How good *can* 2025-26 LAC be? (The Oldhead Squad)

[Im Still Ballin]

I know, I know. Every season we ask this question at some point.

They looked like the best team in the NBA for the 2nd third of the 2023-24 regular season, dropped off post-All-Star, then gave eventual Finalists Dallas its toughest Western Conference matchup.

Then they finished the 2024-25 regular season as the hottest team going into the postseason. Unfortunately matched up with Denver & lost a grueling 7-game series which included a controversial DEN game winner. I had LAC beating DEN.

Kawhi's health, as usual, will define their ceiling. But how good can they be? They had a great offseason, IMO. This is LAC's roster:

Zubac/Lopez
Jones/Collins/Batum
Kawhi/Bogdanovic
Beal/Dunn
Harden/Paul

Age and questionable durability are working against them. Luck, injuries, and playoff matchups will determine a lot. But can this oldhead squad reach 2008-2012 Boston, 2011 Dallas, 1999-2000 Portland, 1997 Houston levels? Maybe the Millennials can get it done one last time?

[HylianNightmare]

On paper, champs. In reality maybe the 2nd round. Someone's gonna get shut down with injuries, l9ad management out the ass and harden is a choke artist

[SouBeachTalents]

6 years of injuries and playoff disappointment and people still haven't learned their lesson about the Kawhi era Clippers :lol


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NzLs-xSss0&ab_channel=TheWho-Topic

[Nowoco]

They have the talent to win a championship, that's often been true. But something will go wrong, it always does.

But IF they stay healthy and IF Harden either doesnt stink it up or they have another firepower to work around his inevitable PS shitshow and IF Zubac continues his ascent to his peak and IF Beal/Paul can contribute something then yeah, they could take home the chip.

[tpols]

Man they really went all out. Didn't realize they added Brook Lopez and Beal. This is ****ing so loaded they could rest kawhi the entire season and still make the playoffs. I actually hope they do that. Bogdanovic is almost an all star talent as his back up for Pete's sake.

[dankok8]

They were reasonably healthy this past year and lost in the 1st round. They are a good team but honestly 2nd round exit is their ceiling. A lot of the players are over the hill.

[Akeem34TheDream]

They HAVE TO win a lot of games and create momentum going to the playoffs. If they win 55+ games, they can make a run but even then i wouldn't be confident about them.

[StrongLurk]

EZ Championship

[John8204]

I think this team is going to get blown up in December

[Full Court]

I'd love to see them take it to the finals.

But I have no confidence at all in a Harden team. Plus they've failed to meet expectations every year of the Kawhi era.