{"id":10248,"date":"2017-10-03T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2017-10-03T12:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=10248"},"modified":"2017-10-06T14:49:26","modified_gmt":"2017-10-06T18:49:26","slug":"countdown-nba-tip-off-los-angeles-clippers-season-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/10\/03\/countdown-nba-tip-off-los-angeles-clippers-season-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to NBA Tip-Off: Los Angeles Clippers Season Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a disappointing first round exit from the playoffs last season, the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> found themselves at a crossroads. Change was necessary. In the exciting off-season that followed, major personnel changes and front office adjustments were made. The Clippers now enter the 2017-2018 season a significantly different franchise. Will these changes positively impact the Clippers standing in the Western Conference? Here is the 2017-18 Los Angeles Clippers season preview.<\/p>\n

Countdown to NBA Tip-Off: Los Angeles Clippers Season Preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What Worked Last Season<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Clippers\u2019 2016-2017 season was disappointing to say the least. Bright spots here and there, but overall, the franchise faced a number of obstacles and fell short of expectations.\u00a0 Not much worked for the team; both player chemistry and coaching quality were way off.\u00a0 One player that stood out for his overall improvement, however, was Austin Rivers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Rivers continues to be one of the most maligned and under-rated players in the NBA.\u00a0 His accomplishments are often overshadowed by rumors of favoritism from his father, Clippers\u2019 head coach Doc Rivers<\/a><\/strong>. Kevin Durant<\/a> recently described him as “irrationally confident”<\/a>; a trait that sometimes makes him difficult to appreciate. Nonetheless, and regardless how you feel about Austin, it is undeniable that he demonstrated tremendous improvement during the 2016-2017 season.<\/p>\n

Off-season work with Sam Cassell<\/a><\/strong> and J.J. Redick<\/a><\/strong> paid off for Rivers, who finished the season with career high averages of 12 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.\u00a0 He shot a respectable 44.2% from the field, 37.1% from deep, and 69.1% from the free throw line, also career highs. \u00a0Rivers\u2019 improved ability to finish at the rim, reliability as a wing defender, and solid ball handling skills were particularly noteworthy.\u00a0 The then 24-year-old looked an awful lot like Chris Paul<\/a><\/strong> at times, with his controlled weaving in and out of the lane while running the Clippers\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n

Rivers\u2019 similarities to Paul came in handy when Paul was inactive in January and February due to injury. The Clippers relied on Rivers heavily during that time. Rivers also effectively filled scoring voids when Redick and Jamal Crawford<\/a><\/strong> experienced mid-season slumps. \u00a0In 29 starts for the Clippers, which came across all three perimeter positions, Rivers averaged a respectable 16 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n