Not your dad’s Los Angeles Clippers! Less racism, great coaching, nice depth, and one of the best players in the NBA have Clips’ fans feeling real good!
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Kawhi Leonard is still laughing as he and his Los Angeles Clippers teammates step into Bubble City.
Why is that, you might ask?
Well, maybe they know something. Maybe they know that this team has as much depth as any in the NBA. Maybe they know that they have secured their playoff spot and don’t need to press too much in the Bubble seeding games.
Of course, they have Doc Rivers and his championship coaching pedigree.
It is almost like the Clippers know something that the rest of us don’t.
It’s almost like Klaw already knows who’s coming out of Bubble City with the Larry O’Brien.
Ha…ha…ha!!!
The Squad
The title of Best Player in the League is a hotly debated topic. Listen folks; Kawhi Leonard is firmly in the middle of that discussion! He’s the best perimeter defender today, and maybe in a generation. He has two NBA Finals MVPs to his name and he’s tearing up the league to the tune of 26 PPG, over 7 RPG, and 5 APG.
And he is motivated to be the first to lead a third different franchise to an NBA title and keep a certain King of Akron at bay!
Plus, Board Man has help!
We start with Paul George, who made his sixth All-Star team this season and has played the role of Robin to Kawhi’s Batman historically well. 21 PPG, over 5 RPG and nearly 4 APG mean George is a problem for other teams, plus he is a defensive nightmare for most wings with his length and athleticism.
Speaking of defensive nightmares, Patrick Beverley is still playing the role of Freddy Krueger while locking down opposing point guards and ranking as the fourth-best plus/minus player in the NBA this season.
Lou Williams looks like he’s going to win his fourth Sixth Man of the Year Award, giving the Los Angeles Clippers nearly 19 PPG and nearly 6 APG. Montrezl (yes, the “L” is silent) Harrell is dropping nearly 19 PPG and over 7 RPG and is firmly in the Most Improved Player conversation.
Doc Rivers has an embarrassment of riches to unleash on the league once we get to the playoffs, and championship experience to boot!
Schedule
So, we can spend a bunch of time breaking down matchups and the like, but let’s be real.
The Clippers don’t care about these 8 games.
Their seeding isn’t locked up, but in Bubble City, there is no real home court. Seeding is about matchups- and the Los Angeles Clippers are a bad matchup for everyone!
What the Clips will value is load management and making sure their top gun is ready to fly into the danger zone come playoff time (you see what I did there? Do you feel the need…the need…for…never mind).
I think the Clippers will comfortably go 4-4, beating the Suns, Mavericks, Nets, and stealing another win.
I, also, don’t think that matters, frankly.
Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
Okay, here is where it gets interesting. There is no one I see giving the Clippers a real run for their money in the west EXCEPT:
- The L.A. Lakers,
- A stupidly hot Houston Rockets team, or,
- A ridiculously motivated Portland Trailblazers team that is playing out of their friggin’ minds.
So, let’s break these possibilities down.
Portland would have to score against a team that can throw Kawhi at Dame, Beverly at C.J., George at Melo, and Harrell at Nurkic (if he plays)- AND stop those guys over the course of a series.
I like the Clippers chances.
Houston has been effective playing small. You beat small ball by having size that can match up defensively and score with Houston.
Ummm, that sounds like the Clips’ M.O.
Then, we get to the only battle for Los Angeles that really matters, since you probably didn’t see that garbage movie from 10 years ago. Who knows how this will play out. I just know I will be there watching EVERY STINKIN’ SECOND OF IT!!!
I mean, are you gonna be the one to tell Kawhi he can’t win it all this year?!
Continue to check out the best basketball content on the web at Belly Up Sports NBA page. Follow me on Twitter @ChakaCummings and check out my podcast “F” in Sports.
