The LA Clippers have plenty to like on paper heading into the season. Barring another trade, the roster has star power, shooting, size around the rim, and enough depth to survive at almost every spot.
But there’s a problem sitting in plain sight that doesn’t seem to be getting enough attention: physicality.
Rebounding gets most of the heat, and for good reason. Still, the bigger issue may be that too few Clippers can consistently bring strength and edge to the floor and turn it into an advantage for the team. That kind of toughness can shape a game long before the box score tells the story.
Last season, Kawhi Leonard and Bennedict Mathurin were the examples of that approach. Over the summer, the front office moved on from both.
At the moment, the list of Clippers who really stand out in this area is short. Kris Dunn, Brook Lopez, and maybe Derrick Jones Jr. are the main names who bring that kind of physical presence. They can do more than just create for themselves; they can play through contact and make life harder for opponents.
Even there, only Lopez is projected to start, which adds another layer to the concern.
The bigger issue is how often the Clippers are expected to lean on Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, Keaton Wagler, Max Strus, and Rui Hachimura, players who, in this setup, are viewed as offering a softer style than LA needs.
That won’t be a problem every night. Some opponents won’t be able to push them around, and the Clippers will be able to get to their spots and defend the way they usually do. But against teams that lean into physical play, the question becomes unavoidable: what do the Clippers do then?
According to this view, the answer is nothing.
And that’s what makes it such a dangerous weakness. There are too many teams built to bring that kind of pressure, and if the Clippers are serious about making the playoffs, this could become a major issue there too. If it isn’t addressed soon, it could be the thing that ends their run early.
The front office still has time before the season begins, and this is a flaw worth trying to fix before it turns into a bigger problem.
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Harrell also made clear he still sees that moment as part of the reason his Clippers tenure ended the way it did. Instead of returning, he moved on in free agency and eventually left the NBA altogether, though he is now reportedly exploring a comeback through the G League. For the Clippers, it is another glimpse at how much the 2020 season still echoes through the franchise, especially when former players are still connecting present-day decisions to what happened in Orlando. [Read more 🡒]