PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: A behind the scenes photo of Kawhi Leonard #2, Patrick Beverley #21, Paul George #13, Lou Williams #23 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers at media day on September 29, 2019 at the Honey Training Center: Home of the LA Clippers in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
LA Clippers: Lineups and managing minutes will determine level of success in 2019-20
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Following the greatest offseason in franchise history, expectations are high for the LA Clippers heading into what is sure to be an exciting 2019-20 season.
When the dust finally settles years down the line, the LA Clippers will come to realize just how important the 2018-19 season was in changing the overall perception of one of the league’s second-rate organizations — if they haven’t already.
No, the Clippers didn’t win a championship last season. They didn’t even make it out of the first round. But their 48 wins were far more than anyone expected without a single All-Star on the roster, and their six-game battle with the Golden State Warriors showed a present foundation that could do wonders in the service of superstar talent.
Once free agency came around, it looked as though LA would once again come up empty-handed. In one fell swoop, the organization pulled off a blockbuster never before seen, getting reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to sign on the dotted line by dumping just about all their assets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Paul George.
The Western Conference may have drastically improved once again, but the construction of LA’s roster makes it their title to lose.
After a summer that also included the return and addition of those who are sure to be crucial pieces, the Clippers head into the coming season with a level of expectations they’ve never experienced. It’s a new feeling, one they’ll have to quickly adapt to as a way to further their pursued takeover of Los Angeles.
LA Clippers</a> will come to realize just how important the 2018-19 season was in changing the overall perception of one of the league’s second-rate organizations — if they haven’t already.</p>
<p>No, the Clippers didn’t win a championship last season. They didn’t even make it out of the first round. But their 48 wins were far more than anyone expected without a single All-Star on the roster, and their six-game battle with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/golden-state-warriors/">Golden State Warriors</a> showed a present foundation that could do wonders in the service of superstar talent.</p>
<p>Once free agency came around, it looked as though LA would once again come up empty-handed. In one fell swoop, the organization pulled off a blockbuster never before seen, getting reigning Finals MVP <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kawhi Leonard</a> to sign on the dotted line by dumping just about all their assets to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/oklahoma-city-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> in exchange for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul George</a>.</p>
<p>The Western Conference may have drastically improved once again, but the construction of LA’s roster makes it their title to lose.</p>
<p>After a summer that also included the return and addition of those who are sure to be crucial pieces, the Clippers head into the coming season with a level of expectations they’ve never experienced. It’s a new feeling, one they’ll have to quickly adapt to as a way to further their pursued takeover of Los Angeles.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2019-20 roster </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-371308" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1074347424.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1074347424.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1074347424-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2019-20 roster</h3>
<p><strong>Key additions: </strong>Kawhi Leonard (free agency), Paul George (trade), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harklma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Maurice Harkless</a> (trade), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pattepa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Patrick Patterson</a> (free agency), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgruro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Rodney McGruder</a> (free agency)</p>
<p><strong>Key subtractions: </strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Danilo Gallinari</a> (trade), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> (trade), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Wilson Chandler</a> (free agency), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/templga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Garrett Temple</a> (free agency)</p>
<p>Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were crucial to the surprising success of LA last season. Gallo was a versatile shot-maker who averaged a career-high 19.8 points per game and SGA showed All-Star flashes that bode well for his future.</p>
<p>Losing two valuable pieces of a reigning playoff team would sit a certain type of way for most, but Clipper fans didn’t give them much of a second thought considering those who were directly brought in to replace them.</p>
<p>Paul George and Kawhi Leonard form the most fearsome wing duo in the NBA, especially at the defensive end. The former is a four-time All-Defensive Team member who finished third in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year last season. The latter has made five All-Defensive Teams with two DPOYs in his trophy case.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bx0Nf_eUIjY?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>They are going to share the responsibilities of locking up the opposition’s best player while providing a steady stream of buckets at the other end. Both are coming off career-best scoring seasons and should only benefit playing alongside a talent who commands an equal level of respect.</p>
<p>Mo Harkless’s name flew under the radar given the magnitude of LA’s other acquisitions, but the former <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/portland-trail-blazers/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> player has his fair share of postseason chops as a switchable forward who will certainly be part of the rotation.</p>
<p>Patrick Patterson and Rodney McGruder won’t do much besides fill minutes opened up by potential injuries or whenever Kawhi or PG decides to take the night off.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Storyline No. 1 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-371341" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1129298288.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1129298288.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1129298288-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Storyline No. 1: What does the starting lineup look like?</h3>
<p>As well as the Clippers will be able to supplement both injuries and DNPs throughout the season, their surplus of talent creates multiple lineup scenarios <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/riverdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Doc Rivers</a> will have to sort through.</p>
<p>In the era of small-ball, LA would be wise to have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George occupy both forward spots. But given the physical demands of the power forward position, the space and versatility such a move would create might not sit well with the one who has to deal with its repercussions.</p>
<p>Despite playing 74 percent of his career minutes at the small forward spot, Paul George was primarily a 2-guard during his first two years with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacers</a>. LA could opt for a bigger lineup by pushing him back to where it all started, but doing so would shrink the court and make it difficult for the two stars to manufacture points.</p>
<p>Considering the prowess of sixth men <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willilo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lou Williams</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harremo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Montrezl Harrell</a>, those who start aren’t guaranteed to be the ones who finish, allowing Rivers an experimental period to determine his ideal lineups.</p>
