It’s almost time for the LA Clippers to prove it on the big stage
At the moment, we’re less than 10 days away from the official restart of the 2019-20 NBA season. Sitting at 44-20 and in the second seed of the Eastern Conference, the LA Clippers – who entered the bubble healthy and rested – will be looking to capture their first NBA Championship in franchise history.
Led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, you can’t help but wonder if this is a duo that has what it takes to help lead the Clippers to the promised land.
On paper, you’d say absolutely. After all, let’s not forget that Kawhi won a championship last season with the Toronto Raptors. The second-best player on that team was probably Kyle Lowry or Pascal Siakam. George is better or, at worst, on the same wavelength as either one of those players. You’d think.
A concern for the LA Clippers?
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
Though, their chemistry together might not be the greatest at the moment. Let’s not forget, this is a duo that has only played 32 games together. Is that enough with the NBA’s restart essentially starting with the playoffs in a couple of weeks? It’ll truly be an experiment.
One factor that will seemingly work in their favor: the playoffs have always been about star power. The Clippers have that. When the playoffs begin, stats are often thrown out the window and it’s essentially a new season. This duo will have the ability to take full advantage of that.
On top of that, the Clippers are one of the deepest teams beyond George and Leonard.
Just to mention a few, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams are arguably the best supporting cast trio in the NBA. Should the Clippers face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, it could come down to the supporting cast. Undoubtedly, the Clippers will have the advantage in that department.
Even though the Lakers might have the stronger 1-2 punch, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Clippers depth might be too much for the Lakers to overcome.
Kawhi and George were having great seasons before the hiatus, and now George is saying that he’s even healthier than he was at any point this season. If the Clippers are indeed healthy and for the first time this season that could be an absolute game-changer.
Ultimately, the Clippers – specifically Kawhi Leonard and Paul George – will have to prove it in the playoffs and likely against the Lakers. If that alone doesn’t get you excited for the NBA’s restart, I’m not sure what will.