The Clippers Must Lose Against Thunder! Tyronn Lue Needs to Understand Human Relations
Recently, the Clippers have been experiencing ups and downs, and they recently achieved a three-game winning streak against the Pelicans. This winning streak has successfully propelled them to fifth place in the Western Conference.
This is a good omen, as the Clippers have gone through many fluctuations but now seem to have found some form. They still have back-to-back games ahead, with their next opponent being the Spurs.
Perhaps many people are wondering if the Clippers have regained their previous firepower and can continue this momentum?
But in fact, things may not be as simple as they seem, especially in the upcoming game against the Thunder, where the Clippers may have to choose to give up.
Why do I say this?
The Clippers have been playing well recently, but keep in mind that the Thunder is a tough opponent. In their two encounters with the Thunder, the Clippers lost both times!
The Thunder's tactical style has left the Clippers somewhat at a loss; they play very fast and aggressively, which has caused considerable trouble for the Clippers' defense.
If you ask me, the Clippers should consider how to avoid a fierce battle with the Thunder. How to avoid it?
That is to play a little more relaxed in this game, after winning against the Pelicans, the next two games can have a strategic meaning of giving up.
The focus is to reduce pressure on the main players, especially allowing Leonard to recover his form instead of burdening him with too much pressure early on.
Is Leonard not important? That's impossible; he is the team's greatest treasure!
Some netizens have expressed: If the Clippers fight hard against the Thunder, Leonard will face immense pressure upon his return, which is really not worth it.
This makes sense; Leonard's return is a big deal for the Clippers. Although he always performs modestly on the court, everyone knows his importance; we cannot increase his burden too much just because of one game's victory or defeat.
Think about it, if the Clippers continue to win in the following games, and when Leonard returns, the team's state suddenly declines, won't it have an adverse effect on team morale? Especially on the atmosphere in the locker room.
Moreover, you should know that Leonard himself is somewhat concerned about this issue. Just recently, he discussed this with Harden, expressing that he actually hopes the team's performance can be maintained and not affected by his return.
To put it bluntly, although Leonard's skills are top-notch, his status in the locker room is even more unshakable. His return is absolutely a psychological battle; once he returns, the team's atmosphere will change significantly.
Therefore, the Clippers' coach Tyronn Lue also needs to find ways to balance this issue, avoiding a situation where the team falls into difficulties after Leonard's return, affecting everyone's confidence.
Some netizens also expressed: Tyronn Lue must seize the opportunity and not ignore long-term interests for short-term victories, especially the atmosphere of Leonard's return.
Perhaps many people don't understand why the Clippers shouldn't play hard against the Thunder; it's no big deal. True experts understand strategy and timing.
You think, Tyronn Lue isn't really willing to give up the game, but he is thinking about the team's long-term interests. Losing a game is not the worst outcome; it might even make Leonard's first game back smoother, avoiding a sharp decline after a winning streak.
From these perspectives, the Clippers need to be flexible in their next few games, especially when facing the Thunder, trying to reduce the burden on the main players.
Think about it, if Leonard's first game back is mediocre, the team's atmosphere will definitely change.
As the head coach, Tyronn Lue must consider this point and not burden Leonard with too much pressure. On the contrary, if they can moderately "let water" through the Thunder, it might maintain team cohesion and bring more support to Leonard, helping him better integrate into the team.
Tyronn Lue's decision is a difficult choice. Some people think that the Clippers should fight hard against the Thunder, as they are in good form now and might achieve a four-game winning streak, but the problem is that in the long run, this is not beneficial to the Clippers' playoff prospects.
The Clippers' goal is not just a regular season ranking but to prepare for the high-intensity games in the playoffs against truly formidable opponents.
Leonard's performance after his return is the key to whether they can go further in the future.
Some netizens have expressed: The Clippers' strategic deployment in these games must be more delicate, making sacrifices to ensure Leonard's return goes smoothly, and the result may be more important than winning a game.
From this perspective, Tyronn Lue is not doing anything wrong but making a more rational choice. Isn't this retreating to advance?
Sacrificing immediate small benefits for a greater future.
In the next few games, the Clippers need to plan more carefully. Especially in the game against the Thunder, the Clippers may need to consider how to reduce the intensity of the game, allowing the main players to maintain sufficient energy and prepare for Leonard's return.
For Tyronn Lue, this is not only a strategic choice but also a psychological game. He must ensure that the team's morale and cohesion are not affected while allowing Leonard to exert his maximum influence upon his return.
The key to all this may lie in how to balance the current games with future playoff goals.