The Clippers Are COOKED (Again)

The Paul George era in Los Angeles is officially over after five years, three playoff series victories, one conference finals appearance, and countless injuries. But while PG is an easy target for criticism and there are risks associated with maxing out a 34-year-old, the Clippers were insane to let the nine-time All-Star just walk away in free agency.
Written & Narrated by: Joseph Casciaro (@JosephCasciaro | X)
Produced & Edited by: James Balutan (@jamesbalutan | Instagram)
Thumbnail Design by: Justin Shipley (@shipleysportstudio | Instagram)
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[@cheap272]

Acting like the clippers were ever going anywhere with pg talking like they were contenders😂

[@skullmanwizard]

They were a really good team that could have contended for a title last season. The injury to Kawhi is what derailed their season.

[@ceasarnunez5652]

They were cooked with or without him. Paul George isn’t THAT GUY. 7 points and then 9 points in back to back playoff games was evidence of that. He had his chance to prove he deserved that money… he didn’t produce.

[@dbradandthem2727]

IF the guy PG replaces scored the SAMEa amount of points in SAME game for Sixers, they would've beaten Knicks

[@zachla100]

Yea lol bad games don’t exist. You sound like an idiot. PG is a PERFECT all around role playing wing guard combo

[@alxx292]

“7 points and then 9 points in back to back playoff games” could you please show me when this occurred 🤔

[@alxx292]

So according to you, he had his chance to prove that he deserved the money, failed and still got it anyway in a better situation? Sounds like a win to me

[@ceasarnunez5652]

@@alxx292 Good for him. He got his money. But it’s a testament to the stupidity of the 76’ers front office. They’re in debt to him til he’s 37 years old. You Philly fans are gonna find out the hard way.

[@Gill36912]

Bro , pg has been a complete no show in 4 years in the playoffs , balmer made the right choice

[@alxx292]

27 10 and 5 in 2021 btw

[@Gill36912]

@@alxx292 you can drop 70 but if your team loses it doesn’t matter , might fit well in Philly doe

[@DanDan-cl7em]

Balmer sucked at Microsoft and he sucks at Clippers

[@DaFactsNoNonsense1713]

LAC going to be fine, just watch & see + PG-13's a bonafide "loser" = he's not interested in "winning", more than he's interested in his podcast = that's why LAC didn't invest into him because they know he's not worth it = PHI going to regret signing him, just like they've regretted signing ALL those other "bums"

[@fuzzbutthead8597]

Good luck with Harden being your #1 when Kawhi is icing his knees in the playoffs

[@Swashcuff]

they're not going to be fine they're going to suck as they always did. They would be fine if they lost Paul George for something.

[@DaFactsNoNonsense1713]

@@Swashcuff you're just saying you don't know anything about NBA-basketball, without saying it

[@ytrqwee]

@@Swashcuff Clippers have the second best record of any team in the league aside from the Warriors over the last 12 years. No championships sure but that’s pretty far from sucking. Fans of many other franchises wish they could have that kind of success even in just the regular season.

[@alxx292]

“Hes not interested in winning” he literally has a better chance of winning a championship on the sixers than if he stayed on the clippers.

[@mitchellfriars8529]

Absolutely delusional there was never a path to a title NEVER.

[@alexshirley6096]

Clippers fans players and their front office have a delusion that usually would put people in an insane asylum

[@JuliusSDeLaCruz]

I feel like they’ve picked up some good def and lob threat assets: KPJ, DJJ, Dunn, Bamba, Kai Jones. Pending Miles Bridges. As long as they can gel and not have off court issues.

[@JetEngine85]

Too bad for the clippers they let go of their solid 7 points in the playoffs..

[@henhenyu8440]

Let’s all trash clippers and leave my lakers alone😂

[@jaygreen2251]

Don't be mad cuz ur team ain't winning anything till 2030

[@maartenvz]

2022 was their best shot, PG choked some free throws and the Valley oop ultimately doomed the Clippers. I do think that they signed really nice replacement pieces for George. They could become that tenacious defensive team that no one wants to face in the playoffs but their days of wannabe contenders are over.

[@jsnparc619]

0:19 Steve Ballmer doing Steve Ballmer things. 😂

[@Mike-ks6ib]

Way to dismiss the 2nd apron, they could’ve just dumped some salary to get under it if PG stayed. Second apron penalties include: being unable to include cash in trades, first-round picks seven years away are untradable, no trade exceptions can be used from multiple players' salaries, no previous trade exceptions can be used, and the final one being a team's first-round is moved to the end of the round if they stay in the second apron for three of five seasons.

