Buying or selling the LA Clippers as championship contenders in the Western Conference.
Interestingly enough, the LA Clippers have become somewhat of the forgotten contender in the Western Conference the season. After a disappointing performance in the playoffs in the NBA’s restart bubble last year, many were quick to ignore the potential threat that the Clippers could have in the West.
Even though they are currently a top-3 seed in the West, it’s understandable why many aren’t willing to take this team seriously until we see them in the postseason.
The NBA’s restart bubble last year was a difficult ask for any team especially for one such as the Clippers, who were in the first year of its current incarnation (with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George).
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The case could be made that Kawhi and George were still learning how to play with each other and while they had large expectations, it was clear that the Los Angeles Lakers were likely winning the NBA championship either way (even if the Clippers had gotten past the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals).
On paper, and statistically, there is a lot to like about the Clippers heading into the final 19 games of the NBA’s regular season. For one, the Clippers have one of the easiest schedules remaining in the league. In fact, they have the second easiest schedule of any team in the NBA.
Statistically, the Clippers are one of four teams to have a top 10 offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating on the year. Kawhi Leonard is a top-5 player in the NBA right now when he’s healthy. He’s been a great lead man for the Clippers even though he leaves much to be desired from a vocal leadership standpoint.
Kawhi lets his play do the talking and it has worked thus far, to a certain extent, in LA. Paul George, despite his struggles in the playoffs last season, has done a great job in shaking that off and is having a great season once again.
Collectively as a duo, Kawai and George are averaging 48 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. They also both have a Player Efficiency Rating above 24, with Kawhi‘s coming in at 31.72 (which is 5th in the NBA among qualifying players).
During his first season as the lead head coach for the team, Tyronn Lue has done a fantastic job in leading this team. After an underwhelming performance in the playoffs last season, Doc Rivers and the Clippers decided to part ways at the end of the season. Lue was the natural replacement and was eventually named as the team’s new head coach during the offseason.
Despite their regular-season success, this is a team that will ultimately be judged by what they do in the postseason.
The Clippers are one of the deepest teams on paper. They have four other players, apart from George and Kawhi, that are averaging double-figures for the team. They have a good offense, a good defense, and have the depth that they will need in order to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The question is is whether or not Kawai and PG will be able to come through in the playoffs against the likes of other stars in the West?
The Clippers’ raw talent was never something that was ever a question. The big issue with this team over the last year has been their performance in the playoffs. On paper, there’s no question that you absolutely should buy this team as a contender to win the NBA Finals.
However, can they translate their regular-season success to postseason success? That is the ultimate question for this team at this point. Still, because of their talent and depth, you can’t help but to buy this team as a true contender assuming the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will enter the postseason healthy (something that was not the case last season).