The Clippers have just over three weeks to get ready for the playoffs, and they have their work cut out for them. With a schedule loaded with some of the toughest teams in the league, the Clippers will need to be ready for a playoff-level intensity if they want to secure a good seed in the Western Conference.
The team has already seen a spark with the addition of Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland and Mason Plumlee, who have helped to solidify the Clippers’ rotations. Plumlee’s presence has reduced the reliance on smaller, more defensively vulnerable bench combinations, while Tyronn Lue can once again work with three-guard lineups of Gordon, Hyland and Norman Powell.
Kawhi Leonard has praised the team’s new look, saying that it has given Zubac a chance to get some rest instead of playing big minutes. Paul George has also weighed in, noting that the team needs to find an identity that will carry them through the playoffs.
The team has already seen a surge in their ball movement and passing game since the new additions, with a season-high 33 assists against Golden State. Hyland has been praised for his instinct to push the ball up the court and his ability to create his own shot.
The Clippers have all the pieces they need to make a run in the playoffs, but they will need to find their identity and consistency if they want to make a deep run. With the All-Star break over, the Clippers have just 21 games to get ready for the postseason.