The Los Angeles Clippers were once the laughing stock of the entire NBA, but now they stand as real threats to win the NBA title. Since acquiring James Harden earlier this season, the Clips have hit another level of play and it’s enough for basketball legend Charles Barkley to crown them as the team to fear the most.
“The scariest team in the West is the Los Angeles Clippers. Kawhi Leonard is amazing,” said Chuck. “If he’s healthy, he’s one of the five best basketball players in the world. If he didn’t get hurt, they would have beat the Suns.”
Chuck: “The scariest team in the West is the Los Angeles Clippers. … Kawhi Leonard is amazing. If he’s healthy, he’s one of the five best basketball players in the world.”
High praise for Kawhi and the @LAClippers 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4uFO1VZ6Bj
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 5, 2024
The Clippers are several years into this Kawhi Leonard/Paul George experiment, and it hasn’t brought the results they hoped for. But now, with James Harden and Russell Westbrook added to the mix, the Clippers look rejuvenated and they could be in store for a breakout moment this postseason. Either way, whatever happens next will be linked to Kawhi Leonard and how close he is to playing as the best version of himself.
Kawhi Is Back
Arguably the biggest reason for L.A.’s scorching hot play recently is Kawhi Leonard, who is reminding the world just how good he can be when healthy. Through 29 games, he’s averaging 24.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game on 52.3% shooting all while playing some of the best perimeter defense in the league. This season, and especially over the past 10 games, Kawhi has really looked like his prime self and the Clippers have been unstoppable in the stretch, going 8-2 to move up to fourth place in the standings.
If Kawhi is at this level (easily one of the five best players in the game), the Clippers can beat any team on any night and that includes in the postseason. After leading the Raptors to the title in 2019, Leonard proved he’s good enough to lead the way to a championship and the Clippers are hoping he’s still got at least one more run left in him. This season, at least so far, their chances for success in April, May, and June, are looking better than they ever have before.
Can Clippers Break The Curse?
Constantly overshadowed by their bigger brother, the Clippers don’t get the same respect that other teams do. They are an afterthought in their own city thanks to the presence of the Lakers and years of mediocre playoff runs. Up until 2021, the Clippers hadn’t even reached the Conference Finals. Obviously, they are looking to change that this season and it’s why Clippers GM Trent Redden went out and made the deal for James Harden, who has been red-hot shooting the ball of late.
By all accounts, this team has finally figured it out after weeks of struggles, but where does it put them against the rest of the league? Brimming with talent, the Clippers certainly have enough firepower to go all the way but only with perfect focus, execution, and sacrifice will they ever get over the hump and become NBA champions.
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