Tyronn Lue 'can't wait to prove people wrong' about Clippers

For the first time since acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019, the Clippers enter a season without expectations. In light of the latter's exit, the Clippers have gone from title contenders to a fringe playoff team projected to win 41.5 games.

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has issued a warning to those writing his team off.

"When you lose a guy of Paul George's stature, instantly people [think] oh, they can't win or they're not going to be competitive," Lue told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk . "But that just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don't think we're going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]."

"I can't wait to prove everybody wrong."

It's been less than eight months since they were the favorites to clinch the West during their 20-4 run. Those Clippers looked nearly invincible, but a lot has happened since. Besides the exits of George and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers — following their first-round loss — had to sit at home and watch younger teams such as the Timberwolves, Thunder and Mavericks grow in confidence in the playoffs. All those teams will be better in the upcoming season.

Besides those powerhouses, the Clippers must contend with the Nuggets, Suns, Kings, Lakers, Warriors, a returning Ja Morant and his Grizzlies and the emerging Rockets.

Yet, Lue believes his team has as good a shot as any. The player-turned-coach is excited about spending an entire training camp with James Harden, who was acquired midseason last year.

"It will make a huge difference," Lue said of having an entire camp with Harden. "Having to learn [how to best use him] on the fly was tough... What he's shown us is that we can run a pick-and-roll ... scoring the basketball, making plays for each other, making it easy for everybody to play."

On paper, the Clippers shouldn't be viewed as underdogs. They boast top-75 players in Harden and Leonard, a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Norman Powell and a solid big man in Ivica Zubac. However, Leonard's injury history and Harden's inconsistency have made it hard for analysts, oddsmakers or even fans to hitch their wagon to the Clippers.