The Los Angeles Clippers have no shortage of star power on their roster, but their age and injury concerns don’t inspire the most confidence in their chances of going the distance.
The Los Angeles Clippers took the Denver Nuggets to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, and promptly got busy this offseason, adding win-now talent around James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac.
Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, and John Collins all joined the roster, bolstering their title odds, although there is just one problem: it’s not 2018, and most of those players are long past their primes, drawing concern about their durability through an 82-game season.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesClippers compared to the Philadelphia 76ers
Last summer, the Philadelphia 76ers went all-in on the aging Paul George, frequently injured Joel Embiid, and the already injury-prone Tyrese Maxey. On paper, that team should have competed for a title, but their health slowed them down, finishing 24-58.
With an average age of 34.8 years, the Clippers might be in the same boat as last year’s Sixers.
“I believe that this team could go like Philly last year, or this team could go and win a championship,” said Richard Jefferson. “That’s their spectrum, where they could have injuries, they could, right, just based off of what we know, and we also could see this team go and win a championship.”
Like the 76ers, it’s impossible to deny that the Clippers have incredible talent, but their reliability and durability remain a major concern.
“Historically, when the average age of your team is closer to receiving their pension than they are being drafted, it’s not a good sign,” Jefferson added.
If their stars can all play 60 or more games and be healthy heading into the playoffs, LA could be title favorites, but things could go south fast.
Clippers are prepared for injuries to pile up
Unlike the 76ers, the Clippers didn’t spend the vast majority of their salary cap on three players. Yes, Harden and Leonard will both make well over $35 million next season, but Zubac, Beal, Paul, Lopez, Bogdan Bogdanović, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kris Dunn are all on affordable, team-friendly deals.
The Clippers have one of the top medical staffs in the league, so managing injuries, while a constant battle, won’t be impossible.
On top of that, with reliable players like Bogdanovic, Jones Jr., Dunn, Paul, and Nicolas Batum coming off the bench, if any of the starters go down with injury, the Clippers have the depth to make up for their loss.
Now, if Harden and Leonard both miss over 30 games, the Clippers might be in trouble, but after managing Leonard’s health last season successfully, there is reason to have faith in Los Angeles.