LA Clippers Restructure Under Ty Lue and New Leadership
In a dramatic overhaul, LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is reimagining and restructuring his team following significant changes to their roster. The departure of star player Paul George has been a seismic shift for the team.
George's exit to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $212-million deal has left a void that Lue is determined to fill. Reflecting on the loss, Lue commented, “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.” Yet, rather than seeing this as a setback, Lue embraces it as a challenge. “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.”
The Clippers have bolstered their defense by acquiring Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. Coupled with Lue’s strategic acumen, this new defensive backbone could reshape the Clippers' game style. “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. However, he remains optimistic, stating, “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.”
Adding to the new dynamic is Jeff Van Gundy, who has joined the Clippers as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator. This marks Van Gundy's return to an NBA sideline for the first time in 17 years. His addition has been met with enthusiasm from within the team. Lue expressed his confidence in Van Gundy’s impact, “The addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us. It's going to take both of us to really get our guys on track.”
This isn't the first time Lue has tapped into Van Gundy's defensive prowess. Prior to his Clippers role, Lue served as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics. The collaboration was evidently successful, paving the way for their current professional reunion. Mark Few, an eminent basketball coach, praised the move, stating, "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move.”
Meanwhile, Clippers' standout Kawhi Leonard's promising return promises to add another layer of strength to the team. Leonard, who played 68 out of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season before being sidelined by a late-season knee injury, is expected to be fit for the upcoming training camp. Lue reassured fans, “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.”
The Lakers' head coach also shed light on Leonard's dedication and focus, drawing a vivid analogy. "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." Even Erik Spoelstra, another esteemed coach, chimed in with his admiration for Lue, likening him to Russell Crowe in 'A Beautiful Mind.'
As the Clippers gear up for the next season, Lue’s focus is clear and unwavering. “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.”
This new phase in the Clippers’ journey is marked by both challenge and opportunity. With a recalibrated roster, proven leadership, and unwavering belief in their potential, the Clippers aim to turn skepticism into triumph on the court. “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," Lue affirmed.
This season, the spotlight will undoubtedly shine brightly on the Clippers, and if history is any guide, Ty Lue and his restructured team are more than ready to rise to the occasion.