2. Establish an Identity

With the exit of Chris Paul in the 2017 offseason, the only identity the Clippers really ever had in “Lob City” exited Staples Center. The Clippers will forever be L.A.’s younger brother of an NBA team. The Lakers have won ring after ring and the Clips are synonymous with mediocrity. Now with Lebron James’ arrival in L.A., the Clips are going to take even more of a back-seat in the consciousness of local and national NBA fans everywhere. Therefore, establishing an identity is important for the future of this franchise.

The Clippers do have a lot of talent across the board although they don’t have an established star. Tobias Harris is the obvious choice for best player on the squad but not far behind him is 2-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner, Lou Williams and if Gallinari is healthy he can also get buckets.

The offensive identity will be tricky to establish with a lack of a true go-to system. Before it was all dunks and fast breaks, now it’s more set plays and mid-to-long range jumpers. It was once get the ball to Blake Griffin in the high post and have him create. Now it’s getting the ball to Lou or Harris on the wing and running an extension of the set play already run. It was once pick-and-roll with Deandre Jordan and have him rim run. Now it’s pick-and roll with Harrell and have him try to fight inside. Definitely different from years past.

They’ve adapted to the new league trend of deep balls in a way where long jumpers take precedence to interior play. However, they don’t have go-to three-point shooters like they did once upon a time with JJ Redick. So where do they go from here?

I think establishing a defensive identity is important and could be this team’s bread and butter moving forward. With two lauded perimeter defenders in Beverley and Bradley in the starting lineup and Mbah a Moute on the bench, this new tag of “Clamp City” could take effect. SGA is also a 6’6” rangy point guard who put on a defensive clinic in the Summer League and looks to be a magnet for steals.

The other side of this, however, is that the Clippers have no strong interior defensive presence. Gortat is solid but not great. Harrell is a high-energy player who can play great D but is also only 6’8”. Boban Marjanovic is obviously a lot to handle in the paint but is limited to few minutes because of stamina issues and lack of footwork.

I think this team will be better than the 23rd ranked defense they were post-Blake trade but giving them the term “Clamp City” might be a stretch.

I think the identity the Clippers need will probably have to wait a year. They will have ton’s of cap space available next year and will be gunning for multiple big name free-agents. Maybe if Kawhi Leonard comes next year they truly can become “Clamp City” with his added defensive presence. Only time will tell with this one.

Next Up: Goal 1