NFL
By: Stephen Garner
On Christmas, somewhat lost in the multitude of news breaking as well as game action was ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski’s update on Clippers star forward Paul George.
Los Angeles Clippers All-Star F Paul George has a torn ligament in his right elbow and will be re-evaluated in 3-to-4 weeks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 25, 2021
George (24.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.5 APG) started the season strong, on the short-list for MVP candidates through the first 3-4 weeks.
What Paul George is doing to start the season deserves WAY more attention, as he's been a top 4-6 player in the league. He's doing so with an increased workload no-less, on both ends of the floor
– 2nd in scoring (27.9)
– 2nd in steals (3.0)
– 7th in deflections (4.0) pic.twitter.com/Qj1Jg8rAia— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) November 6, 2021
However, inconsistencies combined with injury saw him fall from that tier of play he enjoyed early.
The Clippers were, at the time of the news, 17-15, but had a very middling balance to their attack.
On the season, they’re now 17-17 (0-2 with losses to the Nuggets and Nets since the news broke) and have mismatch ranks that entail their mediocre returns so far.
They are currently:
- 24th in offense (106.8 PPG per 100 possessions)
- 4th in defense (106.6 PA per 100 possessions)
In this 3-to-4 week window, they’ll be not only sans George, but also Kawhi Leonard and three or so more games without Reggie Jackson as he’s in the leagues Health and Safety Protocols.
Though still early in the season, they’re now in dire straits.
The crossroads they’re at poses two possible solutions. They could hold serve and remain around the .500 mark that they’re presently in 6th place with, or slip to the brink of Play-In contention.
As they trek ahead the schedule becomes arduous, especially for a team as withered as they presently are.
This 17-game January slate is daunting.
Coach Tyronn Lue has had his hands tied essentially all season, but will have to bank on the efforts of his veterans, namely Marcus Morris Sr.
“Mook” returned from clearing Health and Safety Protocols last night versus Brooklyn, and had his third consecutive solid showing.
Over the last 3 games he’s played, he’s averaging 24 points on 53/47/85 shooting as well as 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
He’s been a player they run their offense through and he’s been up to the task when available. Lue and company will need his continued consistency in this stretch to give themselves a chance.
Long-term Implications
After Kawhi Leonard’s partial ACL tear, sustained on June 14th in game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals versus Utah, there were questions as to when we’d see him return to action.
A typically 8 to 12-month timetable in recovery, it was assumed he wouldn’t be back in 2021-2022.
However, an interesting caveat, adverse to that popular belief, surfaced last week in their game versus Sacramento.
ESPN and SAC PBP announcer Mark Jones on the Kings broadcast says: "I spoke with [Kawhi] Leonard last week and he has thoughts of perhaps coming back to this team this year before the season's over"
— Lucas (system, player) (@LucasJHann) December 23, 2021
If there is any percentage of a change that he COULD return this season, how they emerge from this 17-game month of January is going to play heavily in if it’s worth bringing him back in a seeming somewhat rushed manner or not.
Also of note, Kawhi is well-known to take his time in recovery.
There is a lot that will be made of the Clippers in this next months worth of games. As we inch closer to the halfway mark of the season, keep them in mind. The fate of their season could be determined within this stretch.
They have a scrappy bunch of players on their roster, who have thoroughly impressed me with the game to game consistency they’ve showed in collective heart and want to, a testament to coach Lue and their new culture, and they’re sure to show plenty more fight regardless of the outcomes.
Where it positions them will be the thing to see.
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