Six days into training camp, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue switched things up. Instead of running drills on their practice floor, he moved the team to the main arena court for a change of scenery.
Now, the Clippers not only will get away from the confines of the Intuit Dome but will see players other than teammates standing across the court as they head to Oceanside for their first of four preseason games. Lue’s reconstructed team kicks off its exhibition slate against the Guangzhou Loong Lions from China on Thursday night at Frontwave Arena.
The early season game gives Lue a chance to see how the four new veterans – Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez and John Collins – will mesh with the returning core of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac. It also allows the staff to evaluate young players, such as rookie center and first-round draft pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Trentyn Flowers and Jason Preston.
“The young guys had a chance to play before practice today and I told ’em I’m just proud of just the way they progressed over the summer, the work they put in and the way the style of basketball they play is really fun to watch,” Lue said earlier this week.
Lue said everyone will be available to play in Oceanside except Beal, who is coming off a mild knee injury. The three-time All-Star guard scrimmaged with the team on Monday and said he should be healthy for the start of the regular season.
“I bumped today. I scrimmaged today. Everything’s been on pace, on target. They’ve been doing a really good job of just making sure everything is smooth, making sure there’s no setbacks, and we’re on plan right now,” Beal said.
The Guangzhou Loong Lions, who play in the Chinese Basketball Association, feature multiple American-born players with NBA experience. Former University of Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky paced the Lions with 22 points and seven rebounds in a recent preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Victor Oladipo, an 11-year NBA veteran, also started for the Lions, and NBA veteran Justin Holiday came off the bench in the 119-88 loss in San Antonio.
The Clippers will continue their preseason schedule against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night at the Intuit Dome. Their final two games are next Wednesday at the Sacramento Kings and next Friday (Oct. 17) at the Golden State Warriors.
They open the regular season against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 22 in Salt Lake City.
CLIPPERS VS. GUANGZHOU LOONG LIONS
What: Preseason exhibition game
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside