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LA Clippers: Five concerns heading into the 2019-20 season

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 24: Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, looks on at his new players Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, right, during a press conference at the Green Meadows Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. George and Leonard were introduced to the media and fans as the newest members of the Clippers. (Photo by Scott Varley/MediaNews Group/Daily Breeze via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 24: Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, looks on at his new players Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, right, during a press conference at the Green Meadows Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. George and Leonard were introduced to the media and fans as the newest members of the Clippers. (Photo by Scott Varley/MediaNews Group/Daily Breeze via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 28: Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket for layup against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 28, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 28: Landry Shamet #20 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket for layup against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 28, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /

3. A Slow Start

In case you haven’t looked at the Clippers schedule, the first few weeks are tough. To couple with that, Paul George is likely to miss some time to open the season. If the Clips fall behind early on, it’s possible they could be playing catch up.

In a very strong Western Conference, falling behind early can be very problematic. The Clips will obviously want the best seed they can get, so getting stuck down in the middle of the conference early on is not great. We’ve already broken down by October and November, but in case you missed it, here’s the first few games the Clippers have:

  • vs. Los Angeles Lakers
  • @ Golden State Warriors
  • @ Phoenix Suns
  • vs. Charlotte Hornets
  • @ Utah Jazz
  • vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • vs. Utah Jazz
  • vs. Milwaukee Bucks
  • vs. Portland Trail Blazers
  • vs. Toronto Raptors
  • @ Houston Rockets

By my count, the first 11 games come against 7 playoff teams from last season. One of the three teams who didn’t make the playoffs only has one of the best players of all time and added Anthony Davis this summer. Not great.

The Clips will have to be ready to open up the season. It helps that for all but four of their first eleven that they have are home, but in the NBA nothing is certain. Even the games we take for granted like those against Phoenix and Charlotte will be tough battles. As we’ve seen with the Warriors over the past couple years, everyone likes gunning for the perceived top dog.

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