What actually ails the LA Clippers?

Despite another win, there’s more than enough problems to go around with the Clippers.

Riddled with injuries once again, I’m sure the organization was more than happy to ring in 2017 with such a soft spot on the schedule, as the Suns are a team struggling on the road.

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the Clippers.

They were up by 19 and couldn’t seem to close it out in the fourth.

But a win is a win is a win – and the Clippers needed one desperately having lost 6 straight games in a row.

Now, with the season dragging on, let’s review some of what’s been ailing the Clippers as of late.

First and foremost is injuries. It’s difficult to prevent injuries, but it’s very important to know how to respond to them.

Once again, the Clippers are forced to win games without superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Paul has missed six games with a sore left hamstring, and, for a second straight year, they are without Blake Griffin for a big chunk of the season after his arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on December 20.

Without Paul at the point, Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton, are the three guards who are tasked with generating offense and creating opportunities for their teammates, as well as attacking the dribble.

They are all capable players, but they’re not Chris Paul.

Against Phoenix, when the Clippers lead by as many as 19 points, Paul would have closed it out.

But instead, Phoenix got with in 6 points with a minute left.

With their superstars out, players like Crawford, Rivers, Felton and Mba A Moute need to step up and have consistent overall games on both ends of the court.

This leads me to another problem area for the Clippers — defense.

The team started the season locked in on the defensive end but then things took a turn in November and December with those 6 straight losses, including blowouts to Houston and OKC.

The Clippers need to refocus on defense and find the aggressiveness they had in early November when they were ranked #1 in opponents-points-per-game (88.2).

They now rank #10 (103).

I think the good news is that unlike last season when the team crumbled against the Blazers in the playoffs after their stars went down, they now have the luxury of giving Paul and Griffin time to heal properly while evaluating their supporting cast.

They need to be looking at the big picture and making sure everyone is healthy at the right time.

In the meantime, the Clipper reserves have to adjust to an increase in playing time, and realize they cannot win on individual talent alone, but only when they work together as a team on both ends of the court.

The Clippers next host Memphis on Wednesday night: the teams have split their first two meetings.

Next: Sam Darnold Is The Next Phenom

The team must have the same mindset of playing hard and producing on the defensive end as they did against Phoenix if they hope to win their second game in a row.