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The LA Clippers reached their first Conference finals in their history during the 2021 NBA playoffs. Their memorable run came to an end at the hands of eventual finalists the Phoenix Suns, who took advantage of playing an undermanned Clippers side.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Steve Ballmer-owned team can take multiple positives from an objectively brilliant season.
5 factors which will indicate that the LA Clippers will have a stellar 2021-22 NBA season
The LA Clippers possess one of the best star pairings in the league in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. They are also a balanced side on both ends of the court.
Apart from these factors, the Clippers can also ponder these takeaways as they prepare for the 2021-22 NBA season:
#5 - Terance Mann's emergence
Terance Mann announced himself to the NBA fraternity with a terrific 39-point effort against the Utah Jazz in a closeout game in the Western Conference semi-finals.
The Jazz held a double-digit lead over the LA Clippers till the fourth quarter, but a career-high from Mann helped Tyronn Lue's side secure their place in the Conference finals.
Terance Mann has taken major strides this season, adding an offensive dimension to his game. Mann's ability on the defensive end was never in question, as the youngster is adept at playing lockdown defense on opposition wings and guards.
Mann looks like a player who could blossom into a key asset for the LA Clippers, and he will be one to keep an eye on going into next season.
#4 - The LA Clippers possess a good core of role players
The LA Clippers are one of the most versatile teams in the NBA. They can play small or big, matching up according to their opposition.
They have personnel suited to both perimeter and post-based approaches, which very few other franchises can claim to have.
The Clippers have Luke Kennard, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac, Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverley as a part of their role player core. Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum are free agents, but there is a high probability of the duo returning.
The jury is still out on DeMarcus Cousins, but it would certainly serve the LA Clippers well if the veteran center comes back for another campaign.
#3 - Paul George's brilliant playoff run
One could argue that no player played better than Paul George until the Conference finals juncture of the 2021 NBA playoffs. George scored 20+ points for 18 consecutive postseason games, becoming just the fourth player to do so.
He carried the team on his back after Kawhi Leonard went down with an injury against the Utah Jazz, going as far as taking two games from a strong Phoenix Suns side.
George averaged 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists during a memorable playoff run, with an effective field goal percentage of 50.9%.
He also did his due diligence on the defensive end, guarding the opposition's perimeter threats and registering a steal per game.
#2 - They have one of the best coaches in the league in Tyronn Lue
Tyronn Lue's tactical flexibility was on full display during the LA Clippers series vs the Utah Jazz, where he practically challenged his counterpart Quin Snyder to take three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert off the floor.
Snyder didn't oblige, and the LA Clippers took full advantage of the matchup, playing a small, shooting-oriented lineup throughout Games 5 and 6.
Tyronn Lue has a 10-3 record in elimination games, and no other NBA coach even comes close to that kind of record. The LA Clippers are blessed to have one of the great modern NBA coaches, which should fill them with confidence heading into the 2021-22 NBA campaign.
#1 - Kawhi Leonard will likely exercise his player option
Before he was sidelined with an injury, Kawhi Leonard was tearing teams apart in the 2021 NBA playoffs. In 11 games, Leonard averaged a stellar 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 57% shooting from the field.
Leonard is a two-way threat and is arguably one of the top-five players in the league. He has a player option in his contract for the 2021-22 season, but recent NBA rumors suggest that there is a likelihood of him exercising it and running it back with the LA Clippers.
If Leonard does indeed decide to spend another year with the LA Clippers, they will be one of the most formidable sides next season.
Also Read: 3 reasons why New York Knicks should feel confident going into the 2021 NBA off-season
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