To a certain extent, it’s fair to assume the LA Clippers may not win as many games as they have over the years in the upcoming season, or finish at/above .500. They are short-staffed going into opening night, most notably without Brandon Ingram, and lack depth at certain positions, which will definitely hold the team as a whole back from overall success.
However, Bleacher Report released record predictions, and the Clippers’, which are at 22-58, are criminally low. Ultimately, this is bound to be proven wrong, as LA might lack in a few areas, but they have an elite head coach, a multi-time All-Star in Darius Garland poised for a massive breakout, and a handful of talented role players who can leave an impact on both sides of the ball.
A much fairer prediction would’ve been 35-47, or anything around that, if the doubt around the Clippers is that high.
The LA Clippers are easily going to surpass 22 wins in the upcoming regular season
Elite coaching alone will play a massive role in the LA Clippers crushing Bleacher Report’s record prediction. Do you know the last time Tyronn Lue finished a season with a losing record? Never.
Yes, that’s correct. In the games he’s coached, Lue has always found a way to win, making him one of the most winningest coaches in the NBA, and one of the greatest to ever lead the Clippers.
Beyond that, though, the Clippers have Darius Garland at the helm. Sure, he was never really a first option on the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the 26-year-old is still an elite scorer and playmaker who can positively impact the game with high usage.
Alongside Garland, the Clippers have Rui Hachimura, Kris Dunn, and Derrick Jones Jr., three players widely considered among the league's best role players.
That is already enough to surpass 22 wins, and names like Keaton Wagler, Kobe Sanders, and Isaiah Jackson haven’t even been mentioned.
It’s also worth noting that Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are already doing work on the court. Those are three valuable pieces of the Clippers’ rotation, and although there is no timetable for any of their returns, it’s clear they will be back at some point in the near future.
If they were ruled out for the season, Bleacher Report’s prediction might look more realistic, but with their eventual return, there's no way the Clippers won’t at least eclipse 30 wins.
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