The Los Angeles Clippers have won six games in a row and look like one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA.
Longtime Los Angeles Clippers fans should know better. After being led anywhere in “Rob City” with “Rob City” by “Rob City” by “Rob City”, the Clippers were unable to break through Kawi Leonard and Paul George, and their first appearance in the franchise in the NBA Finals.
This season, the Clippers lost George in free agency, but still somehow they are the fifth seed of the Western Conference. They won the final six games in a row and are one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
Fans have heard this before, but the Clippers have entered the postseason as one of the league’s most feared teams.
There are three reasons why the Clippers are one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA.
Kawi Leonard is still one of the best players in the league if he’s healthy. James Harden has beaten the drought of his All-Star Game, but beyond their stars, the Clippers have a very balanced lineup.
Norman Powell has taken over because of the offensive gaps George left behind, and has been used more in dribbling handoffs than ever throughout his career. He has the best season of his career and is the legal third choice for a team with a sleazy title hope.
Powell is not the only player to improve. Ivica Zubac is an average career high in both points and rebounds and quietly one of the top centers in the NBA. Among the true centers, Nicola Jokic is clearly in his own league, but Zubac is next to Karl Anthony’s town, Domanta Sabonis and even Anthony Davis.
Finally, Chris Dunn found the perfect role. With Zubac, Powell, Harden and Leonard able to score on volume, Dunn can focus on defense and promotion. He averaged 1.7 steels and 2.8 assists, and in his recent victory he increased the 33.0% mark from deep to 52.6% in a similar volume. It’s not sustainable, but he’s just hot at the right time.
In the final six games, the Clippers defeated the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, the Dallas Mavericks (twice), the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets. With the exception of Houston, all of these teams will play in or miss the postseason completely, but that doesn’t matter.
The Clippers dominate it. Their victory over magic only settled down with less than 10 points. In the last six games, LA has ranked second in defense and third in offensive, making it the only team in the top five in both categories.
Plus, the true shooting rate of 62% is second only in that range against the Milwaukee Bucks.
All the Clippers’ main goal scorers this season have a full understanding of their role. Leonard is the creator and shooter of the ball, Powell is the spot-up guy, Harden is the creator, and Zubak is one of the league’s best interior scorers. No one is asked to do anything beyond their abilities. That’s why the Clippers are one of the most efficient teams in the league.
In the season, he was in seventh place in terms of field goal percentage and 3 points percentage. They took smart shots and made it make them.
Of course, there are external factors. The Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies currently hold the fourth and sixth seeds, and are expected to fire their coach recently and slide before or after the postseason.
The team under the Clippers aren’t of much interest as the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves are inconsistent throughout the season. On top of that, between Leonard, Dan and Zubuck, the Clippers can make life on the defensive side of the floor difficult due to teams above the ranks.
The Clippers have the answers of Luka Donsic and LeBron James. Certainly, Austin Reeves can have a big night, but neutralizing two big threats is a big victory.
Only the Oklahoma City Thunder presents a major issue with the Clippers on paper, but fans know well. Until the Clippers run, that could be a more false hope.