Have the LA Clippers Lived Up to Expectations this Season?

There was plenty of hype surrounding the Clippers before the start of the season. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were going to wield their superstar magic and deliver the first-ever championship to the Californian team.

The sportsbooks had them as early favorites and many experts picked them as the team to beat. But securing a championship is not easy, let alone a first one. And with almost half a season gone, is it any clearer whether the Clippers have the tools to do it?

Toughest challenge yet to come

Deciding whether the Clippers have lived up to expectations or underwhelmed is tricky at this stage. They are in contention for the playoffs but are some way behind the Lakers in the standings. But there is still a long way to go and plenty of work to be done.

As things stand, their championship quest looks tougher than ever. As well as the Lakers, there are several other teams looking to shake things up including dark horses such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks. And then there are reigning champions, Toronto Raptors, previously tipped to fade this season (following Leonard’s departure) but looking like genuine contenders once again (they couldn’t, could they?)

Conservative approach

But the Clippers still have plenty going for them. Kawhi Leonard has been rested a lot this season, suggesting the Clippers have taken note of the Raptors approach of keeping him as fresh as possible for the play-offs. They have applied the same approach to Paul George and other key players who have also been rotated during the campaign.

This quest to balance productivity with efficiency across the whole season has made it hard to judge just how strong the Clippers are. But this strategy could give them an advantage when it comes down to the crucial playoff games. After all, championships are often claimed by the team that peaks at just the right time. The bookmakers seem to agree and still have them as favorites in the NBA betting alongside the Lakers.

Creating an enigma

But it’s not just lowly sportswriters who are thrown by the Clippers tinkering. Other teams may also be wondering exactly which version of the Clippers they will come up against and which line-up will be preferred in the play-offs. This air of mystery could play into their hands of Doc Rivers’ team when it really matters.

With all this taken into consideration, it seems the Clippers are living up to expectations. They have created an enigma – a narrative that has intrigued throughout the season. And it is hard to take your eyes off of them.

Half-centenary

But the Clippers are keeping their cards close to their chest. Nothing has been won yet and talking up their own chances will do them little good as they seek to write their own entry in the history books. Leonard has talked about the need for “patience” in the long game. For the Clippers, the long game has lasted 50 years, stretching back to the days of the Buffalo Braves. Could this finally be their year?