Los Angeles Clippers Players Don’t Like Each Other
By Marcus Bass
The Los Angeles Clippers issues aren’t on the court; the real problem lies in the locker room.
At least that’s what the ongoing rumor claims.
The words “lack of trust” and “focus” have been the primary culprits of a disappointing and unexpected Clippers season. It’s clear they’re missing certain key ingredients needed for a championship recipe. The Clippers’ 21-11 record gives greater credence to the aforementioned.
If there’s anything the majority of NBA teams need (championship contenders or otherwise), it’s chemistry. This season the Clippers have underachieved, struggling to compete with good NBA teams and some bad ones. When there’s a hint of players having a lack of affinity for each other, it’s typically devastating to a season. While the Clippers have shown flashes of contention-style play, there’s been something missing.
Perhaps there’s smoke to the rumor that the Clippers players are having personality issues. NBA.com’s David Aldridge introduces a drum of gasoline to get a full-on fire blazing. Aldridge says,
"“Is it personnel, or is it personal? Here’s the unvarnished opinion of someone who knows that team well: They don’t like each other.”"
Regardless as to if there’s any truth to the rumor, at the moment it’s believable.
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Last season the Clippers were one of the few teams who routinely defeated opposing teams with their chemistry. Rivers’ squad sat in the top 10 of a few statistical categories including a league-high 107.9 points per game. Their pace of play equaled 95.9 to rank seventh, and the defense allowed 104.8 buckets per 100 possessions. Good enough to be ranked ninth in defensive rating.
One season later the Clippers are without Darren Collison, Danny Granger, Willie Green, Jared Dudley and Ryan Hollins. Nice guys, but not the glue responsible for keeping any team together. However, they’re currently fourth in points per game (106.3), 20th in points allowed (101.1) and 19th in defensive rating (107). There hasn’t been any significant subtraction or additions to the club, leaving the Clippers with a lack of scapegoats.
If the Clippers can’t regain the bubbly atmosphere present in previous seasons, there’s likely to be changes. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are still the cornerstones of the team. Steve Ballmer would relinquish ownership back to Donald Sterling before the Clippers trade either. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is another of head coach Doc Rivers‘ favorites, but the remaining cast is expendable.
Should winning be the cure-all and solution for a potential chemistry issue, Rivers might elect to shuffle the deck. The Clips have already flirted with the idea of trading reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. J.J. Redick‘s inconsistent shooting could net him the Jared Dudley treatment by summer. Both are valuable trade pieces, capable of bringing in a player capable of restoring balance, wherever the Clips need it.
Still the Clippers have had their “trust” issues. In every loss and stretch of inconsistent play, it’s becoming increasingly convincing that this group doesn’t like playing together. They’ve been losing leads late in games and playing with a lack of energy. With every exhibition of high-level play we’ve come to expect, there’s an equal collection of examples suggesting they’re uninterested.
How can Clippers head coach Doc Rivers fix that? Usually, a prescription for locker room turmoil is winning, however 21 wins haven’t been enough thus far. With a quarter of the season gone, the Clippers need to regain the camaraderie that propelled them to league elite. If they’re to regain championship form … if they’re at all interested.