LA Clippers' head coach Ty Lue is navigating significant changes as he reimagines and restructures his team for the upcoming season. With the departure of key player Paul George, Lue is left with the challenging task of rebuilding his squad while maintaining their competitive edge in the league.
Major Changes on the Roster
The Clippers have bid farewell to Paul George, who has joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a lucrative four-year, $212 million deal. This departure has left a significant gap in the team's defensive and offensive lineup. Addressing this change, Lue emphasized the importance of a collective effort to fill George's shoes. "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. “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."
In response to George's departure, the Clippers have acquired defensive players Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. Lue believes these additions will help the team adapt to a new style of play, emphasizing defense and teamwork. "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 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," Lue stated.
New Coaching Dynamics
Ty Lue will also have a new dynamic within his coaching staff with the addition of Jeff Van Gundy as his top assistant and defensive coordinator. Van Gundy, returning to an NBA sideline for the first time in 17 years, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the Clippers' coaching strategy. Lue, who recently served as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics, is looking forward to integrating Van Gundy's expertise. "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move," said Mark Few, expressing confidence in Van Gundy’s contribution to the team.
Lue’s respect for Van Gundy’s basketball acumen 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, highlighting Van Gundy’s dedication and meticulous approach.
Kawhi Leonard’s Comeback
Meanwhile, the Clippers are also keeping an eye on Kawhi Leonard, who played 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season before being sidelined by a knee injury. Lue provided an encouraging update on Leonard's recovery, stating that the star player will be ready for the Clippers’ training camp. "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.
As the Clippers transition through this period of change, Lue remains optimistic about the road ahead. "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 asserted.
The upcoming season will undoubtedly test Ty Lue’s leadership and strategic acumen. With new defensive acquisitions, an experienced coach in Jeff Van Gundy, and the anticipated return of Kawhi Leonard, Lue is gearing up to prove that the Clippers can thrive despite the setbacks. As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, Lue's determination and vision aim to steer the Clippers towards a successful season.