The Los Angeles Clippers are heading into their 4th season with the tandem of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but will be hoping for results at the end of this year. Their first season together was foiled by a sensational 3-1 comeback by the Denver Nuggets, 2021 was spoiled after Kawhi Leonard’s injury in the second round, and 2022 was spoiled through Kawhi being out and injuries to Paul George as well.
The team has kept adding to their rotation throughout this time and has one of the deepest wing rotations in the league. They have forwards like Leonard, George, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, and Terrence Mann on the roster already.
The Clippers also added John Wall this summer to help solve their depth issues at point guard. Through these moves, the Clippers have kept themselves in contention next season, with Kendrick Perkins picking them to win the title on NBA Today.
But I’m looking at the Clippers, I have them as my favorites to win it all, I mean when you think about the coach in Tyronn Lue. LeBron James since Tyronn Lue has been the head coach of the Clippers, LeBron James hasn’t beaten him one time and so that says a lot. Also, you have a healthy Kawhi Leonard coming back and we saw how Paul George finished the season. The Clippers right now, they are really really dangerous, they are really deep, and I think they have the best team in the NBA when they start this season.”
There is an argument to be made about the Clippers as the best team in the league because of their depth. However, it is tough to anoint them with that status when there are going to be major questions around the health of their two stars this season.
Despite their LA rivals in the Lakers winning a championship in 2020, the team hasn’t beaten the Clippers since Ty Lue took the reins over from Doc Rivers. Lue is a championship-winning coach that LeBron James is extremely familiar with, so Lue will hope his superior roster and excellent coaching keep them ahead of the Lakers this season.
Both Kawhi and PG have consistently struggled with health during their tenure with the Clippers. How Kawhi is playing after his ACL injury is also a major question mark, missing the entirety of the 21-22 season because of it. If the parts fit well and work, the Clippers can have an incredibly successful season. If not, they will be treading water in the middle of the Western Conference for another season.
