Can Ty Lue find the playoff switch-flipping magic in Los Angeles that he did with the Cavaliers in 2016?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -– Ty Lue’s title contenders lack consistency. They’re underperforming this common season, and questions linger about whether or not they can modify their depth when the playoffs start.

Sound acquainted?

Lue’s Clippers, who will play at Cleveland on Sunday night time, would possibly remind Cleveland followers of the Lue-era Cavaliers. Over 82 video games, these Cleveland groups might embarrass or get embarrassed by any opponent. The protection waxed and waned; the drama didn’t. However every Might, the Cavs would mow by way of the East and immediate locals to marvel why they ever apprehensive within the first place.

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The Clippers haven’t earned the identical belief by way of three-plus seasons of the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George partnership. Los Angeles has gained simply three playoff sequence throughout that span, largely on account of Leonard and George’s frequent absences. That duo has appeared in a mixed 301 of 636 attainable common season video games since becoming a member of forces. They’ve solely performed 24 of a attainable 34 playoff video games collectively.

Lue grew bored with discussing LA’s damage predicament final March, when the Clippers had been clawing towards the playoffs with out both star wing. George was nursing a torn elbow, Leonard a torn knee. Lue fielded questions on each accidents for months. And after one too many, he let reporters know he’d fielded sufficient.

“[They’re] feeling good,” Lue said. “Man, I’m bored with listening to this s—. After they’re taking part in, I’ll let y’all know. I’m bored with speaking about them each day. We are able to’t win a recreation, however we gotta discuss Kawhi/PG.”

Ten months later, Lue should be exhausted. By 52 video games this season, Los Angeles has misplaced virtually as many video games this season with one in all George or Leonard sidelined (14-18 file) of than it has performed with each obtainable (20).

That’s 32 of 52 video games that the Clippers have performed with out no less than one in all its stars, they usually simply performed 4 in a row with each for the primary time all season. George and Leonard haven’t been in a position to play that lengthy with out struggling a minor damage or needing a relaxation day to stop a significant one. Frankly, the excellence between the 2 blurs after so many of every.

All of us perceive the league’s relaxation emphasis is useful when stopping accidents. But it surely’s been simply as (if no more) efficient in de-valuing the common season. Followers miss seeing their favourite participant in particular person. Primetime tv matchups lose their luster. And within the Clippers’ case, it could value them a championship window.

Severely, how does Los Angeles anticipate this staff to excel in a sport the place chemistry is king? Celtics legend Invoice Russell thought of serving to his teammates “an important measure of how good a recreation I performed.” The Steve Nash-era Suns as soon as believed in chemistry so fervently that they assigned an intern to rely their gamers’ excessive fives. And the 2022-23 Clippers, nicely, take heed to Lue focus on his staff’s inconsistent hierarchy.

“It’s been an enormous factor for us when guys miss 5 – 6 video games, and now you’re taking their offensive bundle out and also you carry them again and guys are like, ‘Oh,’” Lue mentioned Jan. 17. “They don’t actually know their spots, the place they’re going to. It’s simply type of laborious.”

Blame the Lue-era Cavs for making it look simple to good the proverbial flip of the playoff change. LeBron James and firm might modify their focus like a radio dial, they usually turned it approach up en path to 4 straight NBA Finals appearances. It didn’t matter how matted, disorganized, or disinterested they appeared over 82 video games.

At this level, Lue’s previous Cleveland mannequin is perhaps his greatest probability at a hoop in LA. The Clippers are caught in the midst of the Western Convention standings. They will’t discover a constant groove (or beginning lineup, for that matter). And he doesn’t have a lot management over the components that may assist his staff regain it.

However no less than to Lue’s ears, that sounds acquainted. And if he can lead this Clippers staff to the identical end line he reached in Cleveland, he’s a good higher coach than we already knew.

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