LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is in the midst of reimagining and restructuring his team following significant changes in their roster. The departure of star player Paul George has certainly shifted the dynamics within the Clippers' camp. This has prompted Lue to take an innovative approach, bolstered by the addition of new defensive players and coaching staff.
Paul George, who has now joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $212-million deal, was a crucial player for the Clippers. As Ty Lue put it, “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.” However, Lue finds motivation in such challenges and remains determined to prove doubters wrong. “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 said.
The Clippers have made strategic acquisitions to fill the void left by George. Defensive stalwarts Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn have all joined the squad. Acknowledging the tough road ahead, Lue noted, “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.”
Adding to the Clippers' coaching arsenal is Jeff Van Gundy, who has joined as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator. Van Gundy's return to an NBA sidelines marks his first in 17 years, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to Lue's coaching strategy. Lue, who himself served as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics, expressed enthusiasm about Van Gundy’s involvement. “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,” he stated.
Van Gundy's influence is expected to be immediately felt. Erik Spoelstra’s praise indicates the impact Van Gundy has on a team. “He's like Russell Crowe in 'A Beautiful Mind’,” Spoelstra remarked, underscoring Van Gundy's keen tactical acumen. Similarly, Mark Few noted Van Gundy’s assertive nature: “Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move.”
With Kawhi Leonard also a key player in the Clippers' rebuild, his health status is critical. Leonard played 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season but was sidelined by a late-season knee injury. There’s a ray of optimism around his return, as Lue affirmed, “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's commitment to transforming the team is apparent. He’s taken a hands-on approach, often diving deep into game analysis and strategy. “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 mentioned, highlighting his meticulous nature and dedication.
Ty Lue’s vision is clear, and his confidence in the restructured Clippers is 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,” he declared. As the Clippers gear up for the upcoming season, the new blend of talent and experience aims to propel them to success, defying any skepticism surrounding the team's potential without Paul George.