The Los Angeles Clippers were a bit of a laughing stock as their season ended in complete embarrassment. In perhaps the biggest choke job in recent Playoffs history, the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. It is still a mystery how the Clippers managed to let this slide, especially with superstar talents such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Nonetheless, the Clippers are looking to atone for their errors and find a way to win the NBA title in 2021.
Paul George recently signed a 5-year, $190 million extension which will keep him at Staples for the foreseeable future. George and Leonard are expected to win the title next year, or at least make the Western Conference Finals. If the Clippers don’t win the chip in 2021, the Clippers are likely to win the NBA championship the following season or even the next. In a nutshell, the Clippers will eventually become NBA champions with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as their leaders.
Despite all the critics and embarrassment they faced, the two superstar players will find a way to quiet all the haters and finally lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. Here are the 5 reasons why.
5. Paul George Prospers As A Secondary Star
Paul George, despite his inconsistent showings last season, is one of the best 2-way players in the league. It would be wrong to write him off after only one poor season because he has consistently performed at an All-Star level at the very least. George was actually an MVP candidate 2 years ago, and he will be looking to repeat it in 2021.
Paul George is actually a much better secondary star than an alpha star for a championship team. George can play on the ball, off the ball, and can lock down most players in the league on the other end of the floor. A player of George’s skillset doesn’t need to take all the shots nor carry all the pressure of a championship team, so he can focus on what he does best and let Kawhi Leonard (a proven champion) carry most of the pressure.
4. Los Angeles Is An Attractive Free Agent Destination
Los Angeles has always been an attractive destination for NBA stars and top free agents and that will never change. However, the Lakers were always the team that was the destination in Los Angeles. With Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Balmer on board, the Clippers are just as an attractive franchise to join. Kawhi Leonard is a proven champion and one of the most impactful players in the league, so players want to play with him.
Steve Balmer is perhaps the most energetic and hungry owner in professional basketball. He wants to win and doesn’t mind making shrewd moves, such as firing Doc Rivers who is one of the best coaches in the league. Balmer and the Clippers will continue to attract top free agents, as they did with Serge Ibaka, and that bodes well for their championship hopes for the foreseeable future.
3. LeBron James Will Eventually Slow Down Or Retire
As long as LeBron James plays at a high level, his teams will be in the running for an NBA title. His ability to lead teams to victory is his specialty at this point of his career because he can make any adjustments at any time. He has been through the trenches, been at the top, and been through everything in between. His duo with Anthony Davis means the Lakers are the favorites for the chip this upcoming season. But he isn’t inhuman, and he will eventually slow down and leave opportunities for other stars to take over the league.
Kawhi Leonard and to a lesser degree Paul George, are talented enough to take advantage of an older and slower LeBron James to start taking over the league. Whether it’s in 2 years or later, LeBron will eventually slow down and the Clippers will take their opportunity. The plan for the Clippers is to retain their two superstars, which they have done, and continue to build chemistry in the hopes to dethrone The King and the Lakers.
2. Kawhi Leonard Is The Best Two-Way Player In The Game
Much was said about Kawhi Leonard last season, and how he did not show enough leadership during the series against the Nuggets. Kawhi Leonard, one of the top five players in the world, should be expected to close the deal when up 3-1. After all, we were all robbed against a Western Conference Finals showdown against the Lakers. This upcoming season, Kawhi Leonard will just have to lock in and prove he is the best 2-way player in the world. And yes, that means ahead of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Kawhi Leonard is a 2-time champion and the best 2-way player because he is a proven winner at the highest level. He won Finals MVP with the Spurs when surrounded by stars such as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, and also with the Raptors in his first season with the franchise. Kawhi has no weakness in his game, as he shoots 49.1% from the field and 38.3% from three for his career. From the stripe, Kawhi shoots 85.5%. He has a natural shooting stroke and also the size to score inside, not to mention the ability to lockdown players on the other end of the floor as he is a 2x Defensive Player of the Year.
1. The Clippers Are Hungry To Win The Chip And Silence Critics
The critique the Clippers faced is extraordinary. After all, they deserve it after failing to close the deal when up 3-1 and a chance to reach the Western Conference Finals. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell were all in their prime on the squad and former NBA champion Doc Rivers was the coach. There wasn’t a single excuse why they couldn’t put away an exhausted and feeling Denver Nuggets team by winning one game out of three. Embarrassment fled throughout the franchise and Doc Rivers ended up losing his job, with Montrezl Harrell signing for the rival Lakers in Free Agency.
The Clippers need to atone for their mistakes and make an NBA Finals appearance. Nothing motivates superstars more than failure, because it gives them an incentive to perform better than ever. Kawhi Leonard has the motivation to win his third title with his third NBA team, and new head coach Ty Lue wants to prove he can win a title without LeBron James. Paul George perhaps has the most desire for a successful 2021 season after having the worst season of his career with many doubting his ability as a leader. With the key pieces in the franchise hungrier than ever, the Clippers will be NBA champions very soon.
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