Norman Powell: Losing Paul George is addition by subtraction. Update: Norm: Everybody now is coachable

[HotelVitale]

Without Kawhi thats a pretty **** looking team. Losing PG for nothing was a huge blow

Man, people are in for a shock lol. So much of this forum is awful at projections. This team is gonna catch a lot of your teams this year by surprise.

Vegas is awful at projections too, because they have then at 12th also.

11th-12th sounds bad but look at the 10 teams ahead of them:
OKC
DAL
DEN
MIN
PHX
SAC
LAL
NOP
GSW
MEM

Would anyone be surprised if they ended up beneath those teams? Might have to win like 50 games to finish better than that this year.

[manlisten]

This season, we get to see if Norm is as good as he says, we will see if Mann is a true starter or just a role player and most importantly, we will get a chance to preview Kevin Porter Jr, who has star potential yet to be realized.

This is hilarious and you've clearly never watched Kevin Porter. Aside from that you should keep in mind that he's absolutely going to be suspended to start the year. Miles Bridges got 30 games and credit for 20 games served because he sat out a whole season. Porter was waived so I doubt he gets the same benefit but his case was a misdemeanor while Bridges' was a felony. He represents a good chunk of the Clippers offense and he won't even be available for who knows how long.

KPJ's crime was nowhere near Bridges crime (Miles strangled his GF and was arrested vs an assault KPJ's GF has said did not happen). He will probably get suspended, but highly likely that he will get credit for not being in the NBA for a year. I am guessing a 20 game suspension with a 15 game credit - so 5 games out. It wont change things much IMO, but we don't know yet.

You are correct that I have not seen much of KPJ on the court but the few times I remember, he was becoming a star player in Houston. His athleticism and natural scoring abilities was likely to secure him a max deal and now he is on a vet min deal. For the price, he could be the biggest bargain in the league and on the Clips, as the 4th option, he could really thrive.

I'm not sure what you mean by star but I'll just suppose you don't actually mean an All-star. Max deal was also not in the cards. He's an MLE level player at worst with some upside as well as some glaring flaws. I wouldn't be confident with him being a crucial piece to make the playoffs but maybe he'll surprise me.

[Edrees]

This is the very definition of copium. This would only make sense if the next 2 best players on the Clippers were young guys looking for more minutes. Sure the role players will fill some of the void, but this puts more pressure on Kawhi and Harden when clutchtime comes up. That's NOT good.

Also, Harden is 35. He's getting up there. No way he doesn't decline more this year.

I see the reverse. No way Harden doesn’t have a dead cat bounce season. Last year he took only 11 something shots per game. He was passive and timid trying not to step on toes. He’s being asked to carry the offense this year. Will it work in the playoffs? No. Will it work in the regular season when he ramps up shot attempts to 18-20 per game? Yes.

I see him putting up 22-24 ppg vs 17 last year and another assist or two per game. Then the following year I see him dropping back down.

I will believe it when I see it. I do think Hardens' scoring ppg will 100% go up this year, but I dont see his efficiency improving, and can see it getting even worse if he's taking more volume. I am excited to follow this and see what happens though, that's for sure!

[Archx]

Unfortunately Harden is still there and he's as much of a choker while being woefully inferior as a defender.

He did say if Luka can make the finals, so can he basically.

[clippertown]

This is hilarious and you've clearly never watched Kevin Porter. Aside from that you should keep in mind that he's absolutely going to be suspended to start the year. Miles Bridges got 30 games and credit for 20 games served because he sat out a whole season. Porter was waived so I doubt he gets the same benefit but his case was a misdemeanor while Bridges' was a felony. He represents a good chunk of the Clippers offense and he won't even be available for who knows how long.

KPJ's crime was nowhere near Bridges crime (Miles strangled his GF and was arrested vs an assault KPJ's GF has said did not happen). He will probably get suspended, but highly likely that he will get credit for not being in the NBA for a year. I am guessing a 20 game suspension with a 15 game credit - so 5 games out. It wont change things much IMO, but we don't know yet.

You are correct that I have not seen much of KPJ on the court but the few times I remember, he was becoming a star player in Houston. His athleticism and natural scoring abilities was likely to secure him a max deal and now he is on a vet min deal. For the price, he could be the biggest bargain in the league and on the Clips, as the 4th option, he could really thrive.

I'm not sure what you mean by star but I'll just suppose you don't actually mean an All-star. Max deal was also not in the cards. He's an MLE level player at worst with some upside as well as some glaring flaws. I wouldn't be confident with him being a crucial piece to make the playoffs but maybe he'll surprise me.

