The Clippers’ first game of their much-anticipated 2023 campaign starts in a preseason scrimmage against Maccabi Ra’anana, a second-tier Israeli team.
Game Information
Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch: NBA TV, KTLA
Projected Starting Lineups
Maccabi: Daniel Hillel – Jason Siggers – Willy Workman – Alon Sapir – Anthony Morse
Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris – Ivica Zubac
Things to Watch For
Who Does Ty Lue Start?
The one question that is on every Clippers’ fans mind entering the season is “who will start?”. We know three starters are locked – Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac – but the other two spots seem up in the air. Marcus Morris has to be a frontrunner to start after he’s started most of the past three seasons for the Clips, but both Nic Batum and Robert Covington are possibilities as well. There’s also the idea that Kawhi starts at power forward, and the Clippers go small with another guard, probably Norm Powell. However, that would leave all three of Morris, Covington, and Batum coming off the bench, which is an odd rotation.
The starting point guard spot is what’s most up in the air. Reggie Jackson is the incumbent, and is a proven fit with Kawhi and George. John Wall has raw talent, slashing ability, and defensive potential, and has started his entire career. There’s also a theoretical chance that Norm (or even Terance Mann) starts at point guard, but it seems very unlikely both Reggie and Wall will come off the bench. Who starts in the first preseason game might not matter too much, but it certainly is an indicator of the Clippers’ thoughts, and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod.
Editor’s Note: Actually, none of Kawhi, George, Jackson, or Wall will play tomorrow, so just postpone this thought until Monday.
The Young Roster Guys
Considering that preseason games are more or less meaningless, it’s tough to take much away in terms of actual player play or team cohesion. However, it can be a useful showcase for younger players to demonstrate the skills that they’ve picked up over the summer and training camp. For the Clippers, outside of younger veterans like Terance Mann and Amir Coffey, guys to check out are Brandon Boston, Jason Preston, and Moussa Diabate, their picks from the last two drafts. For Boston, I’d like to see some playmaking and better decision-making. For Preston, more aggression and ability to score for himself. For Moussa, strength in battling on both sides of the glass against grown-up professionals. If they can show any of those things, I’ll be happy.
The Training Camp Guys
The Clippers only have four preseason games, so for training camp players who are trying to make the Clippers’ final full roster or two-way spot, they have limited time to impress. Of course, practices and one-on-one time with coaches will mean more to the Clippers than some meaningless, small-sample preseason minutes, but they’re still important game tape for these guys to show the Clippers or other teams.
The Clippers brought five non-roster players to camp: Xavier Moon, Moses Brown, Juwan Morgan, Michael Devoe, and Lucas Williamson. All of those players (except maybe Morgan) are on Exhibit 10 deals, giving them incentive to stay with the Ontario Clippers if they don’t make the Clippers proper. Moon and Brown have the inside track – Moon played with the Clippers last year and was well liked, and Brown is a true 7 footer, something the Clippers could use on their roster. Devoe, Williamson, and Morgan all seem unlikely to make the roster, but maybe if they stand out they could wiggle their way on. If any of them get more minutes or play more with the Clippers’ actual roster players, it could be a sign they’re on the bubble. Then again, just due to the roster shakeout, Brown will probably get more minutes regardless, so who knows.
That about does it for this preview of the Clippers’ preseason game against Maccabi Ra’anana. Comment in the thread below!