Dave Reardon: Clippers approaching UH training camp as business trip
One day and a six-hour plane ride put the Los Angeles Clippers’ long-term problems on the back burner.
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On Monday, the Clippers addressed questions at their Media Day in Inglewood, Calif., about the news of massive sanctions stemming from an NBA investigation of bending and breaking of salary cap rules involving Kawhi Leonard, who is now with Toronto. The team was fined $30 million, owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from team and league activities for a year, and other executives were suspended. Leonard was also fined, $700,000.
On Tuesday it was a fresh start for the Clippers’ players, coaches and staff at the University of Hawaii’s Gym II. They began the Hawaii phase of their training camp that culminates with Sunday’s exhibition game against the Golden State Warriors at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center, a few feet away from where they practice.
“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” guard Darius Garland said of being in Hawaii. “Beach across the street.”
Garland also said Coach Tyronn Lue emphasized to the team it’s a business trip.
“Take it seriously, we’re not going to be here long. Take it as a professional,” Garland said, when asked what Lue told the players.
“We’re going to control what we can control,” guard Max Strus said in response to one of the few questions Tuesday about the sanctions.
Lue is more concerned with finding the right five starters from his current roster than he is the loss of five future draft picks that is part of the sanctions.
He did not specify how many and which, but said that some starting spots are locked up while others are not.
“Yeah for sure, got some new players,” Lue said. “Guys will get opportunities to compete for starting jobs. … It’s not really about the best players, it’s about the best fit (to start).”
It is presumed that Garland is one of the locks to be on the court for tip-off. He averaged 19.9 points in 19 games (17 starts) with the Clippers after a trade for James Harden brought him and a second round draft pick from Cleveland last season.
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Garland implied Tuesday that the Clippers will improve from last year’s 42-40 season that ended with them being ousted in the postseason play-in tournament by the Warriors.
“I think we’re going to shock a lot of people,” Garland, a two-time All-Star with the Cavs, said Tuesday.
It would be a shock to some, considering it would mean the combined 18-time All-Stars Harden and Leonard would be addition by subtraction.
Lue has said he wanted a younger team, and now he has one.
But several players limped into camp and might not be ready to play when the season starts. That includes forward Brandon Ingram, a two-time All-Star who averaged 21.5 points last year, before he was acquired in a trade with Toronto for Leonard. He is recovering from Achilles and heel injuries.
Ingram’s absence will put more pressure on Garland.
“A lot is on DG’s shoulders, (but) he has the ability to control the whole room,” Strus said in reference to Garland’s leadership skills.
They were teammates with Cleveland for three years, where Strus played just 12 games last season because of a broken foot.
Strus is an undrafted eighth-year pro who has averaged 25.5 minutes per game for his career. He credits much of his development to coaching from UH legend Anthony Carter when they reached the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat in 2023.
“I’ve been a part of winning everywhere I’ve been. … One of the hardest things to do is have a group of guys who all play hard,” said Strus, who added that the Clippers have that kind of energy.
