NBA Pretender or Contender: Bucks look legit; Celtics, Grizzlies fading?

Milwaukee Bucks (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
Milwaukee Bucks (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
3 of 12
LA Clippers
LA Clippers duo (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)

LA Clippers

Entering this season, the LA Clippers were somewhat of a fan favorite to win this year’s NBA Championship. This was finally going to be the year where they were going to be healthy and the stars seemed to be aligning without a clear-cut favorite in the West.

However, it’s been quite the struggle for the Clippers this season. They’ve been extremely inconsistent and, frankly put, are still struggling with injuries. Right now, Paul George is out of the lineup and he may not be back for the start of the playoffs. If so, that would pose a big problem for LA.

As much as I want to like the Clippers’ chances in what may appear as a wide-open Western Conference, I don’t have much confidence in this team being able to stay healthy for any extended stretch. And considering that George may or may not be back for the postseason, I simply don’t believe that the Clippers have much of a chance to go on a deep run.

Maybe they end up proving me wrong but I simply don’t believe that the Clippers are much of a threat to win the West.

Verdict: Pretender