Reimagining the Clippers: Ty Lue's Vision Post-Paul George Era
In what has been a transformative offseason for the LA Clippers, head coach Ty Lue is reimagining and restructuring his team following significant roster changes. The departure of Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $212-million deal has set in motion a new chapter for the franchise. Despite this setback, Lue remains undeterred and is embracing the challenge with a refreshed perspective.
"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 stated. "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."
The Clippers have strategically bolstered their roster by acquiring defensive stalwarts Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. These additions reflect Lue's commitment to building a team that can endure and thrive defensively, even without George, who was pivotal both on and off the ball. "When you lose an important piece like Paul, you gotta do it by committee. 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," Lue admitted.
Joining Lue’s coaching staff is Jeff Van Gundy, who takes on the role of the top assistant and defensive coordinator. Van Gundy's return to an NBA sideline carries a sense of nostalgia, as he steps back onto the court for the first time in 17 years. His addition to the Clippers is expected to solidify the defensive-focused ethos of the team under Lue's leadership. "Jeff is not afraid to share his opinion. It was just a great move,” commented Mark Few, reflecting on Van Gundy's assertive approach and his potential influence on the Clippers.
Lue, who recently served as Team USA's defensive coordinator during the Olympics, emphasizes the rigorous tactical preparation that both he and Van Gundy bring to the table. "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," said Lue, highlighting Van Gundy’s meticulous and analytical nature.
Another pillar of the team is Kawhi Leonard, who, despite a late-season knee injury, played 68 of the first 74 games in the 2023-24 season. Lue provided an optimistic update on Leonard's recovery process. "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."
As Lue prepares for the upcoming season, his focus remains on shifting the team's style of play to adapt to their new roster. "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 addition of Jeff is going to be huge for us. 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," he said.
For Lue, the task at hand goes beyond merely filling the void left by George. It’s about crafting a resilient, cohesive unit ready to embrace and overcome adversity. He acknowledges the collective effort required to guide the team to success. "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.
As he steers the Clippers into an era defined by new faces and defensive tenacity, Lue is prepared to silence the skeptics. The departure of a key player like Paul George may have cast some doubts, but Ty Lue's relentless drive and strategic foresight suggest the Clippers are ready to surprise the basketball world once again.