The primary indicator of four losses in seven games is a flawed roster. This is now obvious, which is not good, and although the LA Clippers had a few areas that might struggle in the back of their minds, like defense or consistency, playmaking missed the cut. Yet this is a significant hole in the roster, as the Clippers are last in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio and turnover percentage.
Furthermore, head coach Tyronn Lue and the Clippers have James Harden running the show. This, of course, is who LA wants on the job, given Harden's scoring, playmaking, team-involvement skills, and reliability.
In fact, Harden is averaging 23.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds this season and looks like a player who will repeat as an All-Star.
However, since Harden is one of the most turnover-prone players in NBA history, and because he leads the Clippers this season in usage percentage, their playmaking issue was going to be the inevitable outcome after all.
The LA Clippers' turnovers should have been expected with a limited list of playmakers
Outside of franchise superstar James Harden, the only other player who could effectively step in as a playmaker is Chris Paul. This is not the prime version of Paul that the LA Clippers have, but the 40-year-old version, who is playing just 13.4 minutes off the bench.
Thus, not a single one of the Clippers' wings or big men would be able to handle what Harden does nightly, specifically pointing to where the hole in the roster is, and which types of players should be targeted in February.
Moreover, the Clippers have posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.39 in seven games (30th), which is well below the league's best, the Boston Celtics, at 2.12. Similarly, LA has a turnover percentage of 18.4 (30th), which does not come close to Boston's (1st) 11.2.
Additionally, like last season, Harden is one of the top five players in the NBA in turnovers. Currently, he is at 4.1, but with Kawhi Leonard out tonight, he may surpass Devin Booker for the second spot, as his usage rate will rise.
That said, the Clippers' roster is not the most friendly when it comes to the team environment. It ultimately relies on one playmaker and a lot of isolation basketball, both of which explain the turnover statistics and one of Harden's few weaknesses, which everyone has always known about.