Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue is racing to turn things around for his team who are now on a six-game losing streak after dropping their last game against the Denver Nuggets. He could use an excuse though as he does not have arguably his best player Kawhi Leonard.
The third best player in the team is also absent. Who is that according to the coach? It’s not Ivica Zubac.
“Shit, I’m upset too. It is what it is. When you don’t have your best player and your third best player in Brad, it’s tough,” Lue said on Wednesday.
“When you structure training camp and preseason around certain guys, your core guys, and they’re not there — it takes some time to get used to others taking on new roles.”
He also defended decision to let go Norman Powell who is now on a scoring spree for the Miami Heat.
Ty Lue said Bradley Beal has the same offensive explosion as Norman Powell, which makes his injury hurt more for the Clippers.
“Norm, last year was great for us in Kawhi’s absence. Bradley Beal has that same offensive explosion. For him to suffer this, it’s tough for our team.”
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) November 13, 2025
He is now urging the supporters to stay patient.
“We’ve been through this before. As fans, as coaches, as players, as an organization. It’s no different. We’ll figure it out. We’ll be okay,” he continued.
“For our fans — they’ve been behind us this long… They’ve seen this story time and time again. To jump off the bandwagon right now, it’s not fair. We’re gonna be okay.”
Ty Lue gets slammed for his take
Lue’s frustration will continue for a long time as Beal has been reported to be out for the rest of the season to undergo hip surgery.
However, he and the fans are not on the same page about losing him. Many think it is ridiculous to say that Beal, who’s only averaging 8.2 points per game, is the third best player.
James Harden and Leonard can be interchanged as no. 1 but to fans, big man Ivica Zubac should be the undisputed no. 3. The Croatian is currently averaging a double double of 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He is the fourth best scorer in the team.
Clippers fans have violent reactions to the take made by Lue.
It’s exhausting. Probably should have had a plan b and c considering your top player and 3rd best have geriatric body parts.
— Joel Caro 🛡️ (@joelnolancaro) November 13, 2025
Your third best player in WHO? God help me 😭
— Justin (@justin_tweeting) November 13, 2025
“3rd best player in Brad” pic.twitter.com/xskHnBSfec
— OBK (@FeelLikeOBK) November 13, 2025
NBA head coach being paid 70 million, thinks Bradley Beal is the third best player on a team in 2025 https://t.co/fj29Eh95D2 pic.twitter.com/74VBjGAeQL
— kingtisemedia (@kingtisemedia) November 13, 2025
lol 3rd best player is Beal? Clips were doomed from the start if Ty actually thought this https://t.co/r94T6vxx9B
— Brandon Marcus (@bdmarcus) November 13, 2025
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