Storyline No. 1: What does the starting lineup look like?
As well as the Clippers will be able to supplement both injuries and DNPs throughout the season, their surplus of talent creates multiple lineup scenarios Doc Rivers will have to sort through.
In the era of small-ball, LA would be wise to have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George occupy both forward spots. But given the physical demands of the power forward position, the space and versatility such a move would create might not sit well with the one who has to deal with its repercussions.
Despite playing 74 percent of his career minutes at the small forward spot, Paul George was primarily a 2-guard during his first two years with the Indiana Pacers. LA could opt for a bigger lineup by pushing him back to where it all started, but doing so would shrink the court and make it difficult for the two stars to manufacture points.
Considering the prowess of sixth men Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, those who start aren’t guaranteed to be the ones who finish, allowing Rivers an experimental period to determine his ideal lineups.
For the sake of the consistency athletes hold so dear, LA would be better off ironing out its starting five — and by extension, its bench rotation — ASAP. In a Western Conference where just a single game can slide one down the standings, it could make all the difference when the playoffs begin.