Darian Vaziri here, the host of the daily Locked On Clippers podcast, with your daily Locked On Clippers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Clippers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Will Kawhi Return Against The Warriors?
Dec 21, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Kawhi Leonard looks on from the bench in street clothes during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones/Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard’s Return Delayed: Clippers Prepare for Warriors Showdown
The anticipation for Kawhi Leonard’s return to the Los Angeles Clippers lineup has been building, but fans will have to wait a bit longer. Despite earlier reports suggesting a possible comeback on December 27th against the Golden State Warriors, it appears Leonard won’t be suiting up for that game.
While this news might disappoint some, there’s no need to panic. The Clippers have proven themselves a formidable team even without Leonard, staying afloat in the competitive Western Conference. Our current roster has exceeded expectations, with players like Norman Powell stepping up significantly. Powell’s increased scoring output, along with the surprising defensive prowess of Kincade Wembanyama and the consistent performances of Ivica Zubac and James Harden, have kept us in the playoff picture.
The team’s resilience without Leonard is a testament to our depth and coaching. Ty Lue and his staff have done an exceptional job adapting to Leonard’s absence, crafting a style of play that maximizes our current personnel. This adaptability will serve us well when Leonard eventually returns, as we’ll have a solid foundation to build upon.
Looking ahead to the Warriors game, we’re in a good position to compete, with or without Leonard. Golden State has been struggling lately, going 5-11 since our last encounter. Their vulnerabilities are becoming more apparent, especially with Stephen Curry showing signs of fatigue and the team lacking a reliable secondary creator.
The Warriors’ internal struggles, highlighted by recent public criticisms from Steve Kerr towards younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandon Podziemski, contrast sharply with our team’s positive chemistry. This discord within the Warriors’ ranks could play to our advantage as we aim to secure another victory against them.
Our defensive prowess, which has been a highlight of our season so far, should match up well against the Warriors’ current offensive woes. With players like Zubac anchoring our defense and Harden orchestrating our offense, we have the tools to exploit Golden State’s weaknesses.
As we approach this game, our focus remains on continuing our strong team play and taking advantage of the opportunities presented. While Kawhi’s return will undoubtedly boost our team when it happens, our current success proves we’re more than capable of competing at a high level in the meantime.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Clippers’ strategies against the Warriors, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:
• Analysis of the Clippers’ upcoming schedule
• James Harden’s impressive performance compared to Stephen Curry
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) talk before the game at Chase Center. | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The ‘Things NBA fans get themselves worked up about’ category got a new entry this month, and it reached a fever pitch over the Christmas Day slate of games —ratings. Specifically, broadcast ratings.
It’s a subject Commissioner Adam Silver is often asked about in his pressers, especially those that precede the NBA’s tent-pole events like the In-Season Tournament, All-Star Weekend, the Finals, and Summer League. It also comes up around the annual Board of Governors meeting in early September. It makes sense for Silver to talk about it, given that he’s the league Commissioner, and because he’s been at the helm for broadcast contract negotiations and renegotiations. If this is all making your eyes cross, good, that helps to prove my point.
Silver, team owners, and broadcast executives are the only people who should care about the NBA’s broadcast ratings. It’s their job. Whether numbers are up or down should be of no concern to fans, casual or die-hard, because they ultimately have no bearing on the viewing experience, nor is it up to fans to “fix” anything.
Traditionally, this would’ve been self-evident, but in the contemporary era of fandom — especially NBA fandom — there’s a desire to critique and cosplay as team or league executives. Everything from down to the decimal point salary analysis in trade machinations, on-court performance and ways to improve athlete “production”, concerns for whether front offices are over-spending (they’re billionaires, they can afford it), and now, worries over marketing of the league.
