Head coach Tyronn Lue and the LA Clippers have been trying to change the narrative by publicly displaying confidence in players like Bradley Beal’s ability to defend, as many believe the team made the offseason shift to an offensive-based game plan. On the contrary, Lue’s worst nightmare is ultimately one too many defensive breakdowns.
This was seen in the first opportunity of the season against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions. The offense performed well, but primarily in the first quarter, there were times when the rotation lacked what every championship team possesses on defense: communication.
Though Beal was not there, the rest of the lineup was. They should not have struggled, even if it was just for a few possessions, against the Loong-Lions, as their aspirations this season are high and include winning the NBA Finals.
Yet, the first 12 minutes of action highlighted areas where some changes may be necessary. Fortunately, it is just preseason, and this is the perfect time for mistakes, but the coaching staff really needs to commit to the drawing board and fix every hole on the defense immediately, even if a limited amount exists.
The Clippers had some defensive perimeter concerns in the first quarter against the Loong-Lions
While the Guangzhou Loong-Lions may be a talented basketball team from China, they have a squad full of former college basketball stars and are currently home to Victor Oladipo and Frank Kaminsky, two veterans using the Loong-Lions to dominate their way to an NBA roster.
However, in the first quarter against the LA Clippers, Oladipo did particularly well, posting nine points on an efficient fifty-percent from the field.
His stats against the Clippers, who had the top-three defense in the league last season, is not the only factor that seems worrisome, as on a few trips down the court, the game plan collapsed, allowing the Loong-Lions to score at ease.
Granted, this is the first game of the preseason, and for everyone, it is the first official setting of organized basketball, yet these occurrences should not be happening. This was a concern that fans worried about most over the summer, and the Loong-Lions were the first to expose the weakness.
There are still three frames to redeem themselves and win the game, as the Clippers were up after the first quarter, but having this issue in the first place has to instill some type of urgency within the locker room, coaching staff, and organization.