Clippers coach Ty Lue fired up to prove doubters wrong after Paul George's exit
Ty Lue is excited for the new-look LA Clippers to get to work ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. The team saw key losses in Paul George and Russell Westbrook this offseason, leaving many to believe the championship window has closed for the team in a loaded Western Conference.
In an interview with ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk on Wednesday, Lue highlighted his excitement to show what his team can do despite losing the two stars.
"When you lose a guy of Paul George's stature, instantly people think, 'Oh they can't win or they're not going to be competitive,'" Lue said. "But that just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don't think we're going to be good. ... I can't wait to prove everybody wrong."
Expectations around the Clippers decreased exponentially after Paul George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, but Ty Lue remains confident in his team led by Kawhi Leonard.
Ty Lue gives reassuring news about Kawhi Leonard's status ahead of training camp
Kawhi Leonard has been plagued by knee injuries throughout his career, and the Clippers superstar appeared to have reaggravated an injury in his brief time with Team USA in Paris at the Olympics.
After leaving Team USA, Leonard's availability for training camp was up in the air until Ty Lue provided a reassuring update on his star player during his interview with Ohm Youngmisuk.
Last season, Kawhi Leonard played in his highest amount of games since the 2016-17 NBA season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists, re-establishing himself as one of the NBA's top defensive players.
With the pairing of James Harden alongside Leonard, the Clippers have a solid duo in place that gives Ty Lue his confidence in the team this season.
The Clippers' front office shifted its focus from the Leonard-George pairing to the Leonard-Harden pairing, signing Harden to a two-year, $70 million deal in the offseason and Leonard to a three-year, $153 million deal during the season last year.
Entering the new season, lowered expectations could prove helpful for a Clippers squad looking to remain in the title hunt.