetokounmpo returning for another season in Los Angeles, and hope to get some more development from the younger players drafted in recent seasons.  More on that later, let�s jump right into the players the LA Clippers saw off in the off-season.

 

Departures:

• Mo Wagner
• Stanley Johnson
• Dennis Smith Jr.
• Ryan Arcidiacono

So the Clippers lost Mo Wagner and a bunch of throw-aways.  No offense to the other players listed but they aren�t exactly needle pushes with regards to the league.  Wagner however played a large part in the Clippers game plans last season, as he brought down 8.8 RPG�s, 1.2 SPG, 1.2 BPG�s , and over 10 points.  He was the teams swing starter and definite 6^th man, and he was a valuable piece to be able to play next to both Giannis and Sabonis and he provided range and rebounds to allow for additional spacing/playmaking from his front court mates. His production and basically his production alone will be missed from the 2020-2021 LA Clippers squad.

 

Additions:

• Trey Murphy
• Luka Garza
• Korey Kispert
• Usman Garuba

Now, you can�t necessarily say the Clippers will be better from the tip this year based on departures additions alone, but you can say, they certainly got younger and packed more potential into their roster spots.  Hell, if Garza can reach close to his ceiling, in a few years he should be able to replace much of what Wagner brought to the team last season.  In Kispert and Murphy they have two guys who can already fill up the cup from deep, and Murphy�s length and athleticism make for an enticing 3 and D prospect.  Garuba is less known to me personally, but I am familiar with those high on his potential and have heard he has hardly yet scratched what he could be. 

 

Development:

This was always going to be the key phase for this Clippers team who have 3 of the young brought stars in the NLL.  If they could all reach their potential this was always going to be a team to look out for.  We�ll break the young guys down one by one to look in depth at their development over the last season.  Anyone not stated in the article has either reached their potential, or doesn�t factor into the teams future plans, at least with regards to the author�s opinions.

 

PG: Collin Sexton

Sexton is a polarizing figure around the league.  Some question whether he has reached his ceiling as a some-what inefficient volume-scorer who needs the ball in his hands to succeed.  Some question Sexton�s style of play, and whether it might be conducive to winning.  All we do know, is that kid can score, and he can do it in bunches.  He leaves some to be desired on the defensive end, but when pairing his physical traits with his scoring it�s hard not to be excited about what could be.  His greatest area of improvement to me over the last year has been his interior scoring where he has proven he can score down low with anyone.  If he can add to his shot and defense to stretch the D, it should allow Giannis to keep defenses honest and not be able to double while he occupies his favorite spots on the floor.

 

SG: RJ Barrett

I think RJ really surprised a lot of people with his deep range shooting last season�except for Ronnie 2k.  Someone explain to me how RJ shot over 40% from deep last season, and still only has a B+ from 3.  For comparison, there are guys who shot 35% from deep last year with A-, so riddle me that.  Anyways, RJ has not yet reached what his perceived ceiling is, but he is rounding his game out nicely.  The Clipper�s don�t really need it, but the next level would be to increase his secondary playmaking abilities to allow Sexton to come off the ball, and Giannis a breather when need be.  2k do better!

C: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is Giannis, we all know the Greek Freak by now, so I won�t spend too much time.  If he can ever develop a 3 that ends up as just a B+ in 2k, he will be in my opinion, easily the greatest video game player ever created.  IF�key word.  He�s so big and fast, you can�t contain him on the boards, it is a surprise to me he hasn�t been surrounded by more shooters with his prowess on the offensive boards.  There is however plenty of playmaking and defense!

PF: Domantas Sabonis

It�s hard not to love Sabonis old school/new school blend of game.  He can pass, shoot, finish down low with some throwback post moves, and even defend a bit.  You have to love his fit next to Giannis with supreme ball movement and without the immense need for defense.  Sabonis is about where Giannis is at with regards to development, near the apex of their games, so if the Clips are to take a step forward it will be via un-expected leap by one of these two, or a boost from Sexton, RJ, or one of the recently drafted guys.

 

 

 

PF: Isiah Roby

Huge jump in Roby�s 2k ratings from this season to last and it is well deserved.  The Clips have replaced the bench shooting/scoring, but will badly need Roby to step up on defense and rebounding to stabilize the loss of Wagner�s prescience.  Though he has developed, the Clips will hope it is just the beginning as the team journeys to the upper echelon of the Western Conference.

 

The Clip�s are poised for another season with some high expectations.  The pressure is always on when you have one of the game�s best players suiting up for you, and Giannis fit�s the bill.  On paper this team can stack up with many of the league�s elite both in the short term, but especially in the long term.  These pre-season predictions should only get more fun for the GM of the Clippers to read as the season�s go by.