Plus-minus value -24! The championship center has become a liability, Frank’s recruitment failed, and Harden may have miscalculated

The Clippers lost to the Cavaliers 105-120. After a 15-point defeat, the team's season-opening record dropped to 5 wins and 12 losses, and the bottom position in the Western Conference has been confirmed. What's even more cruel is that Leonard returned from injury in this game, but he was still unable to recover. The "Big Four" combination that once had high hopes has completely collapsed in the second game of back-to-back games, exposing the most fatal problem of this Clippers: they are old, really old. Paul, Beal, Leonard and Harden were still championships in the offseason, but they started off in a mess.

Leonard's comeback itself should be good news. He started for 26 minutes, making 6 of 13 shots, 3 of 5 three-pointers, 5 of 5 free throws, and scored 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. His statistics were not bad, and his efficiency was decent. But the problem is that no matter how hard he works alone, he can't fill the huge black hole in other positions of the team. Moreover, Harden, who faced the Hornets yesterday and scored a career-high 55 points against the Clippers, was completely powered off back-to-back today. He made only 5 of 16 shots and 0 of 8 three-pointers. He only scored 19 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal, with a plus-minus value of -17.

The most eye-catching scene in the game was Harden's strikes from the outside again and again. The Cavaliers' young backcourt Mitchell took turns attacking inside, but the Clippers were unstoppable. What is even more chilling is that the veterans who were once regarded as "champion puzzle pieces" are now almost a drag on the court. Lopez, the former master of frame protection, only played 11 minutes today, made 0 of 2 shots, only got 1 rebound, and his plus-minus value was as high as -24. You know, the team's highest negative value was only -19, and he dragged the team into the abyss alone. What's even more exaggerated is that when Lopez is on the court, the Clippers' net efficiency reaches a terrifying -108.5, their offensive efficiency is only 52.6, and their defensive efficiency is as high as 161.1.

This means that as long as Da Luo is on the court, the opponent can almost get whatever he wants, and he can fight however he wants. As soon as he came off the field, the team's defense immediately improved. This is no longer a problem of declining status, but ironclad evidence that the body's functions cannot keep up with the rhythm of modern basketball. Coincidentally, Paul, another veteran, is no longer good. He also publicly stated recently that this season will be the last year of his career. At the age of 40, his explosive power, defensive footwork, and even shooting touch are all completely different from those in his peak years. People often say "Lian Po is old, can he still eat", but now the Clippers veterans can hardly even eat.

Bill is out for the season, Lopez is a useless man, Harden has stretched his hips back to back, and Paul can't stop the years. Leonard is alone, and this team's championship window has been ruthlessly closed by the years. Looking back on the offseason, the Clippers management vowed that "this is the healthiest and most complete year for our roster." How ironic it seems now. So what if you are healthy? Leonard can play, but he can't play for 48 minutes; Harden can explode, but he can break out in one day and take three days off; Paul can't control the field anymore and can no longer guard against opponents; Lopez can stand, but he can no longer stop anyone.

This is not a matter of injuries, but a matter of time. The NBA has never lacked talent, but what it lacks most is the ruthless elimination of veterans. The Cavaliers are young, have strong impact, can run and jump, and most importantly, they still have a future. And what about the Clippers? Except for Leonard, the other core players are all over 33 years old. Harden is 36, Paul is 40, Los Angeles is 37, and Bill is 31, but they are injured all year round. The idea of ​​building this team is still stuck in the fantasy of "accumulating stars to win the championship" five years ago, but they have forgotten that today's league already has the Thunder with the Big Three, the Spurs with the Thunder, the Timberwolves with the young wolf pack, and the Rockets with the fifth son.

When Lopez was ended by Mobley's singles on the court, when Harden was scored by Mitchell's breakthrough throw, and when Leonard played in and out. People finally saw a cruel reality: the era of veterans is really over. It’s not that they don’t work hard, it’s not that they are unprofessional, it’s that time never shows mercy. You can rely on experience and shooting to survive for a year or two, but when your legs can't move, your hands are weak, and your spirit is gone, it's really time to call it a day. The Clippers' season can basically be declared over early. Not to mention competing for the championship, even making the playoffs is on the line. The management may still be dreaming about recruiting reinforcements at the trade deadline, but who will take over these high-paid veterans? Who dares to bet on their health and condition? Rather than continue to use the remaining breath of the veteran to consume Harden Leonard's final peak, it is better to dismantle the reconstruction as soon as possible and exchange the chips for young players and draft picks. This season, the Clippers' story ends here. Harden may have miscalculated when he persuaded Bill to join. The veteran is really not good enough.