LA Clippers: Takeaways, expectations and fears at the halfway point

Biggest Fear

Ryan Snellings

I’m starting to get scared that the team makes a trade just for the sake of shaking things up. Perhaps I’m being a worrywart given this front office’s stellar track record as of late, but I just keep seeing the idea of trades being pushed and I don’t like it.

The most talked-about deal recently was the Clippers trying to deal with Marcus Morris. Yes, he has been a scoring machine this year but his locker room presence combined with him having to take a lesser role just never made sense to me.

The same could be said about bringing in Andre Iguodala, someone who has not played a minute of basketball this season and has definitely lost a few steps over the last few years. Do they want to add him on the buyout market (on the unlikely chance he ends up there? Sure go for it.

But please, please, PLEASE do not just make a trade that does nothing but lose you another asset, even if it’s a borderline one like Jerome Robinson.

Brian Cullen

Snakes. Dying alone. Realizing this whole thing has been a simulation and I have to do it all over again but FOR REAL this time. Oh- and octopuses. Those things are like eight snakes attached to a brain that can do remedial math and open a jar from the inside. *shudders*

In terms of this team though, the fears are pretty basic- injuries. I really hope this string of bad luck doesn’t continue. After seeing glimpses of what this team is capable of at full strength, health really does feel like the only thing that can get in its way.

I also fear that Doc will continue to hold Zubac to limited minutes and out of almost all fourth quarters. The thing that scares me the most here is that it can not only stunt Zubac development, but it also forces Montrezl Harrell to play 18-minute stretches, and that will eventually take a toll on his body.

If Zu doesn’t start to get more time in these games I’m also very fearful that Jospeh Raya-Ward will be reduced to a sweaty, shirtless maniac rambling to himself at the bar of a TGIFriday’s during the day shift on a Tuesday. We can’t let that happen.

Joseph Raya-Ward

Biggest Fear: The Team Never Gets Healthy

When fully healthy, I believe the Clippers are the favorites to win the title. They have a great balance between depth and star power, and their role players are versatile enough to match up with almost anyone in the league. The problem so far has been that the team has not been fully healthy except for the game on Christmas.

While people have talked about it ad nauseam, it’s absolutely the most concerning thing plaguing the team right now. I have no doubt that the Clippers will make noise in the playoffs, but just how far they can get is dependent on how healthy the rotation is. And that extends beyond the team’s top two players.

This Clippers team definitely has the potential to win a title, but any holes in the rotation leave them exposed in an incredibly competitive Western Conference, or against one of the Eastern Conference contenders. I expect the team to continue to be cautious with players throughout the rest of the season, but if the injuries continue on their current path, this team may be in trouble.