<p>For the sake of the consistency athletes hold so dear, LA would be better off ironing out its starting five — and by extension, its bench rotation — ASAP. In a Western Conference where just a single game can slide one down the standings, it could make all the difference when the playoffs begin.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Storyline No. 2 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-371390" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1052853052.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1052853052.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1052853052-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Storyline No. 2: How healthy are Paul George’s shoulders?</h3>
<p>Paul George sought to avenge his first-round struggles against Portland over the summer with surgery on both shoulders. The discomfort was evident in that five-game defeat, where he shot just 43.6 percent from the field and 31.9 from distance, but the rehab process has the danger of lingering into the season.</p>
<p>As per the most recent updates, PG is likely to miss most if not all of LA’s training camp, putting his status for the opening-night battle against the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-lakers/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> in question. He’ll make his way back to the court one way or another, probably before November, but that clean bill of health he might have in the present won’t necessarily translate to the future.</p>
<p>Most surgeries are the result of an injury incurred at a specific moment, but George’s shoulders are an alarming exception. The best season of his career was also the most taxing, where a career-high in shot attempts broke his body down in a way that could only be withstood for so long.</p>
<p>Having a teammate the caliber of Kawhi Leonard will provide George of some clearly-needed relief offensively, as will reigning two-time Sixth Man of the Year winner Lou Williams.</p>
<p>There will come a time, though, where a certain level of responsibilities will be thrust onto George. If he isn’t physically capable of handling the rigors of an expected long playoff run, the Clippers’ title-hopes diminish significantly without the co-star to aid Kawhi.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Storyline No. 3 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-371402" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1128957396.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1128957396.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1128957396-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Storyline No. 3: What does the shooting guard spot provide besides Lou Williams?</h3>
<p>If there is a weakness within this loaded Clippers roster, the argument could be made for a shooting guard position that doesn’t provide any guarantees outside Lou Williams.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jerome Robinson</a> was LA’s lottery selection in the 2018 Draft, but his inaugural NBA season provided few bright spots. He averaged an uninspiring 3.4 points in just 9.7 minutes a night, unable to crack what was admittedly a heavy rotation.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shamela01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Landry Shamet</a> is the piece everyone seems to have forgotten about despite an impressive appearance on the All-Rookie Second Team. The former late first-round pick shot a scorching 45.0 percent on 6.0 attempts per game upon arriving in Los Angeles, where he started 23 of his 25 games.</p>
<p>Once the playoffs came around, he struggled to replicate that same outside stroke, shooting just 32.3 percent from beyond the arc in 29.0 minutes a night.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://twitter.com/landryshamet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@landryshamet's rookie season:<br>◾️ Led rookies in 3P%<br>◾️ 4th most 3PM in NBA rookie history<br>◾️ Franchise rookie record for most 3PM in a game<br>◾️ Started 23 of 25 regular season games and all 6 playoff games as a Clipper<br>◾️ All-Rookie Second Team<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBARookieWeek?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NBARookieWeek</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://t.co/n8esEyIRoE">pic.twitter.com/n8esEyIRoE
<p>— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1174747013079941125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 19, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>The Clippers may have ranked second last season in 3-point percentage, but they also ranked 25th and 28th in makes and attempts, respectively. Those who can shoot will be asked to spot up, but capable floor-spacers like Williams, PG and Kawhi are better creating those open looks themselves.</p>
<p>Barring a gargantuan improvement, Robinson will once again struggle to crack the rotation. Shamet, on the other hand, was the prize of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tobias Harris</a> trade and is the sniper LA could use alongside its stars.</p>
<p>If he can maintain a respectable level of 3-point efficiency through the playoffs, it will only provide more options for a Clippers team that has just about every other piece to make a run at the title.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Best-case and worst-case scenarios </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-371435" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2551,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1133880349.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2551" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1133880349.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1133880349-768x612.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Best-case scenario</h3>
<p>For a team with a title-or-bust mentality, the best-case scenario is quite simple. Integrating two high-usage players is always a difficult task, but neither George nor Leonard possess an ego that will demand a specified number of shots.</p>
<p>The two superstars mesh seamlessly and only elevate the supporting talent around them. Despite maneuvering around multiple load management schedules, LA manages to claim the top spot in the Western Conference on the backbone of one of the best defenses in the league.</p>
<p>Upon arriving at the postseason, the Clippers’ dynamic duo empty their respective tanks at both ends of the floor. Backed by contributions across the board, their efforts are enough to bring the long-suffering franchise its first-ever NBA championship.</p>
<h3>Worst-case scenario</h3>
<p>Rivers tinkers with his rotation all season long, unable to find the perfect lineup combinations to best utilize the weapons at his disposal. The constant fluctuation does little to build camaraderie, and the Clippers underperform all season long, barely securing home-court advantage in the opening round.</p>
<p>Not even a rigorous load management plan can keep Leonard’s body from slowly breaking down throughout the regular season. Combined with the lingering shoulder issues for George, LA simply doesn’t have the star power necessary to compete in the postseason, leading to a disappointing second-round exit in a battle for Los Angeles with the Lakers.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Predictions </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-371455" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1133674918.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1133674918.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1133674918-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Predictions</h3>
<p>Barring any significant injury, the Clippers will be crowned champions of the 2019-20 season. They simply check too many boxes to face defeat at the hands of anyone but themselves.</p>
<p>The acquisition of superstar talent usually comes at the expense of depth. The Clippers, however, pulled off such a magnificent construction of their roster to the point where their second-unit could put a scare in a good chunk of the league.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/2dhLIkZUtOQ?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Last season’s holdovers such as <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2019/10/03/la-clippers-2019-20-nba-season-preview/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beverpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Patrick Beverley</a>, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell were the reason LA came back from down 31 against Golden State. Their grit and toughness were ultimately responsible for taking the then two-time reigning champs farther than anyone thought possible.</p>
<p>George and Leonard are coming off the best seasons of their respective careers and don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.</p>
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<p>When the time comes, they’ll enforce their two-way will in ways few opponents can match in a seven-game series, flanked by some of the best specialists who have shown little fear under the brightest lights.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
