Darius Garland: Clippers Will Shock People This Season
Clippers guard Darius Garland says strong team chemistry and months of off-season work have him confident ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Darius Garland has said the Clippers' new-look roster will surprise people once the 2026/27 season gets under way.
The Clippers enter the season after being hit with NBA sanctions that limited their ability to build the squad through normal means, while also removing any need to plan around the draft. Garland, speaking about the group's mood before the opener, pointed to time spent together as the basis for his confidence.
"I think we're going to shock a lot of people. Our season is going to surprise people. We've got great chemistry, and the season hasn't even started yet. All the current players have been in the gym for two or three months already. We've bonded, we're ready to fight for wins. We've got a lot of motivated guys, beasts who are always ready to pounce on the opponent. We've got Tyronn Lue and his coaching staff's sharp mind on our side. I think they'll help us break through our ceiling. Everyone is really fired up. A breath of fresh air. Especially after last season," said the point guard.
Garland's reference to "last season" points to a season the Clippers will be keen to put behind them. By his account, the extended time the roster has spent together this off-season, rather than any single addition, is what he expects to translate into results once games start counting.
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