Los Angeles Clippers

Vegas Over/Under: 43.5

Fromal’s Record Projection: 42-40 The Bet: Prevent but lean under
The way you feel about this over/under likely depends on one key question: How simple is replacing Chris Paul?
The Los Angeles Clippers did a great job reloading after studying that Paul wanted a departure to the Houston Rockets. Not only did they manage to pry some funds away from his new home in a trade after he chosen in, however they also convinced Blake Griffin into re-sign before incorporating Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic into the fold.
This is a gifted roster with upside and ability at just about every position. It is far deeper than it has been in past years, though head coach Doc Rivers certainly didn’t want to acquire depth at the cost of his team’s best player.
And that is the problem.
Paul wasn’t only the engine that made the Clippers operate; he essentially was the Clippers.
Patrick Beverley and Teodosic should be solid replacements in the 1, but they can’t replicate his ability to run the offense perfectly.
Whether Paul was calling his own number or setting up teammates, he commanded the flow of the game as well as anyone. It’s the reason LAC was a shocking 19.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the ground in 2016-17, as well as why that he finished No. 2 overall in ESPN.com’s actual plus/minus, behind just LeBron James.
His work can not be replicated.

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