The LA Clippers have an advantage over every other team coming out of the COVID-19 hiatus thanks to the tough-nosed roster they have assembled.
No one thought the NBA season would go down like this. And while we don’t have a definite answer on if and when the season will return, we do have a positive feeling that it will happen. After the LA Clippers and other teams returned to their practice facilities on Monday, we can assume the 2019-20 season will resume. And you know what?
The LA Clippers are built better than any team to come out of this hiatus strong and ready.
Let’s start with the stars. Paul George has battled adversity before after returning from a horrific leg injury. If he can individually come back from that, getting ready to play again after missing a couple of months alongside the rest of the league should be no issue whatsoever.
Then, we have Kawhi Leonard who is the definition of always ready. He is 100% focused on playing and winning and having time off can only help him to be his best self on the court. We are all aware of what load management did for him last season, so having a two-month break will only help.
As for the role players, they are all tough-nosed, hard workers. Is there any world where you don’t see Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, Marcus Morris, Lou Williams, Reggie Jackson, or any of the other guys NOT ready to get back out there and play? It’s just not in their DNA.
Even if the players were somehow not mentally prepared to play right away, the team made sure they were ready physically. The team provided all sorts of equipment to each player at the start of quarantine and made sure to have them working out together via Zoom. They say the little things matter when it comes to championships and the Clippers may have an ever slight advantage thanks to how well run the organization is.
We should get news on the NBA season resuming soon and if they do decide to finish out the year, the LA Clippers may just be a few steps ahead of the rest of the league.