At the start of his third season with the LA Clippers, head coach Tyronn Lue has a difficult yet rewarding choice to make. With championship expectations and the talent to match, he’s faced with two excellent options for his starting point guard position. One is a star past his prime with his first true shot at contending while the other is a core member of the team’s recent success.
Conflicting reports have come out of an NBA Preseason in which the esteemed coach tried both players in each role, evaluating their fit to decide who should be the first man up. At the end of the day, the LA Clippers are in a position to contend for the NBA Finals regardless of who starts, but this decision might be the difference between a defining moment in league history or another ‘What If?’
The LA Clippers have the best kind of conundrum in deciding between starters.
From the early onset, it appeared as if Reggie Jackson will be the starting point guard to begin the season — although that’s since been refuted by Lue himself. It’s a decision that will come down to the wire with the Clippers set to face their rival Los Angeles Lakers in a Thursday night season debut. Following a year lost to injury, superstar Kawhi Leonard is back in the lineup along with his self-proclaimed No. 2, Paul George.
. @AndrewGreif: “There was a report yesterday that you guys are expecting to start Reggie Jackson. You reached a decision?”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 16, 2022
Tyronn Lue: “I haven’t. I don’t know where it came from. I didn’t say it. We haven’t been ready to release that yet so it didn’t come from me.” pic.twitter.com/OHEpm5hEAR
Just a few years ago, you’d think of a headlining trio comprised of Kawhi, George and John Wall as one of, if not the single most fearsome team in basketball. That might still be the case, but at the same time, Wall is a bit of an unknown right now. His body has been through hell and back – although he has openly expressed that he feels healthy and motivated for the first time in years.
One way or another, the Clippers will be in fantastic shape with Jackson and Wall running point guard by committee.