[@chixxxymeister7682]

They dont control their first rounders anyway

[@Miguel_Pratz]

I know hindsight is 20/20, but damn I wishes KL stayed in Toronto for 1 more year and ran it back! 😭😭

[@poetic2def]

I see a lot of comments see PG for who he is and aren't falling for the B.S. and also the Clippers upgraded the league is better overall than with PG. Younger and way more defense and Lob Threats. Plus guys that want to take the next leap. PG and Philly fans better prepare themselves for excuses.

[@Piochasinchina]

Ballmer just doesn’t know what to do with all his billions, he just playing games

[@HoopsAficionado]

There's only one thing left for the Clippers to do: Move back to San Diego to lift the curse.

[@paul66.6]

They don't think. but I rather pick role players than the older Star

[@quentincornett8376]

They aren't capped out and they have added pieces already and he's not reliable.

[@CarlosGutierrez-qw6pr]

So they're contenders? They have practically 0 draft picks, high salaries, and aging stars. Can they compete against the Mavs, Nuggets, Wolves and Thunder?

[@JoeCash89]

Yes, they are literally capped out, which is why the only tools they had to use were various exceptions rather than cap space

[@falibaba]

@@CarlosGutierrez-qw6prat the moment they are not contenders. But maybe they can get some pieces to have a deep roster. The time of three max contracts on your team is over.

[@costylezz]

After finding out that the Sterlings still get championship rings if the Clippers win the title makes this even more sweeter 😂

[@JawaPenguin16]

Enjoy Bronny and JJ Laker fan

[@thedarkfrost2351]

@@JawaPenguin16wtf are you talking about

[@djtoppick]

@@thedarkfrost2351 You clearly are Clipper hater and Lebron nut hugger

[@GSal6]

@@thedarkfrost2351don’t respond to that bot

[@harrydaloc9112]

Honestly they need a better coach but this year they don’t stand a chance

[@gnvtwhp1218]

Effing relax yall😂😂 Great coaches can help a team win 10-12 extra games on preparation and IQ. Coach Lue is one of the best. Clippers will win at least 45-47 wins. Look at Eric Spoelstra. And in the west, maybe 45-47 is good enough for a top 6 seeds because the west conference is tough.

[@drewmeyer9679]

The issue is PG13%, Wayoff P, Pandemic P, Pathetic P, hasn’t been consistent in the last 4 playoffs. He’s not worth the max. He’s either injured or inconsistent.

[@harlequin75]

Great! I love it

[@ExMonggoProject]

The logic is simple, this team wont wont win a chip if kawhi is injured, even if pg and harden are playing, especially with a thin roster. But if Kawhi is healthy, even without PG, there is a chance. and they got hardworking role players in the process. Signing PG is not worth the trouble

[@brandonclarke5775]

So glad Toronto didn’t keep Leonard

[@CoasterKrazie]

Im a Clippers fan, you guys are casuals who base everything off stats. PG folded like a chair time in and time out every playoffs. Why pay him that money? Just to continuley get bounced. Stupid. We'll be fine without him

[@rtaAsh]

First and foremost I cannot stand Ty Lue. He should have been gone two years ago. There's two things that happen all the time and it's not the players fault it's a coaching problem. When Kauai gets trapped in a double team or triple team there's nobody rotating to help him that is a coaching problem. When they bring the ball up the court and people run up behind them and still the ball that should only happen once and it should be done with it. Somebody should yell out ball ball watch out. happens multiple times that's a coaching problem. Anyways who they missed was Nick batum. Robert Covington. Kenyon Martin Jr. You can't teach what they had either you have it or you don't it's not thinking to go after the ball.it's pure instinct you can't teach that. Are they going to be better this year I don't know if they are going to be harder to beat yes. Because they brought players in that go after the ball they don't have to think it's instinct.. and if they could develop the raw talent . Does a couple of these players with experience and proper coaching. If it works out they stole them

[@hipjada]

Pandemic GOAT got what he wanted the Clips got freedom to make the team younger and athletic.

[@reyrey9752]

We don’t care bout this Stanley cup winner video when????

[@malcolmmaxwell3696]

He didn't want to sacrifice, like kawahi, Harden. They're not finished yet, they might be going after Miles Bridges, and the Clippers have to get younger and more athletic, and PG defense slipped a bit these last couple of years

[@malcolmmaxwell3696]

It's not over for the Clippers, it's a new beginning for us. Let's go Clippers ❤

[@pattyg1184]

They were cooked when they traded for PG in 2019 lol

[@PAYY-Z]

😂 who 🧠 can fill seats & jersey sales

[@MrMemento89]

Clippers have Steve Ballmer richest owner in all sports and they are in LA.. they gonna be just fine..

