LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 25: Willie Cauley-Stein #33 of the Dallas Mavericks scores on a dunk past Nicolas Batum #33 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers in the third quarter during game two of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on May 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
The Clippers have lost two straight to open the NBA postseason and it appears the chemistry issues have returned.
The Los Angeles Clippers are allegedly one of the best teams in basketball. But the franchise has never made the Western Conference Finals and the team is now down 2-0 in the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks.
This is a team filled with big personalities and a ton of talent. The problem is that when the losing starts, they are known to crack. That appeared to be the case Tuesday night as the Clippers could not overcome the barrage of offense from Luka Doncic and company.
Clippers desperately need to regroup
There is no reason why the Clippers can’t climb out of this 2-0 hole. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are two legitimate NBA stars, while veteran Rajon Rondo posted a plus-13 in the Game 2 loss. The experience is there.
George is the player in focus when it comes to chemistry issues. He got the nickname “Pandemic P” in the bubble last year and was still rewarded with a $190 million extension. Fans and teammates expect him to live up to the money, so it makes sense for frustration to come up when he takes 22 shots and the team still loses.
A player like Rondo is going to speak his mind at all times. He is there to win and won’t shy away from calling out his coach or a star teammate. Some fans may see that as bad news, while others in Los Angeles may view it as a much-needed voice of reason.
Every team is going to be upset when losing in the playoffs. The thing with the Clippers is that losing and failed expectations have become the norm.
The Clippers now head to Dallas looking to make up for two bad games to start the playoffs. A third straight loss to go down 3-0 may be what finally dooms this team and begins another restart after so much promise just a few years ago when the process started over again.