The LA Clippers owner supports their new players, even with their 3-4 start to the season

Paul George’s departure from the Los Angeles Clippers stung the team, but team owner Steve Ballmer said he’s pleased with how the team has fared this season. Despite suffering several heartbreaking losses, the Clippers have shown plenty of fight and grit, especially on the defensive end, and credit must be given to their newest additions.

A DEFENSE-FIRST IDENTITY

With PG departing for the Philadelphia 76ers and Kawhi Leonard sitting on the sidelines, recovering from a knee injury, the Clippers have had few bona fide scoring options. This meant transitioning to a defense-first approach cultivated by assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy and carried out by several defensive-minded players, such as Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., and Nicolas Batum. The result? The team currently ranks seventh in the NBA in defensive rating.

“The truth is, with Paul not coming back, we were able to upgrade our team. We don’t [sign] Derrick Jones Jr. if Paul comes back. We don’t [sign] Kris Dunn [or have] our new defensive identity. Might not have [signed] Kevin Porter Jr., Nico [Batum],” Ballmer said.

HARDEN SAID N🚫PE! pic.twitter.com/Tvk257jbBz

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 7, 2024

HARD-NOSED PLAYERS

PG’s versatility was undoubtedly elite, and the role players that the Clippers brought in won’t replicate his production. However, they bring intense defense and hustle to 1make up for it-qualities lacking in the past. “We were able to get three tough guys, hard-playing guys. And we can still make ourselves better consistently. So it was the right choice for us,” Steve stated. Additionally, Ballmer emphasized he holds no ill will toward PG, as evidenced by the video tribute they showed at the Intuit Dome.

Paul George's tribute video from the Clippers. He helped lead the team to its first Western Conference Finals ever, and deserved the applause he received pic.twitter.com/5NesgkmhDw

— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) November 7, 2024

“Paul thought it was the right choice for him. I’ll miss him. He is a perfect human; I like him a lot, except when they play us. I wish him all the best, just not when they play us. And he was a good Clipper,” Ballmer expressed.