There were high expectations for the Clippers the last five seasons because of the dynamic duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
That is not the case this season.
George skipped town, leaving the Clippers to join the Philadelphia 76ers, and Leonard, who has dealt with injuries during his tenure with the Clippers, will be out indefinitely because of inflammation in his right knee.
So, when the Clippers open the regular season Wednesday night at Intuit Dome, the franchise’s new $2-billion arena, against the Phoenix Suns, NBA critics say they should do so not expecting to contend for a top-six spot in the uber-tough Western Conference.