“Kawhi and James could have easily given up”

Ten days ago, Tyronn Lue set a course for his Clippers : « Our priority is to try and reach a 35-20 record by the end of the season and continue to pile on the wins. »

A win ratio that, combined with their record to start the season (6w-21d), would see them finish the season with as many wins as losses (41w-41d). A limit of “35-20” that would be blown behind the scenes by James Harden.

« He said he said that?! », Tyronn Lue wonderssmile, when the reporter reports to him that the bearded man suggested that he would be the source of this numerical goal. It doesn’t matter who did it though, because the Californians have since started winning again.

By blowing up the Kings last nightThe Clippers recorded their 5th win in a row to improve their record to 11 wins and 21 losses. With, at the heart of this record, notable wins against the Rockets and Pistons, in addition to last night’s collective explosion.

« We are moving forward collectively and understanding what we need to do. Our backs were against the wall, and our guys responded. I pay a lot of respect to Kavhi (Leonard) and James », greets the coach, who also points out the great defensive influence of Chris Dunn.

Stay positive despite the downturn

Against the Kings, the bearded man went about his business – 21 points and 5 assists without a turnover – while “Claw”, who just tied a career high, was again impressive on offense: 33 points (11/19 shooting including 5/9 from distance), 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

« I’m really proud. Our two best players, the way they reacted, they could have easily given up. We weren’t going to let that happen », continues the coach, according to whom his staff played a key role in making the group, who seems to be recovering from the Chris Paul episodestay” positive ».

« Optimism was what got us through it all. There were many hard nights, many hard losses. But staying positive, staying with this group… The group continued to work. And then, when you work, you get results like this. We are going in the right direction » says Lue, whose training was in complete disarray.

« Trent (Redden, le GM) et Lawrence (Frank, President) talked about it during this period, and they said that we have to start again, not to focus on 6v-21d, but to start from scratch, from the first day, the first match. And so my boys managed to put it behind them “, the coach said again.

This streak shouldn’t make us forget the reality of the Clippers, who are still stuck in 13th place in the West. But the Californians, who can congratulate themselves for showing the best dynamic in the current league, have a chance to get closer to the qualification places by beating the Jazz tomorrow, ahead of them in the table.