LA Clippers key #2: Renewed chemistry
Marcus Morris detailed the Clippers’ new mantra best after a fourth-successive win last week.
“The first thing we did before we got together was we let that s— go. It’s a new season; it’s a new team.”
Lue’s ascension to Head Coach after a difficult past season signified a renewed effort towards prioritising communication and accountability – two principles that were vitally absent throughout a 2019/20 campaign defined by injuries, midseason acquisitions, a pandemic and a playoff implosion. Ensuring that each player would invest in the Clippers’ philosophy was an issue that Lue was equally qualified to answer after his exploits with the LeBron-Kyrie-Love iteration of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
And under this new infrastructure, the Clippers have thrived.
The introduction of veterans Ibaka, Batum and Luke Kennard – paired with the departures of Montrezl Harrell and JaMychal Green – formed the foundations of a harmonious locker room free from the philosophical tensions that were simmering all throughout last term.
A retooled roster has expelled the at-times destructive feeling within Clipperland last season. Over the course of the last fortnight, the Clippers’ bench can be seen actively celebrating each of their teammate’s positive play, revealing their genuine jubilation of being a part of this team’s fabric.
Continuing to develop the bonds throughout the roster will be critical later in playoff action, where the Clippers have been known to capitulate. Cultivating a collective togetherness – one contrasting the chemistry of last season – will be the driving force behind any success that Lue’s side will ultimately encounter this season.