LA Clippers: Lineups and managing minutes will determine level of success in 2019-20

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: A behind the scenes photo of Kawhi Leonard #2, Patrick Beverley #21, Paul George #13, Lou Williams #23 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers at media day on September 29, 2019 at the Honey Training Center: Home of the LA Clippers in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: A behind the scenes photo of Kawhi Leonard #2, Patrick Beverley #21, Paul George #13, Lou Williams #23 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers at media day on September 29, 2019 at the Honey Training Center: Home of the LA Clippers in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Storyline No. 2: How healthy are Paul George’s shoulders?

Paul George sought to avenge his first-round struggles against Portland over the summer with surgery on both shoulders. The discomfort was evident in that five-game defeat, where he shot just 43.6 percent from the field and 31.9 from distance, but the rehab process has the danger of lingering into the season.

As per the most recent updates, PG is likely to miss most if not all of LA’s training camp, putting his status for the opening-night battle against the Los Angeles Lakers in question. He’ll make his way back to the court one way or another, probably before November, but that clean bill of health he might have in the present won’t necessarily translate to the future.

Most surgeries are the result of an injury incurred at a specific moment, but George’s shoulders are an alarming exception. The best season of his career was also the most taxing, where a career-high in shot attempts broke his body down in a way that could only be withstood for so long.

Having a teammate the caliber of Kawhi Leonard will provide George of some clearly-needed relief offensively, as will reigning two-time Sixth Man of the Year winner Lou Williams.

There will come a time, though, where a certain level of responsibilities will be thrust onto George. If he isn’t physically capable of handling the rigors of an expected long playoff run, the Clippers’ title-hopes diminish significantly without the co-star to aid Kawhi.