With the LA Clippers sneaking into the postseason as the 9th seed, it's officially do-or-die. This positioning was entirely their own fault, stemming from their abysmal start, which led to a down to the wire finish versus the Portland Trail Blazers that did not end well. Thus, with the inevitable hurdles of the Play-In Tournament, then the many more that will come from facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's normal to question whether the Clippers have enough in the tank to make a run from the Play-In, something they've never done.
The team's age, coaching, and lack of star power are also reasons to feel a sense of doubt. These factors have all come up as an issue at some point during the 82-game journey, and in the blink of an eye, one or a combination of them, could easily re-appear on the biggest stage.
The Clippers need to be consistent to disprove the doubt
While the LA Clippers played the 10th-most back-to-backs this season, the pressure was not what it is now. Starting tonight, they have to win two games in three days, and losing is not an option, as it would end their season.Â
Recently, it's felt like every game was a must-win for this team. Since the month started, the Clippers are 3-3, with losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers.
While these are all excellent competition, each matchup was winnable had consistent two-way production taken place from LA's end.
So, for the foreseeable future, beyond Kawhi Leonard being forced to put on a masterclass on a nightly basis, Darius Garland cannot be played off the floor, the bench must be able to leave an impact, and defending in a resilient manner has to be an emphasis from start to finish.
These aspects must turn into clockwork, as, if one is a no-show, then the Clippers will be in the hot seat to lose.
Additionally, for what it's worth, the Clippers have an 0-2 record in the Play-In Tournament, which is somewhat concerning. Many players have come and go since, but the coach, Tyronn Lue, has remained still.
While Lue has been one of the best coaches in the league since joining the Clippers for the 2020-2021 season, leading them to their first Western Conference Finals in franchise history, he has not been able to repeat that initial success.
Against the Golden State Warriors is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate he's not the reason the franchised is being anchored down, and that the Clippers need him at the helm to be seen as a legitimate threat coming out of the Western Conference.
However, to do so, consistency must be presented. That's where success begins, and it'll be the ultimate outlet into shutting down every bit of doubt surrounding the Clippers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google