I meant that he would be a solid player and a possible candidate for a big deal - maybe even a near max deal. He was the #1 option in Houston for a bit. He has well above average potential. I doubt he would be in the MLE running at age 22 (in Houston) and averaging almost 20ppg on 15 attempts. Not saying he is Kobe, but Clipper fans are hoping he will become a poor-mans PG13.

Personally, I am hoping he will start and add some athleticism and scoring punch to the squad. Unfortunately, I have not seen enough of him to make any real determination but we are hopeful. I think he has the most upside on this team right now.

[clippertown]

Unfortunately Harden is still there and he's as much of a choker while being woefully inferior as a defender.

He did say if Luka can make the finals, so can he basically.

Clippers were 2-2 with Dallas in round 1 without a healthy Kawhi. If we had a full squad, there was a very real chance the Clips would have advanced. The team is basically the same now (with the loss of PG) and the additions of KPJ, Dunn, Batum, Kai and DJJ (who was responsible for shutting down PG13 in all of the 1st round games).

I get that the Clips took a step back, but I still think they can be competitive if Kawhi is healthy. Harden will be critical.

[manlisten]

KPJ's crime was nowhere near Bridges crime (Miles strangled his GF and was arrested vs an assault KPJ's GF has said did not happen). He will probably get suspended, but highly likely that he will get credit for not being in the NBA for a year. I am guessing a 20 game suspension with a 15 game credit - so 5 games out. It wont change things much IMO, but we don't know yet.

You are correct that I have not seen much of KPJ on the court but the few times I remember, he was becoming a star player in Houston. His athleticism and natural scoring abilities was likely to secure him a max deal and now he is on a vet min deal. For the price, he could be the biggest bargain in the league and on the Clips, as the 4th option, he could really thrive.

I'm not sure what you mean by star but I'll just suppose you don't actually mean an All-star. Max deal was also not in the cards. He's an MLE level player at worst with some upside as well as some glaring flaws. I wouldn't be confident with him being a crucial piece to make the playoffs but maybe he'll surprise me.

I meant that he would be a solid player and a possible candidate for a big deal - maybe even a near max deal. He was the #1 option in Houston for a bit. He has well above average potential. I doubt he would be in the MLE running at age 22 (in Houston) and averaging almost 20ppg on 15 attempts. Not saying he is Kobe, but Clipper fans are hoping he will become a poor-mans PG13.

Personally, I am hoping he will start and add some athleticism and scoring punch to the squad. Unfortunately, I have not seen enough of him to make any real determination but we are hopeful. I think he has the most upside on this team right now.

He's a Jordan Clarkson/Ben Mathurin/Kyle Kuzma caliber player. Wasn't close to a max and was never expected to be more than that as a prospect. He was on year 1 of a 4 year partially guaranteed deal at 15M per when he got waived, I'm not really sure where you're getting this stuff from. I wouldn't get my hopes up too high but you can fan how you like.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Clippers biggest addition is actually JVG. Lue said he’s already transforming the defensive mindset. He’s never led worse than a top 6 defense. I just don’t see any scenario of this team not being a top 10 defense. Also day one of camp Lue says Zubac will get more touches and young guys will play more. If true, this team is winning 45+.

[Archx]

Unfortunately Harden is still there and he's as much of a choker while being woefully inferior as a defender.

He did say if Luka can make the finals, so can he basically.

Clippers were 2-2 with Dallas in round 1 without a healthy Kawhi. If we had a full squad, there was a very real chance the Clips would have advanced. The team is basically the same now (with the loss of PG) and the additions of KPJ, Dunn, Batum, Kai and DJJ (who was responsible for shutting down PG13 in all of the 1st round games).

I get that the Clips took a step back, but I still think they can be competitive if Kawhi is healthy. Harden will be critical.

And what do you think happens if Luka is also healthy and not playing on one leg? In case you didn't notice, Mavs squad improved by quite a lot aswell.

[clippertown]

He did say if Luka can make the finals, so can he basically.

Clippers were 2-2 with Dallas in round 1 without a healthy Kawhi. If we had a full squad, there was a very real chance the Clips would have advanced. The team is basically the same now (with the loss of PG) and the additions of KPJ, Dunn, Batum, Kai and DJJ (who was responsible for shutting down PG13 in all of the 1st round games).

I get that the Clips took a step back, but I still think they can be competitive if Kawhi is healthy. Harden will be critical.

And what do you think happens if Luka is also healthy and not playing on one leg? In case you didn't notice, Mavs squad improved by quite a lot aswell.

Luka got injured during the series. Everybody is banged up by the playoffs. Game one, Luka was healthy (he played 42 mins and scored 33) and the Clips still won that game without Kawhi.

[xb3at band1tx]

I do not like a lot of their role players (basically the young scraps that nobody wanted to touch)

Mann and DJJ are good doe, I think they will have a competitive RS but will at best have an early flame out. I can see why some clippers fans are just happy to have a team like that (ala 2019) but that team had a young star prospect in SGA, don't really see that on this aging team so the future feels a bit more uncertain but hey anything can happen.

