Felicia Enriquez, aka Mynt J, is the host of the podcast BlackLove and Basketball – Compton Edition. She is a Clippers fan, an NBA credentialed creator representing thePeachBasket. In this article, Ty Lue’s Lakers Dilemma: Is the Clippers’ Coach Sabotaging His Own Team?, she breaks down the Clippers recent struggles and the part Coach Lue might play.
Tyronn Lue: The Lakers’ Kryptonite or the Clippers’ Saboteur?
The LA Clippers have built themselves into one of the NBA’s most formidable teams. Yet, every time they face their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, a predictable script—slow starts, nonexistent three-point defense, struggles on the boards, and an uphill battle that ends in heartbreak. Clippers fans are frustrated. And at the center of this nightmare? Head coach Tyronn Lue.
Lue has long been respected as one of the best tactical minds in the league. He’s known for in-game adjustments, his ability to weather adversity, and his cool, collected demeanor in the past. But against the Lakers? It’s as if time stands still, or looking at his watch. The same mistakes. The same collapses. No significant adjustments.
Ty Lue: A Pattern of No Adjustments
The recent back-to-back losses to the Lakers on February 28 and March 2 tell the same story.
- February 28 (Loss: 102-106): Clippers shot a shaky 31.5% from three, while the Lakers hit 44%. They also lost the rebounding battle, 51-44.
- March 2 (Loss: 102-108): Same struggles—Clippers shot 30.8% from three, Lakers 42.9%. Clippers lost the rebounding battle 41-40, let shooters roam free, and trailed by as much as 21 points before a desperate late push.
Two days apart. Same flaws. No real adjustments.
And it’s not just the Lakers. A February 24 loss to Detroit (97-106)? Same struggles. February 26 win over Chicago (122-117)? Saved by an unsustainable 51.8% three-point shooting night. When the shooting isn’t there, the same defensive lapses, rebounding struggles, and slow starts haunt this team. The Clippers finished February with a 4-7 record—unacceptable for a supposed championship contender.
Kawhi Leonard: The Silent Workhorse Proving Doubters Wrong
“They said he was washed.” “They said he couldn’t carry a team anymore.” “They said load management had ruined him.”
Kawhi Leonard didn’t respond with words. He responded with dominance.
On March 2 against the Lakers, Kawhi put the team on his back:
- 33 points (over 32% of the Clippers’ total offense).
- 10 rebounds (25% of the team’s total boards).
- Hustle plays—steals, blocks, offensive rebounds.
- Efficiency King—an EFF rating of 29, proving every second on the floor mattered.
James Harden contributed with 8 assists. Ivica Zubac anchored the paint. But make no mistake—this was Kawhi’s fight. If you’re still doubting him, you haven’t been paying attention.
The LeBron Connection: A Conflict of Interest?
Now, let’s get real. We all know about the history between Ty Lue and LeBron James. The Cleveland days. The rings. The friendship. The respect.
And hey, friendships are beautiful. But when your team keeps folding against the Lakers, it raises a fair question: Is Lue holding back?
Not saying it’s a conspiracy, but if a coach repeatedly fails to make adjustments against a team led by his former star, you have to wonder—is there an unconscious reluctance to disrupt LeBron’s success? A little too much respect preventing him from making the tough calls?
Because let’s be clear: Clippers fans don’t care about how close they are or who’s signed to what. They care about wins.
Are the Players Even Listening?
If Lue is making adjustments, then there’s another problem—his players aren’t listening.
Does he even like coaching this team?
If the team keeps messing up defensive rotations, failing to box out, and getting burned in transition, that’s not just on the coach. But guess what? A coach’s job is to demand accountability. If the same mistakes happen game after game, either:
- Lue isn’t enforcing changes, or
- The players aren’t buying into his system.
Neither scenario is good.
The Clippers’ Future Under Lue
Lue has a championship on his résumé. He’s respected. But something isn’t clicking against the Lakers. The same defensive collapses. The same rebounding issues. The same slow starts. And when you add in his history with LeBron, it’s not crazy to wonder if his competitive fire burns just a little dimmer against this specific team.
Clippers fans want a coach who wants to beat the Lakers as badly as they do. Championships aren’t won by friendships. They’re won by coaches willing to do whatever it takes to win.
And let’s be real—the Lakers aren’t even that good. The Clippers are just playing bad.
Let’s Talk Numbers
Over the past 12 seasons (2013–2025), the Clippers and Lakers have faced off 48 times in the regular season. The Clippers hold a 27-21 advantage.
For years, the Clippers dominated. Then last season? Lakers won 3-1. This season? Another 3-1 Lakers win.
What changed?
Maybe it’s time to revisit when the Lakers wanted Ty Lue, and he declined. Maybe he should have gone. Maybe things would be different.
Because if a coach keeps saying, “We need to be better,” but never actually makes changes—what are we doing?
At some point, you have to ask:
- What needs to be better? If it’s defense, where are the scheme changes? If it’s offense, what’s the plan for better looks?
- Is Lue holding himself accountable? Bad rotations? Poor game management? Lack of adjustments?
- Does he even trust his players? Why cycle through young talent like Kai Jones, Kevin Porter Jr., and Moussa Diabate without giving them a real shot?
At some point, words become empty. If Lue keeps repeating himself but nothing changes, Clippers fans have every right to question his leadership.
Clippers vs. Suns: A Battle of Redemption
Kevin Durant didn’t sugarcoat it after the Suns’ 116-98 loss to the Timberwolves. He called it an embarrassment. He demanded better.
And guess what? The Suns are coming into this game angry, motivated, and desperate.
But the Clippers should be just as desperate. Four wins in their last 12 games is unacceptable. No more slow starts. No more lazy turnovers. No more excuses.
Phoenix wants redemption. But do the Clippers?
Because if they don’t fight back now, when will they?
To all loyal Clippers fans—I know it’s hard to watch sometimes. I know the frustration of watching your team fail. Understand this: there’s nothing you can do but support the team the best way you can.
The team needs fans like you—dedicated, loyal, and still standing strong despite never winning a championship. That says a lot.
Stay loyal. Stay humble. Our time is coming.
