The LA Clippers reminded us how deep, fun, and fearless they are

Well, that was fun! Sometimes, as a spectator, basketball is just joyous entertainment. The LA Clippers provided that, and more, in their freewheeling knockdown of the Heat on Monday night. Fans went into this matchup with limited expectations, given that starters Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Patrick Beverley were slated to miss the game due to injuries (George and Leonard) and rest (Beverley). Adding to that list was the late scratch of (my current favorite) Nicolas Batum due to what was first reported as a migraine, and later described by Head Coach Tyronn Lue as a concussion.

Yes, the Heat have not been playing well of late, but with their star Jimmy Butler and the soaring youngster Tyler Herro, they are not a team to sleep on.

Suffice it to say, the Clippers must have had a caffeine edge with an extra dose of Coffey (Brian Siemen puns abound), because not only did they not sleep on the Heat, but instead delivered a master class in taking care of business from the top of the roster to the bottom.

Four starters down?

No problem.

The LA Clippers played fast, fun, and fearless, and in doing so crashed through all expectations to soundly defeat the defending Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat.

Marcus Morris got his first start of the season and proceeded to score 26 points in the first half, finishing with 32 points including six three-pointers.

Amir Coffey and Terance Mann, both barely old enough to order post-game celebratory drinks, contributed season-high scoring. Coffey was brewing hot, as early on he was four for four from beyond the arc, finishing with five threes. Keep in mind that three days ago, Coffey was in the G League bubble in Orlando.

Ivica Zubac was a nonstop highlight reel in the fourth quarter. Lou Williams reminded us again that he is one of the greatest ever sixth men, contributing a solid 18 points and an impressive 10 assists as part of the Clippers’ team total of 31 assists.

Perhaps partly because of the low expectations, this was an unanticipated joy. Lue’s “next man up” mantra clearly freed up the second unit, and the third unit, to just play the game we all love with focus and abandon.

No excuses, no what-ifs, just solid basketball by a team, well-led by Lue and his staff, that knows what it wants and knows how to get there regardless of obstacles. This couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Clippers face an important week with two matchups against the currently streaking Utah Jazz.

All of a sudden, this morning, social media seems to have just noticed that the LA Clippers have depth and, equally important, they have fun together. Well, guess what? Clippers’ fans already knew that. Welcome to the party. Grab a Coffey and enjoy with us.