The REAL REASON the LA Clippers Were Awful to Start the Year

Los Angeles Clippers’ rocky start traced to Derrick Jones Jr.’s absence: Did injuries doom their playoff hopes from the outset? Die hard LA Clippers fan and Host Darian Vaziri spotlights how Derrick Jones Jr.’s 32-game injury significantly disrupted the Clippers’ defensive identity and momentum last season, often overlooked amid talk about Kawhi Leonard’s and Ivica Zubac’s stretches out of the lineup. Explore Jones Jr.’s impact as a top defender and transition threat, his offensive limitations, and why his $10 million contract brings major value whether the Clippers rebuild or retool around Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland. Vaziri examines the crucial debate: Can you start both Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn, or does the offense suffer too much? Key insights include Jones Jr.’s critical role in playoff-caliber lineups, his comparison to Kris Dunn, and tough decisions looming for the Clippers’ rotation. Find out why Jones Jr.’s health could make or break L.A.’s campaign as they chase relevance in a stacked Western Conference. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Turbo Tax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Quo Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba. Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers. 5-Hour ENERGY Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts... Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba #Clippers #LosAngelesClippers #NBA #KawhiLeonard