LA Clippers-Warriors: What to watch for in preseason opener
By Tom West
The LA Clippers’ 2016-17 preseason opener is here and they’re facing Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors in Oakland. Here’s a look at what you need to watch for.
LA Clippers basketball is back. It’s the day of their 2016-17 preseason opener and we get to see a healthy Blake Griffin complete the Lob City lineup again, see the new bench players in action, and see how the team has started coming together after training camp. To make matters even better, the Clippers are facing none other than the Golden State Warriors in Oakland’s Oracle Arena to kick off the preseason, taking on 2016-17’s top team being highlighted by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Not a bad way to start, right?
The rivalry and history between the Clippers and Warriors isn’t news, but when asked about it, Chris Paul said that this preseason opener is just like any other game, per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register:
"“I’m sure it’d be a good story. but no… “We say game in and game out it’s about us. You know, so no matter who we play against we want to make sure that we’re trying to execute our offense and defense as well as possible.”"
After all, this is only preseason. The Clippers’ opponent couldn’t be tougher, but the preseason, especially the opener, is about continuing what the team has been working on at training camp. Continuing to find their chemistry, working on how they’ll move together on offense and communicate on defense. It’s time to work out all the little things of performing as a collective unit.
Doc Rivers knows this. He wants to just let the team play and see what everyone offers:
"“Typically, the first game I just let them go out and play and see what we’ve put in, how you like it. You evaluate some of the individual talent on your team, you look for combinations and stuff like that. But it’s more them getting in front of somebody else, getting in front of a crowd. You’ll also see things, how guys act.”"
With all these early adjustments, tests, and new bench players in mind, there’s a lot to watch out for. That’s in addition to the actual competition level and whether the Clippers can use their size to give the Warriors trouble on the boards.
Let’s begin with how Blake Griffin has adapted his offensive range, and what to look for with his healthy return.