It’s been a few months since the Clippers’ addition of James Harden got out to a rough start. Things have undoubtedly turned around since then and many people owe the team an apology. Myself included.
Since losing their first five games with Harden in tow, LA has been one of the NBA’s best teams, posting a 34-12 record to soar up the Western Conference standings. As the push toward the playoffs — and the West’s No. 1 seed — intensifies, the question that looms is whether or not the Clippers can be trusted as legitimate title contenders.
Despite a recent snag in high-level play, the larger sample size is enough to show just why this LA team is capable of advancing to the Finals for the first time in franchise history.
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Kawhi Leonard’s return to MVP form
It’s no secret that when available, Leonard is one of the game’s best players. In an incredibly on-brand straightforward answer, Leonard recently credited his availability this season to, “Not tearing my ACL. Not tearing my meniscus.”
Sometimes, the simple answer is the best answer.
Last season, Leonard eased his way back into form before a torn meniscus ended what had the potential to be a transcendent postseason run. This year, Leonard has calmly averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists on .528/.442/.892 shooting splits while appearing in 51 of the team’s first 56 games.
At 32 years old, Leonard’s seemingly perfecting his game and the meticulousness with which he gets to his spots and makes opposing teams pay. His consistency and availability make him a sleeper candidate to enter MVP discussions should another candidate slip up during the season’s final stretch.
While it’s been nearly five years since Leonard was the driving force in the Raptors’ historic run to an NBA title, this season’s body of work is proof that he is still capable of being the No. 1 guy on a championship team. He’s helped a franchise make history before, so why not again?
Complete team buy-in
Under the leadership of head coach Tyronn Lue, each member of the Clippers has bought into their roles. Russell Westbrook’s accepting a move to the bench is the natural point to begin with, but it’s much more than that.
LA’s season turnaround coincides with Westbrook’s switch to a reserve role, where he’s averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 21.3 minutes of action. Westbrook has thrived as the leader of the team’s second unit while making life easier for Amir Coffey, Norman Powell and Daniel Theis, each of whom have contributed to the Clippers’ depth.
When the playoffs come around, rotations narrow down to eight or nine players. Thanks to Westbrook’s impact on the second unit, LA’s rotation can compete with the best of them.
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Westbrook isn’t the only former MVP to adjust, as Harden’s role has naturally evolved next to two high-usage players in Leonard and Paul George. With the Clippers, Harden’s usage percentage (20.4) is at its lowest since his second season in the NBA with the Thunder (19.5).
Like his time in Oklahoma City, Harden again finds himself as the third option.
As much flak as Harden has received for his playoff shortcomings, he now has an opportunity to take on a much different role than he has taken on in previous stops with far less pressure. Consider the fact that Harden is less than a year removed from turning in multiple 40-point performances in the postseason, and it’s fair to say he’s very much still capable of doing so.
Watch the Clippers, and you’ll notice that members of the team have figured one another out. More complex than the problematic “your turn, my turn” offense, the high IQ of George, Harden and Leonard has allowed them to instinctively alternate who “the guy” is based on the feel of the game.
It’s the epitome of being bought in.
WATCH: Follow the Clippers throughout the regular season and NBA Playoffs on Sling TV
These aren’t the Clippers of the past
Are the Clippers really fighting against history? Sure, the franchise has never advanced to the NBA Finals in its first 53 years of existence, but what does that have to do with this team?
Just last year, we saw Nikola Jokic lead the Nuggets to their first-ever Finals appearance and title all at once. And, as mentioned above, we saw Leonard do the same thing for a different franchise.
LA is led by a championship head coach and has three players on its roster who have been to the mountaintop. Having a group of players who know what it takes matters.
Yes, the 2019-20 team was led by Doc Rivers and also featured Leonard, but no one else knew what it took. The “Lob City” era teams led by Rivers had even less championship DNA on the roster.
Leonard’s health is key, but at the level he’s displayed this season, he’s good enough to be a championship team’s No. 1. Powell’s experience as a key player during Toronto’s 2019 run matters. And while P.J. Tucker doesn’t have a spot in the team’s rotation, his role in Milwaukee’s 2021 title still holds weight.
Year after year, every team has its own identity. This Clippers team has the identity of a real title contender.
Fortunately for them, they won’t be competing against history to get there, just the group of staunch contenders the league has to offer this season. And they’ve proven they can beat the best of them.
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