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LA Clippers: Ten takeaways from the first ten games of the season

By Randi Geffner

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 11: The LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 11: The LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 22: Doc Rivers and Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers shake hands against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 22, 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 – OCTOBER 22: Doc Rivers and Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers shake hands against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 22, 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) /

6. Don’t Fear the Schedule

When the 2019-2010 schedule was released, Clipper fans let out a collective groan looking at eight of the first ten games of the season being against likely playoff teams, and all without Paul George. Dire predictions of starting the season 5-5, or worse, were everywhere. Yet here we sit, 7-3. Doc Rivers has often been quoted as saying he doesn’t even know what the standings are, that he looks at one game at a time.

I was fortunate to sit bench-side in Memphis once and hear Doc’s coaching firsthand, he repeated “one possession at a time” to the players often during that game. Focus on the task immediately in front of you. All the worry about the first ten games was for naught. Every team plays every other team, more than once, eventually. No need for panic.

7. Surprising Things Happen All the Time

Clippers fans who closely followed the NBA draft were excited about the drafting of both Mfiondu Kabengele (No. 27 pick) and Terance Mann (No. 48 pick). We all assumed that Kabengele would be the next Shai Gilgeous Alexander, and that Mann would languish a bit in the G League. Little did we know that Mann would shine in the minutes he has played. The moral of this story—be prepared to be surprised by these Clippers.

8. Defense Can Win Games

We all know this intellectually. But if the first ten games have shown us anything, it is that the Clippers can win if they can keep the opposing team from scoring. We need to look no further back than the 15 point first quarter against the Toronto Raptors. The Clippers were shooting 26%. Let that sink in. It’s early, but the Clippers offense overall has not shown up in the way that we would have expected (presumably this will be old news when Paul George joins the lineup and gets in the groove). There are a lot of ways to win basketball games, and when the offense isn’t working, the Clippers pull out the world-class defense.

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