The Los Angeles Clippers have had a mixed season so far and are not the team the owners hoped they would be in 2024-25.
The LA Clippers new Intuit Dome arena is the home for the non-Lakers LA team, who are forging ahead trying to find their own identity.
Featuring a new ‘Wall’ section in the arena aimed at encouraging the fans to be as vocal as possible, what spectators really need is something to shout about.
James Harden inspired the Clippers to a 113-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs last night, but the team still have a losing record.
It was their first home victory after going 0-4 in the Intuit Dome, with the team doing their best to play without star player Kawhi Leonard.
Clippers battling without Kawhi Leonard
LA based boss of The Ringer, Bill Simmons, visited the Clippers new stadium for the first time to see their blowout loss against the unbeaten Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking on his podcast, Simmons had positive words for the new stadium, praising it’s design: “Thumbs up. They did a great job. It’s in this new era of arenas that they actually put real thought into. Where it’s like, oh, if I’m in the corner, it’s actually a good seat because I’m facing the court in the right direction.”
Simmons pointed out that the LA Clippers team was not equipped to match the quality of the stadium, especially on a night where they lost 105-92 to the Thunder.
He also pointed out that the visible presence of Kawhi Leonard at the arena only served to make matters worse.
“A couple of fans were pretty bummed about the team though. I mean, Kawhi’s… I know Kawhi probably feels like he has to go, but it’s kind of a bummer to see him.
“Because it’s like… This is kind of the reason this team sucks is because they went all in on your extension and traded all this ____ for you and Paul George, and now Paul George is gone.
“And you are just kind of here as this Grim Reaper shadow to remind everybody that you’re not playing anymore.”
Kawhi Leonard injury problems
Kawhi Leonard was an active part of the Clippers pre-season, but before the regular season began, he was ruled out of action with an injury.
Leonard has not played a single minute this season, and it is unclear when the superstar might return.
He is one of the NBA’s best players, leading the Raptors to a title in 2019, before the Clippers made a big trade to bring him in.
Yet the Clippers’ big trade has not been successful. Even though Leonard played 68 games last season, he featured in just two play-off games. Stephen A. Smith branded Leonard as the NBA’s worst superstar amid the concerns over his availability.
The Clippers have tried to work around his absence this season, but the team has struggled on defense.
Beating the Spurs is nothing to get excited about. All it means is the two teams now share the same 3-4 record.
This does not look like the type of team who will be able to challenge in the post-season. At least not without Kawhi Leonard.
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