The LA Clippers are going to have a full offseason to improve upon the team they were in this 2020-2021 season.
Getting to the Western Conference Finals with many key pieces out; the Clippers and their fans have nothing to hang their heads about right now.
Next year should be a great year. It’s a year where there will be high expectations and where the Clippers will be in a great spot to achieve up to those high expectations. I know it’s way too early to be doing this, but I have some bold predictions for next year that could put the Clippers right on track to taking that Western Conference crown, and maybe even more.
No. 1 way-too-early bold prediction for 2022 season: The LA Clippers will have multiple All-Defensive selections
The LA Clippers should have had multiple All-Defensive selections this year, but were stuck with just one; Kawhi Leonard.
Paul George was snubbed hard. They put a bench player over him for the second team.
George has made four All-Defensive teams in his career, and he’ll be hungry after being disrespected this year. One of the biggest reasons he didn’t make it this year had to be due to him missing so many games.
He’ll be back healthy, and rested up after this offseason, and the voters will recognize his dominant defense again.
Also, Serge Ibaka will likely be re-signed by the Clippers. If Kawhi or PG deal with injuries, he’s also an interesting candidate for an All-Defensive spot. He’s been selected for three of them before, and if he starts and can stay healthy, he’ll be a force on D.
Despite dealing with injuries last year, he still averaged over a block per game, and if he’s able to get consistent reps, that number is only going to go up.
Also, Patrick Beverley showed how dominant he is on defense in the Western Conference Finals. He’s also received All-Defensive recognition three times, but didn’t have the chance this year due to injuries.
The offseason only gives the Clippers the chance to get healthier, and that’s huge news for the likelihood that they get at least two guys selected to All-Defensive teams.