The LA Clippers held a press conference on Tuesday to welcome some of their new additions.
The LA Clippers held a press conference early on Tuesday in which they welcomed some of their new players. At the press conference was Montrezl Harell, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker (all via Chris Paul trade), Jawun Evans, and Sindarius Thronwell (via draft). Spirits were high, and everyone seemed pretty confident about what this upcoming season will bring, including Doc Rivers and Lawrence Frank. Doc describes all the new players as high character, competitive, hardworking, and tough minded.
New Identity
With CP3 gone, a player who played a large part in shaping the Clippers’ identity, the team will have to find a new one. But according to Doc, this isn’t something the new team is struggling with, even this early on in the offseason.
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“We know exactly who we’re gonna be and how we’re gonna play.”
The Clippers are fully embracing the new look of there team. Doc spoke on how CP’s absence allows the team to move the ball move. He’s also glad that the team is no longer small like it used to be.
“We’ve been undersized,” he said of the Clippers over the past few years. The Clippers have finally added some taller and longer players, but also avoided becoming a more tall and lumbering team. “ not big and slow, big and athletic.”
Montrezl Harrell, who will be an important addition to the Clippers frontcourt, mentioned how he’s excited to play alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. “I’m very excited to play with two dominant frontcourt players like that.” And as for finishing around the rim: “Not as high as they do, but I feel like I finish plays around the rim just as good as they do.” Lawrence Frank also believes that Harrell brings some edge to the frontcourt.
Perhaps the biggest storyline has been how Patrick Beverley will take CP3’s place. But Beverley stressed one thing: “I am not Chris Paul. But saying that, he is not me either.” He feels excited and blessed to play on the Clippers, seeing it as an opportunity to see what his limits are as a player. Nevertheless, he’s confident in his role as a defender, and made sure everyone knew he was 1st team All Defense.
To watch the full press conference, click here. As always, stay tuned here at Clipperholics this season for all your news and updates and make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!