LA Clippers: What every player needs to do in the playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
1 of 14
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

As the Western Conference’s 8th seed, the LA Clippers will have a tough road ahead. We break down what each player needs to do to help the team advance.

The 2018-2019 regular season has finally come to an end, and contrary to what many thought would happen entering the year, the LA Clippers are back in the NBA Playoffs.

Led by an unlikely group of heroes, LA overachieved all season long. Their 48 wins were far more than what was projected for them, and they remained competitive with the Western Conference’s best teams despite not having a single All-Star — past or present — on the roster.

With a bright future ahead, there’s no telling what this team could achieve over the next few years. Obviously a lot of that depends on what happens this summer, but even still, the Clippers have plenty of young talent to develop into future stars and role players.

The coaching staff, the front office, the social media team — they’ve all done a fantastic job of making this one of the most likable LA Clippers teams of all time.

But now, as this team ventures into the playoffs, that unknowingness from the beginning of the season has returned. We didn’t have grand expectations then, and we don’t now. Perhaps this team is at its best when that’s the case?

If they have any hope of knocking off the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers will need to play absolutely flawless basketball. And as unlikely as it is that they pull it off, I don’t want to say it’s impossible. It’s overstated, but the “We Believe” Warriors are a prime example of the kind of energy the Clippers could bring into the first round and beyond.

On the following slides, I’ll be going over each Clippers player and talking about what they need to do in the playoffs to give the team the best chance to succeed. And if nothing else, here’s to a fantastic season.