At this point they are just waiting for Kawhi to play out his contract or retire

[Raps in 4]

Harden was better than PG in his prime. In their current washed up states, I'm not sure who I'd pick.

[ArksNetsSince99]

He's not wrong. Last year in LA he took 11.4 fga per game and that was the fewest he'd taken since his 3rd year when he was coming off the bench in OKC. It was also his second lowest usg% of his career (also when he was in OKC coming off the bench). Career low free throw rate too and career high 3pt rate.

His TS% was just the same as it's always been, so it's reasonable to imagine that with a different shot diet, where he's getting into the paint and drawing more fouls, with a higher usage%, that he should be putting up much better numbers than he was last year. Weather that means more wins for the Clippers is a different thing, I think the West is much stronger, and the Clippers just lack some of the talent that the rest of the team has.

The RealGM Survivor Poll has them as the consensus 13th seed, and thats where I view them. Harden may put up some great numbers doing it, but I don't see it leading to success unless Kawhi plays 65+ games.

13th is insane. Even if Kawhi misses 50+ games they are a 35 win team. I don’t think people quite realize how good this depth and defense can be. I have the Clippers between 42-48 wins and 6-8 seed. Bookmark this now. Remember when people called OKC at 45 wins I said 55+. The prior year most had OKC at bottom of conference and I rightly predicted .500 or better.

What’s the upcoming power ball numbers ?

[HotelVitale]

Harden was better than PG in his prime. In their current washed up states, I'm not sure who I'd pick.

Not sure what that has to do with the thread, and I don't want to be a defensive Sixers fan (I'm expecting to be disappointed/let down by PG), but PG just had one of his best seasons. It was the most efficient shooting season of his career and #s generally looked in line with his prime years (not his two MVP-candidate years but the other 5-6 peak seasons).

Harden's still pretty good though, and he could have a huge statistical season. But he's definitely lost a lot more of his game to age than PG IMO.

[TFJava]

Okay, will Kawhi stay healthy all season long and not crumble in the playoffs?

[Raps in 4]

Okay, will Kawhi stay healthy all season long and not crumble in the playoffs?

No chance.

[xb3at band1tx]

Okay, will Kawhi stay healthy all season long and not crumble in the playoffs?

I think Kawhi's playoff career might be over. Don't think he makes it pass a game or two in the post-season.

[Scoundreldays]

Okay, will Kawhi stay healthy all season long and not crumble in the playoffs?

Ben Simmons has a better chance of making a comeback than Kawhi being healthy all season and playoffs

[Sixers in 4]

Unfortunately Harden is still there and he's as much of a choker while being woefully inferior as a defender.

He did say if Luka can make the finals, so can he basically.

Clippers were 2-2 with Dallas in round 1 without a healthy Kawhi. If we had a full squad, there was a very real chance the Clips would have advanced. The team is basically the same now (with the loss of PG) and the additions of KPJ, Dunn, Batum, Kai and DJJ (who was responsible for shutting down PG13 in all of the 1st round games).

I get that the Clips took a step back, but I still think they can be competitive if Kawhi is healthy. Harden will be critical.

Harden is going to have to be a completely different player than he was with the Sixers. He looked like he hadn't just lost a step but lost two here.

What was really apparent was his ability to finish and get to the rim was limited. He basically turned into a perimeter player. When his shot was falling particularly his 3PT shot he was still capable of having a big night but he wasn't consistent enough where you felt you could advance that way.

Sixers sort of had the benefit of seeing what that looks like without Embiid. I have no reason to believe that has changed if anything Harden should have declined more of course there is always the possibility at some point he takes his nutrition seriously gets himself into great shape to start the year and maybe regains some of what he lost but I mean he was a FA twice in the last two years and didn't do it. So like Bens jumpshot hope springs eternal I guess.

[Archx]

Clippers were 2-2 with Dallas in round 1 without a healthy Kawhi. If we had a full squad, there was a very real chance the Clips would have advanced. The team is basically the same now (with the loss of PG) and the additions of KPJ, Dunn, Batum, Kai and DJJ (who was responsible for shutting down PG13 in all of the 1st round games).

I get that the Clips took a step back, but I still think they can be competitive if Kawhi is healthy. Harden will be critical.

And what do you think happens if Luka is also healthy and not playing on one leg? In case you didn't notice, Mavs squad improved by quite a lot aswell.

Luka got injured during the series. Everybody is banged up by the playoffs. Game one, Luka was healthy (he played 42 mins and scored 33) and the Clips still won that game without Kawhi.

Mavs and game 1 name a worse duo