[@AD-vg6nj]

What has being in l.a got them since Ballmer bought the team

[@cgwg133]

@@AD-vg6njit got them kawhi what are you talkin about

[@JawaPenguin16]

Wow finally someone in the comments with logic and common sense.

[@AD-vg6nj]

@cgwg133 a superstar at the time who can't be depended on, now with a contract no one would trade for. Being in l.a. has led to so many superstars and so many titles right

[@cgwg133]

@@AD-vg6nj I never said it led to titles bro you want to be right so bad but you answered your own question being in la attracts superstar players

[@dbradandthem2727]

Isnt Terrance Mann really good?

[@MikeBeltMikeBelt]

They should not have resigned any of them.

[@ClippersRunLA]

PG was sorry

[@eaglewinnings8003]

Exactly what I said. They could’ve signed it, run it back 1 more time after seeing how good they were before injuries last year after adding Harden and then if they fail to achieve anything next year then have a massive fire sale like OKC did when they tore it up. It’s actually funny because this is exactly what the Clippers did with Blake. They resigned him and traded him for some pretty decent assets. It’s not like money is an issue either as Balmer has shown zero hesitation to spend. Absolutely foolish to let George walk for nothing given the circumstances.

[@bassblvd3065]

They would have been cooked had they giving him a 4 year max, paying him over $60 million at age 38, they’ve won only 3 playoff series in 5 years, it’s been a complete disaster, and losing PG is the reason you believe their cooked?, they’ve been cooked for 5 years, they couldn’t get it done when the players were in their prime, what makes you think they would be better when the players are older, the Clippers did the right thing by not handicapping themselves for another 4 disastrous seasons, truth be told they weren’t going to win a championship with or without him facts, good for the Clippers….

[@ea.lowkey]

I think kawhi should twist his back and harden get in shape maybe get a lottery pick or just be cooked for awhile enjoy that new stadium

[@falibaba]

There will be a lot of teams not being able to sign their players cause of the new salary cap rules. The thunder wont look like now in two years. You won’t see teams with three max contracts.

[@gordonmarshall7362]

Hurrah kawi should ‘ve stayed one more season with the Raptors. Then bolted. I know you wanted to go home but as history is showing very shortsighted. And KL was kinda selfish

[@Kodak_1911]

How was he selfish? He has a right to want to go home. He was a free agent and he brought Toronto a championship… he never wanted to be there in the first place

[@glolorun]

You criminally underrate the value of role players and learned nothing from the Celtics winning this year. The big three era is dead.

[@ParallelRapturez]

Legacy of nothing

[@JD-iu6rv]

Los Angeles Paper Clips

[@michaelmarkin5227]

You have no idea what makes a good team.Paul George isn’t a got to have player lol.

[@nickswf]

PG sucks - one less bum on the team

[@M1gs]

Its easy to criticize them when you’re not really the one making decisions

[@stewybstewy]

You got ratioed for your clown take

[@Bulkk-Up]

As a Raptors fan I hope Kawhi never wins anything in the NBA again. He took the Raptors for granted

[@thedarkfrost2351]

What have the raptors done since he left again?

[@nicksirju8717]

​@@thedarkfrost2351What have the Clippers done since getting him?

[@skidlinerz]

Kawhi is the reason why they have a dinosaur ring

[@younggarrett93]

that's wild. He the reason yall got a championship and you wishing ill on him?? that's wild for real

[@patrickjeffers7864]

He didn't choose the raps tho, but was traded there as "punishment". He always wanted to go home to L.A..he came in, got yall a chip, and dipped.

[@briizy300]

The injury counter 🫠

[@ea.lowkey]

You get injured you stop winning if you are not healthy you know winning is not a expected option anymore... enough of creating chemistry they are professional athletes who are not going to win all the time no matter how many owners want to be optimistic and create a reason to be competitive

[@DaFactsNoNonsense1713]

Kawhi was injured with TOR, won a CHAMPIONSHIP = why can't LAC replicate that? #SoSimple

[@iguesss]

Theyll be fine, they should definitely look into Miles Bridges or Kyle Kuzma

[@JawaPenguin16]

Bro what is it with all of these clearly non-Clipper fan youtubers FROTHING at the mouth to call the Clippers a failure this week. As if getting injured 4 consecutive years after the bubble was their fault. Everyone loves bringing up how they sent so many picks to OKC, but the Knicks just sent 5 first round picks over for Mikal Bridges, a guy with ONE all NBA defensive award. The Twolves sent 5 Picks over for Rudy. Why is it crazy that 5 picks went to OKC for a player coming off 3rd in MVP voting? Also...... ANYONE WHO SAYS THE PREDICTED SHAI BEING THIS GOOD IS A LIAR.

