The Clippers will stay in New York to take on the Nets on Monday night after beating the Knicks on Saturday. This one was going to be awkward. . . But now it might be less awkward (maybe?). Check out our preview below to read why:
Game Information
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
When: 4:30 PM PT
How to Watch: NBA TV
How to Listen: AM 570 KLAC
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris, Sr. – Ivica Zubac
Nets: Edmond Sumner – Seth Curry – Joe Harris – Royce O’Neale – Nic Claxton
Injuries
Clippers:
OUT – John Wall (abdominal)
Nets:
QUESTIONABLE – Markieff Morris (knee); Ben Simmons (knee)
OUT – Kevin Durant (knee); T.J. Warren (lower leg)
The Big Picture
The Clippers are 3-2 on this road trip, and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have generally looked really good. In four games (they sat out the Cavaliers game), they are combined averaging 50.6 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 9.3 assists (and five turnovers). They are both shooting about 44% from the field and 39% from three. What’s more, they are both playing 39 minutes a night.
The two stars—along with Norman Powell, who has been great on this trip—have been able to paper over the weaknesses of the roster and some of the coaching decisions. So, although the Clippers still have a lot of work to do, they should still be heavily favorited over this short-handed Nets team. With Durant, Irving, and Simmons expected to be out, the Clippers will have the best four or five available players on the court. Plus, the players the Nets are getting in return for Kyrie will not be available yet.
The Antagonist
On the other hand, the Clippers have been on the road for nine days now. Leonard and George have played a lot of minutes, especially since Ty Lue is only playing eight men right now. The Clippers may simply run out of gas, while the Nets are home and have been resting since Saturday afternoon. After all, the Nets are 16-8 at home and just beat the Wizards despite missing Durant, Irving, and Simmons.
Note
As all of Clipper Nation knows by now, it was reported that the Clippers put in a “strong offer” for Nets’ guard Kyrie Irving. Without picking a side, I am going to concisely summarize the popular arguments for and against trading for Kyrie. In the comments, chime in with your opinion! Should the Clippers have traded for Kyrie?
Editor’s Note: Kyrie Irving has been traded (though still not officially) to the Mavs, leaving this question a moot one, but I’m leaving in the discussion!
Summary of the Pro-Kyrie Argument: Putting a third star next to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would make them the championship favorites. Kyrie solves the “point guard” need and adds another scorer, which the Clippers need because Leonard and George are prone to chucking up bad shots late in games. After all, he is a 27 point a game player on 48/37/88 splits. Every team would benefit from someone who can score like that.
Although he has been a locker room issue in the past, Ty Lue has coached him before and Leonard is one the most respected stars in the league. If the Clippers makes this move, it means that Steve Ballmer and Jerry West agree that they can manage him and that he will do well in our culture. If Ballmer and West agree, then Clipper Nation should not worry. They are much better managers than Joe Tsai and Sean Marks, who are responsible for the Nets’ off-court drama.
Summary of the Anti-Kyrie Argument: Kyrie is not a “traditional” point guard; he is another ball dominant player, which the Clippers do not need. He only averages 5.3 assists per game, which is about the same as Paul George. Moreover, Irving shoots the ball 20 times a game—more than George and Leonard by at least three. The Clippers need a point guard who will move the ball instead of take shots away from George, Leonard, and Powell.
He also makes too much money. The Clippers would need to send three to four players plus perhaps a first round pick. A consolidation trade would be good for the Clippers, but that is too high of a price for their depth. Plus, he will be a free agent in July and wants a deal about the size as Leonard’s. The Clippers will not be able to have a sustainable roster with three $40 million players (who are all over thirty, by the way).
Finally, Irving has been a locker room cancer throughout his career. He demanded a trade from the Cavaliers, left Boston after saying he wanted to stay, and has now asked out of Brooklyn. He uses his platform to share dangerous content and doubles-down—with arrogance and ignorance—when he is called out. Clippers fans do not want to cheer for a person like that, and the team’s chemistry will suffer as well. Maybe not now, but eventually.
That about does it for this preview of the Clippers’ upcoming game against the Nets. As always, check out The Lob The Jam The Podcast and Clips ‘N Dip for analysis throughout the week, and follow us on Twitter to watch the game with us!
