SAN DIEGO — You win a championship? You got to Disneyland, presumably.
Finish one series short of the Finals? Run it back, mostly.
To hear them tell it, the Clippers are thrilled to return most of the core that fought its way into the Western Conference finals last season for the first time in franchise history.
Yes, there is a glaring hole in the lineup where Kawhi Leonard should be, but there isn’t anything the Clippers can do about that except to wait patiently for their star’s surgically repaired right anterior cruciate ligament to heal.
In the meantime, there are also a few key additions who the Clippers hope will fill the void – none more intriguing than returning Clipper Eric Bledsoe.
Coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday before the first practice session at training camp at San Diego State’s JAM Center that, at least coming in, he envisions the 31-year-old Bledsoe as part of the starting lineup, alongside Paul George, Ivica Zubac, Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris Sr.
An explosive 6-foot-1 guard who defends and rebounds well, Bledsoe began his career with the Clippers in 2010. He played in L.A. through the 2012-13 season before being traded to Phoenix, where he spent four seasons before joining Milwaukee and, last season, New Orleans.
There have been seismic changes in Clipper Nation since Bledsoe’s first stint in L.A. – starting at the top. Steve Ballmer purchased the team for $2 billion in 2014 after the NBA forced out disgraced former owner Donald Sterling.
And although the Clippers had winning records in two of Bledsoe’s first three seasons, the competitive expectations weren’t nearly as high as they are now that the organization’s stated desire is to put a “sustainable” championship contender on the court.
“When I first got here, we was pretty much in rebuild mode,” Bledsoe recalled Monday during media day at the Clippers’ practice facility in Playa Vista. “As the years went on, the organization definitely (worked) its way to high expectations. They’ve got expectations now.”
And the Clippers expect Bledsoe, who has averaged 14 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in his career, can help get them closer. That’s why they brought him back this season via another trade, one that sent Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu to Memphis.
Lue said Bledsoe will be a “big factor” this season, especially as it pertains to improved pacing, which was going to be one of the focuses of Lue’s lesson plans Tuesday.
“He’s gonna be a big boost for us,” Lue said of Bledsoe, who averaged 17.7 points per game in 2017-18, but has trailed off some since, averaging 12.2 points last season. “I think he’ll be able to push that pace and push that tempo, and get guys easy shots. That’s what we have to do in transition.”
That sounds good to Bledsoe, who wanted it to be known that he appreciates his opportunity with the Clippers and that he believes he’ll be all kinds of useful.
“I’m coming in as a veteran player now in a different role … just help the team out the best way I can,” said Bledsoe, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, who played at Kentucky. “Whether guarding the best player one night, spot up next night, get downhill, whatever the case is, cheering my teammates on. So whatever the case may be, that’s what I’m going to do.”Although Lue joked that NBA veterans are rarely especially enthusiastic about getting back on the practice court during training camp, Jackson said he was eager to start building chemistry with his new backcourt mate.
“Honestly, we need a guy who can really get downhill for us and attack guys,” said Jackson, who spent time getting loose before practice began Tuesday alongside Bledsoe and fellow guard Luke Kennard, shooting and chatting. “It will help us getting (opponents) in foul trouble, it will help get the ball hopping, he does a great job probing, making plays. I mean he’s been here (in the NBA) for a long time for a reason and we’re happy to welcome him back to the Clippers.
“I can’t wait to actually get on the court with him and play against him, competing and working out a little bit together. To actually get the season underway is going to be fun.”
Reggie Jackson on how he thinks Eric Bledsoe will fit: "I should ask him how he envisions me fitting in. I mean he’s the elder statesman as a Clipper. I see him fitting in amazing … he’s been a hell of a player in this league and he’s had an 11-plus year career for a reason." https://t.co/q3dcPEK7mj
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) September 28, 2021
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