The LA Clippers have some obvious challenges headed into this new season and into a new era of Clippers basketball. Losing notable players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook is never easy. And although LA added plenty of capable role players to take their place, getting everyone to work well together will still be something of an uphill climb.
Thankfully, the Clippers have one of the best coaches in the NBA to do the heavy lifting on that in Ty Lue. LA's leader is generally regarded as one of the top coaches in the association, but you do not have to take my word for it. Just look at the new NBA General Manager survey, which saw 28% of polled executives vote for Lue as the best head coach in the league when it comes to making in-game adjustments.
Ty received the highest percentage of votes in this category, coming in at the top spot on the list. Behind him was the Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra who got 24% of votes, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Mark Diagneault at 17%, and the Indiana Pacers' Rick Carlisle, the Memphis Grizzlies' Taylor Jenkins and the Philadelphia 76ers' Nick Nurse all polling at 7%.
Lue was voted as best at making in-game adjustments
For Clippers fans who watch every game, this poll result should hardly come as a surprise. Lue has had the reputation of an in-game mastermind ever since he helped orchestrate the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history back in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A tactical genius, Ty is one of the best pure basketball minds in the NBA today. It is no wonder that last season, he managed to incorporate James Harden in practically no time. A lesser coach would have struggled with such a major early-season addition to his roster, but Lue took some early losses in stride and still managed to turn the Clippers into one of the best teams in the league for a lengthy stretch.
Oftentimes, perception and reality can get confused. But here, the public view of Ty Lue's coaching actually lines up with his ability in real life. He is an instant ceiling-raiser for any team he coaches, and that should make Clippers fans optimistic about the unknown nature of this coming season.
There will probably be plenty of games this season where LA is in a bind and in need of someone to change things around. There is not a better man for the job in the NBA than Lue.