So the Clippers, right? Man, don’t even try to tell them they did better than expected this season. I mean, everyone was predicting they’d barely make it into the playoffs in the tough Western Conference. Kawhi Leonard was dealing with a knee injury, and Paul George had bounced to the 76ers. But guess what? They ended up with a 50-32 record and snagged the fifth seed in the West. Talk about defying the odds.
But hold up, they’re not here for the whole “overachieving” label. Nope, not at all. They always saw themselves as more than what the critics said. They shut out all that noise about them finishing in the bottom half of the conference. And hey, they did become one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, holding opponents to just 108.2 points per game. Impressive, right?
But then they go and lose to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Ouch. Coach Tyronn Lue didn’t mince words after that devastating Game 7 loss. He was straight up pissed. And can you blame him? Losing in the playoffs is never easy, especially when you had higher expectations.
Now, some are wondering if the Clippers did more than they should have with George out and Leonard missing a chunk of games. Derrick Jones Jr., a top defender for the team, is quick to shut that down. According to him, they never doubted themselves from day one. It didn’t matter what the outsiders were saying. They fell short of their ultimate goal, plain and simple.
Leonard, who played in all seven playoff games, is looking ahead to the offseason. He’s just glad to be healthy and ready to start fresh. Lue is also optimistic about having him at full strength for the next season. And let’s not forget about James Harden, who had a solid regular season but tanked in Game 7. Tough break for the guy.
Norman Powell had a standout season, and he’s probably eyeing an extension. Ivica Zubac also showed why he’s one of the best centers in the league. These guys were key to the Clippers’ success during the regular season. But as Zubac puts it, they don’t play for the regular season. They play for the playoffs and the championship.
The offseason is looming, and decisions need to be made. Harden has a player option to consider, while Batum is on the fence about returning. The Clippers have some free agents to deal with, along with a draft pick and some room to improve the team. Leonard sums it up well: “Our goal isn’t just to get here.” Time to regroup and come back stronger next season.
And there you have it, folks. The Clippers may have fallen short, but they’re not about to dwell on what could have been. It’s all about looking ahead and striving for that ultimate goal. Let’s see what they can cook up for the next season.
