Channing Frye Says Tyronn Lue’s Clippers Will Be ‘Best Defensive Team Ever’

The Los Angeles Clippers’ hiring of Tyronn Lue prompted Channing Frye to reiterate a statement that’s been said in the media this offseason about the NBA’s “other L.A. team.”

Lue, a former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach, has returned to an assistant coaching job under Doc Rivers, who will be piloting a team with several defensive-minded players.

Chief among them are the two best players on the team—two-time Defensive Player of the Year awardee Kawhi Leonard and 2018-19 steals champion Paul George. Both players are considered among the top two-way players in the game. 

Leonard and George could be this generation’s Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in terms of defensive dominance from a pair of superstar teammates.

Then, there’s pesky point guard Patrick Beverley, who hounded Kevin Durant to no end in the first round of last season’s playoffs despite giving up several inches to the former MVP. Beverley was named to two All-Defensive teams in the past and continues to be a top-notch defender to this day.

There’s also JaMychal Green and Montrezl Harrell, two excellent defenders who will add defensive depth to an already potent Clippers defensive lineup.