[@ShazammtheProducer]

because they trash and need views. Everyone loved to hate the Clippers becuase we be busting they teams asses

[@Tutankamion196]

Because at least the Knicks have a somewhat decent future ahead of them. Injuries stripped them a run to the conference finals. They have an upside in the coming years. TWolves just went to the conference finals themselves and they have Anthony Edwards to look forward to in optimism. In short, these two teams sent away first round picks because they know the time to win is now more than ever before. OKC will be a powerhouse next season - nothing more to add there. The Clippers? They have the always injured mr. load management Kawhi, folding under the pressure Harden, countless playoff defeats with no chance at a second round appearance in sight and no first round picks til the end of the decade speak volumes to how much they screwed up. Them draft picks sure would've come in handy now. We havent been calling the Clippers a failure this week - we've been doing it for decades now.

[@JawaPenguin16]

@@Tutankamion196 The Knicks gave all that up just to still be worse than the Celtics. Especially with them sending Hartenstein gone. Those draft picks would come in handy if we were a small market like the Hornets or Pistons lmao. Rich basketball players will always want to play in LA. The current Laker circus just makes the Clippers more appealing.

[@Tutankamion196]

@@JawaPenguin16 That Hartenstein situation is concerning, yes, but who knows what the Celtics will look like next year. Championship teams haven't been performing well lately so we'll see. Sure LA is a way of life but both them LA teams are a circus now

[@rsg145]

@@ShazammtheProducerWhen have they busted anyone’s ass? Maybe you’re talking about regular season. Come playoffs? Betting on the Clippers is like betting on the sun to rise the next day.

[@ShazammtheProducer]

TRASH take

[@KevinWay-oi3wz]

Flippers 🗑

[@thewolfofwallstreet627]

Lakers: Hey clips, we need more room at Staples Center to put up another championship banner. You mind moving down some of yours so we can make room. Oh, wait. That's right. You don't have any because you're the clippers. My bad. XD Clippers: At least, we're not a joke of a circus like LeBron James has turned you into. Lakers: Yeah, but that's only until he retires. But, you guys will always be a joke. Oh, feel the burn! 😂

[@JawaPenguin16]

Actually as long as Jeanie Buss owns the Lakers you're always gonna be a circus. Good luck lol. You're married to her for life and theirs no Bron or Kobe coming to save you.

[@xoku]

@@JawaPenguin16 @thewolfofwallstreet627 Exactly. Comparatively speaking, the Lakers are a ghetto franchise compared to the Clippers moving forward and discounting their history. They can't get anybody of note to sign on to play with LeBron & Son Salvage business and their future won't look that promising even post-LeBron given that the ownership has been dysfunctional and not as well financed as their crosstown rivals. You got to feel for Anthony Davis. He was recruited to get a ring but also take over, but LeBron & Son looks to be lingering for a while.

[@bassblvd3065]

@@JawaPenguin16Bronny is going to save them 😅😅😅

[@thewolfofwallstreet627]

@@JawaPenguin16 jokes on you. I'm not a Lakers fan, so I get a good laugh out of this either way. lmao.

[@thewolfofwallstreet627]

@@xoku people said the exact same thing when the Lakers couldn't sign anyone to play with an injury prone past his prime Kobe Bryant, during his finals years with the Lakers. Meanwhile, everyone was talking about how bright the future was for the Clippers. Guess what? How did that work out? Still no titles? Meanwhile, the Lakers got another title? Granted, it was a laughable bubble MIckey Mouse title that most die hard NBA fans know isn't as legitimate as the titles in the past. But even still, it's more than what the Clippers have gotten since. The Clippers are just cursed. Most people aren't lining up to play with the Clippers. And I got news for you if you think Donald Sterling's family isn't involved with the Clippers, think again. When the NBA forced him to sell the team due to his racist statements, his wife sold it to Balmer on the condition that her family still retained a small ownership stake in the team. In other words, the wife of that racist bigot still is involved with the team, which is why players like LeBron and others would be hesitant to go there. Yeah, there's Kwahi that wanted to, but he's the exception to the rule. Not the rule.