LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue is taking bold steps to reinvent his team amid a transformative period. With superstar Paul George's departure and new defensive acquisitions, Lue is reshaping his roster with a renewed strategy and a fresh approach.
Revamping the Roster
Following Paul George's move to the Philadelphia 76ers on a lucrative four-year, $212-million deal, many speculated the Clippers' competitiveness would wane. "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 remarked. However, he sees this as an opportunity 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."
To offset the loss, the Clippers acquired solid defensive players Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. Lue emphasized the importance of a collective effort following George's exit. "When you lose an important piece like Paul, you gotta do it by committee," he noted. "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."
Welcoming a New Defensive Leader
In a move aimed at bolstering their defense, the Clippers brought in Jeff Van Gundy as Lue's top assistant and defensive coordinator. This marks Van Gundy's return to an NBA sideline after 17 years. The collaboration is expected to be pivotal for the Clippers. "The addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us," Lue stated. "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."
Van Gundy's return has generated considerable excitement. As Gonzaga head coach Mark Few put it, "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move.” Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also praised Van Gundy, saying, "He's like Russell Crowe in 'A Beautiful Mind.’"
Leadership and Motivation
Lue's dedication to the game is unwavering, and his commitment to refining the Clippers' playstyle 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 about his relentless approach to the game.
Ty Lue's tenure as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics has further solidified his credentials and experience. This experience will be invaluable as he seeks to integrate Van Gundy's expertise into the Clippers' strategy. "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," Lue mentioned, emphasizing the teamwork needed to achieve their goals.
Looking Ahead
Kawhi Leonard’s status for the upcoming season has been a pressing concern after he was sidelined by a late-season knee injury during the 2023-24 campaign, having played in 68 of the first 74 games. However, Lue is optimistic 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 confirmed.
As the Clippers move forward into a new chapter, Ty Lue remains undeterred and focused on maintaining a winning culture. "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," Lue asserted with conviction.
In a season poised with uncertainties, one thing is clear: the Clippers, under the guidance of Ty Lue and Jeff Van Gundy, are preparing to face the challenges head-on, driven by a collective determination to redefine their future in the NBA.