Vegas Over/Under: 43.5

Fromal’s Record Projection: 42-40 The Bet: Avoid but lean under
How you feel about this over/under likely depends on one key question: Just how easy is replacing Chris Paul?
The Los Angeles Clippers did a fantastic job reloading after studying that Paul desired a death to the Houston Rockets. Not only did they manage to pry some assets from his new home in a trade after he opted in, however they also convinced Blake Griffin into re-sign before incorporating Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic to the fold.
This is a gifted roster with upside and ability at pretty much every position. It’s far deeper than it has been in past years, however head coach Doc Rivers surely didn’t wish to obtain depth at the expense of his team’s best player.
And that is the issue.
Paul was not just the engine that made the Clippers run; he essentially was that the Clippers.
Patrick Beverley and Teodosic should be solid replacements in the 1, but they can’t replicate his ability to run the offense perfectly.
Whether Paul was calling his own number or setting up teammates, he commanded the flow of the game in addition to anyone. It is why LAC was a staggering 19.6 points per 100 possessions better with him around the floor in 2016-17, as well as the reason he finished No. 2 overall in ESPN.com’s actual plus/minus, behind only LeBron James.
His job simply can not be replicated.

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