Broadcast ratings are just one metric. The decline in “traditional” television ratings has more to do with how younger fans find and interact with basketball than with some phantom threat of malaise or disinterest. Cable is expensive, and younger audiences almost exclusively stream their sports. Case in point ESPN’s announcement on Christmas Day of an 84% spike in viewership, a day when many, many people head to their family home and have cable television to watch and plenty of free time on their hands.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Clippers’ head coach Ty Lue announced a new update on Kawhi Leonard’s injury status, emphasizing significant progress in Leonard’s recovery. Leonard is reportedly participating in more intensive workouts. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Kawhi Leonard will not join the Clippers on their upcoming road trip, as he requires more 5-on-5 practice sessions to regain full fitness. Leonard continues to focus on his recovery. (Daily News)
Analysis The Clippers showcased resilience and determination in their recent gritty road win against the Grizzlies. The team’s performance highlighted their ability to finish strong under pressure, a positive sign for their ongoing season. Clippers fans have plenty to be excited about. (Daily News)
Preview The Warriors will face off against the Clippers at the Chase Center at 10:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Friday, Dec. 27 | 7:00PM | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA | Get Tickets
Clippers @ Pelicans
Monday, Dec. 30 | 7:00PM | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA | Get Tickets
Clippers @ Spurs
Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 6:00PM | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Christmas Day Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Spectacular: Must-Adds and Droppable Players
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (right) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As we celebrate Christmas Day, it’s time for a fantasy basketball waiver wire spectacular. Let’s dive into the most added players, must-roster options, and those you can consider dropping.
The most added player over the last 48 hours is Trayce Jackson-Davis. With two solid games in a row and increased minutes, he’s a no-brainer add for now. Keep an eye on his playing time, as anything over 22 minutes makes him worth rostering.
Noah Clowney is another intriguing addition. His shooting has improved from his college days, and he’s getting significant minutes due to injuries. While I’m not sure he’ll provide top-70 value, he’s worth a look in most leagues.
When it comes to must-roster players (under 50% rostered on Yahoo), consider these options:
1. Goga Bitadze: Despite a recent ankle sprain and ejection, his floor has risen significantly.
2. Ben Simmons: Roster him now and worry about potential issues later.
3. Yves Missi: While I’m skeptical about his role when the Pelicans are fully healthy, he should be rostered for now.
4. Bilal Coulibaly: After a cold streak, he’s regained his form and confidence.
5. Ayo Dosunmu: Although I have limited faith in his long-term upside, he’s a must-roster player for the time being.
On the flip side, there are some players you can consider dropping. Remember, “droppable” doesn’t mean you must drop them, but rather that it’s acceptable to do so if needed. These include Gradey Dick, Dennis Schröder, Onyeka Okongwu, Rui Hachimura, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaden Ivey.
Looking at hot players, Larry Nance Jr. has been impressive lately, ranking 40th over the last week. While I don’t expect this to hold long-term, he’s worth rostering for now. Other notable hot players include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jake LaRavia, and Dean Wade.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Clippers podcasts.
How Ivica ZuShaq Led The Clippers to Their Best Win Of The Season Kawhi Leonard is back in action, and the Los Angeles Clippers are buzzing with anticipation. Could his return reshape the NBA landscape? This episode dives into Leonard’s first full-contact practice since his injury, exploring how his presence might transform the Clippers’ strategy.
Did The LA Clippers Miss An Opportunity In Dallas? Can the Los Angeles Clippers bounce back after their recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks? With Kyrie Irving’s return shaking up the court, the Clippers faced a tough challenge, ultimately falling short with a 113-97 defeat. This episode breaks down the pivotal moments and strategic decisions that defined the game.
Diehard LA Clippers fan and Host Darian Vaziri offers an in-depth analysis of the Clippers’ performance, spotlighting key players like James Harden and Norman Powell. Discover how turnovers and missed opportunities impacted the outcome, and explore the contributions of Kevin Porter Jr. and Mo Bamba. As the Clippers prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies, Darian examines their unique offensive style and what it means for the Clippers’ defense.
How The LA Clippers Took Care Of Business Can the Los Angeles Clippers maintain their momentum after a decisive 118-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks? With star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving absent, the Clippers seized the opportunity to shine, showcasing their depth and strategic prowess in the NBA landscape.
Vaziri breaks down the standout performances of James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac, highlighting their contributions to the Clippers’ success. Discover how Derrick Jones Jr.'s return from injury impacts team dynamics and why Ty Lue’s coaching is earning high praise. The episode also explores the Clippers’ defensive strategies and potential rotation changes with Kawhi Leonard’s anticipated return.
