Los Angeles Clippers: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season

4. Season-ending injury

As part of the trade that sent CP3 to Houston, point guard Patrick Beverley was sent to Los Angeles.

A two-time All-Defensive Team member, Beverley is best known for his tenacity and willingness to invade opponents’ personal space on the defensive end. He relishes the opportunity to shut down the NBA’s elite point guards, often confronting them mid-game about doing so.

Sadly, a right knee injury suffered in November required surgery, ending his season prematurely.

While Beverly should be ready to go by training camp for 2018-19, his defensive presence was sorely missed on a nightly basis against a revolving door of elite point guards.

With Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Damian Lillard all in the Western Conference, having a defender capable of making things difficult for the full 48 minutes could’ve been the difference between a win and a loss on some nights.

His in-your-face attitude was also really fun to watch, as it led to confrontations and a heightened intensity with his matchup.

Remember Lonzo Ball‘s debut? Beverley made the rookie’s life a living nightmare, sticking to him before the ball was even inbounded, even shoving him to the ground and calling him a certain five-letter word.

Seeing stuff like that pop up on Twitter was always entertaining, and it’s something the league and Clippers fans are going to have to wait till next season to witness again.