The Clippers completed their first big deal before the trade deadline of the season, using Bledsoe and Winslow, two role players who were actually not suitable for the team, in exchange for two very practical players Powell and Covington, becoming the big winners in the eyes of the media and fans. Although the two core players, Leonard and Paul George, have not yet returned, the Clippers' deal has left fans full of hope for them in an instant. Don't look at them now in eighth place, but definitely resilient. To know that in the absence of the big boss and the second boss, the Clippers can still keep the top eight, indicating that the thickness of the lineup is very good.
The Clippers' experience of the season proves the attribute of "undead little strong". Starting from Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Leonard watched from the sidelines with a knee injury, Paul George turned on the "post-season Joe" mode, and Reggie Jackson ushered in an outbreak, leading the Clippers to defeat the regular season champion Jazz. However, by the time it came to the Western Conference Finals, the Clippers without Leonard still fell at the feet of the sun. Leonard, one of the most balanced players in the league today, can decide the ceiling of a team. For example, when he played for the Raptors in 2019, he missed many games in the regular season, and the Raptors' winning rate was higher, but in the Eastern Conference semifinals, it can be said that Leonard led the Raptors to advance by himself. At that time, his teammates were generally sluggish and did not give Leonard the support he deserved. And now the Clippers, it can be said that the overall strength is stronger than the Raptors who won the championship year. Especially after last season's Western Conference Finals, coupled with today's deal, we see that the Clippers are now one of the teams with the best lineup depth in the league. The most popular players in the small-ball era are the front players, who can attack and retreat, and the Clippers' current reserves of forward lines can come in handy. Powell is a star with three powers, can hold the ball to attack, has a core is able to play without the ball. Covington is standard 3D, suitable for this era.
Both cores are now absent, but neither ruled out a return this season. Paul George is in significantly better form this season than when he first joined the Clippers, and judging by last season's playoffs, he has returned to the level of his previous MVP candidate. Morris himself has nearly 20 points of firepower, and Reggie Jackson played in the playoffs last season, and now his spirit is completely different. Trisman, Batum, Zubac, etc. are all players with good immediate combat power and practicality. Powell and Covington, two new signings, have just mentioned that although the Blazers are not satisfactory, that is, the combat power is still very powerful, the offensive and defensive ends of the immediate combat power is definitely more than Bledsoe and Winslow. Before Leonard and George returned from injury, Powell's characteristics and the Clippers' system were integrated, and his immediate combat strength and experience were also to make up for the Clippers' relatively weak ability to break through and tear the defense line.
Of course, the Clippers' biggest capital to win the championship is Leonard. In last season's playoffs, George returned to the game, Reggie broke out, and everyone else remained in good shape, but without Leonard, he had to lose the championship. As we all know, Leonard is the most critical figure for the Clippers, and his possession offense is a hard solution for the key playoff period. No matter how good George is, no matter how accurate Reggie is, to compete with potential championship opponents such as Warrior Curry, Nets Durant or Bucks Alphabet Brother, it is up to Leonard to stand up and solve the battle. If Leonard can't match the core opposite, the Clippers' hopes of winning the championship are almost zero.
Now leonard and George two core return date is undecided, I think fans do not need to worry too much, after all, this is not a major injury that affects the sports career, Durant Achilles tendon rupture can be in the same state as before, Thompson has been absent for two years and now returns to shoot three points is also the same as playing, the modern medical level is enough to make up for the loss of state after injury. But fans who know Leonard know that he has a slow heat problem every season. Usually at the beginning of the season, a month or two, there will be a few iron performances from time to time, not to mention returning from injury. But it's impossible to get fans not to worry at all, because Leonard and George may be about to play in the playoffs after their comeback. If Leonard is still as slow as he used to be, the time for the playoffs to allow him to find form is tight. But in any case, we can think of the Clippers as a Western Conference Finals team last season, with a comeback of Leonard and two more big players, Powell and Covington, so the Clippers in the second half of the zone will become the last opponent the playoff powerhouses want to meet.