LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is once again showcasing his tactical versatility as he navigates through a season of substantial changes. With the departure of Paul George, the team faces a new set of challenges, but Lue remains undeterred. Instead, he is resolutely focused on harnessing the potential of his restructured roster.
A Changing Roster
The departure of Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212-million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, has left a significant void in the Clippers' lineup. George's impact on both ends of the court was undeniable. "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.
Lue, however, 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," he stated.
New Defensive Additions
To offset George's departure, the Clippers have acquired several strong defensive players, including Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. This strategic move aligns with Lue's background and expertise, especially given his recent role as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics.
"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 explained.
Adding depth to the coaching staff, Jeff Van Gundy has joined the Clippers as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator. Van Gundy's return to an NBA sideline marks his first in 17 years, adding another layer of experience to the team. "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move," said Mark Few, reflecting on the significance of adding Van Gundy to the coaching roster.
Preparing Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers’ new-look lineup will also see a significant boost from the return of Kawhi Leonard. Despite playing 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season, Leonard was sidelined by a late-season knee injury. However, Lue seems confident about Leonard’s return. "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 assured.
A Reimagined Strategy
Incorporating Van Gundy into the staff adds another tactical mind at Lue’s disposal. "He's like Russell Crowe in 'A Beautiful Mind,’" said Erik Spoelstra, highlighting Van Gundy's analytical approach to the game.
Lue, known for being a meticulous planner, explained the importance of this addition, "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. But we're going to play winning basketball and I know we're going to have a chance to be pretty good."
Known for his relentless preparation, Lue's commitment 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 shared.
A Focused Mission
With a determined outlook, Lue is poised to steer the Clippers through this transitional phase. "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 emphasized.
The Clippers face a formidable task ahead, but with Lue at the helm, reinforced by new talent on both the court and coaching staff, they are gearing up to tackle the upcoming season with renewed vigor and determination. As the team assembles for training camp, all eyes will be on how Lue and his reimagined roster sync together, ready to defy expectations and carve a path to success.