Since the new century, the NBA has been in a situation of "strong west and weak east", which lasted until the fall of the Warriors dynasty. Today, the situation has changed completely, and it is not an exaggeration to call it "strong in the east and weak in the west". This phenomenon is particularly evident this season, with only the Suns and Warriors having the basic game of championship-winning teams throughout the Western Conference, and it seems that there is still a gap in grade between the Warriors and the Suns. In contrast, in the East, the Bucks, 76 and the Heat are three-legged, after Irving's return, the Nets are also a championship force to be reckoned with, as well as the bulls that have sprung up, and the competition in the East is too fierce.
This year is the most moderate period for western teams, and from another point of view, it is also the best opportunity for other teams to rush out of the West in one fell swoop, and the Clippers plan is like this. According to clippers reporters, Leonard's recovery exceeded the Clippers' expectations, and for the sake of safety, the Clippers may let him return with George in March. In the case of two core players can not play, the Clippers still maintain the eighth position in the West, but also steadily press the Lakers with the big three. Coupled with the earth-shattering deal before the trade deadline, the overall strength of the Clippers has reached the level of a playoff team. If the Twins can make their comeback in March as they wish, the Clippers will be the biggest dark horse team in the West.
Leonard suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee in the playoffs last May, and it wasn't until the end of the playoffs that Leonard was officially underwent surgery, with an expected recovery time of eight months to a year. Early in the season, George led the team alone and played one of the best performances of his career, averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2 steals per game, which was convincing as a team core. But the good times did not last long, george suffered an elbow injury after 26 games, and at one point was close to season reimbursement. However, recently Clippers head coach Terren lu repeatedly mentioned George's situation in an interview: "George is very optimistic, he is still some time away from coming back, and we will see him return in March with blood." "If George and Leonard make their comebacks smoothly, the first championship in Clippers history won't be too far away from them.
It now seems that the Clippers want to enter the upper half of the West is very difficult, but it is not difficult to break free from the shackles of the playoffs. If both George and Leonard can play in the last 15 games remaining in the regular season, it's not impossible for the Clippers to hit the Top Six in the West through this time. Entering the playoffs, the Clippers will be an opponent that neither the Suns nor the Warriors want to meet. The Clippers, who are fully returning, are undoubtedly a championship-contending team, and neither the Suns nor the Warriors have any advantage in terms of absolute strength.
The Suns have already seen the Clippers' prowess, and despite Leonard's injury, they were still won twice by the Clippers. Even if the Clippers don't have enough reserves of centers, their forward lineup is able to overwhelm the Suns' interior players. Still, Ayton is a problem the Clippers can't solve, and Leonard's small-ball lineup may be able to force the Suns to take down Ayton. And the Warriors' small-ball lineup has almost become a disadvantage in front of the Clippers. The Clippers are capable of putting together a pure-forward lineup of George, Covington, Batum, Leonard and Morris, with Reggie Jackson and Powell on the bench. Limiting the Warriors' best weapon, the Infinite Change of Guard, is the Clippers' specialty.
In addition to this, the Clippers have an often forgotten advantage — Tyronelu's coaching ability. Since Rivers left school and Tyrone Lu took office, the Clippers have gone from being a team that is reversed every day to a reversal team. They have become the most knowledgeable team in the league on how to play against the wind, and reversing victories is already a common thing for them.
Building a team with a double front was the Clippers' main chip to attract Leonard at that time. Now, the Clippers have made a complete breakthrough, and they have achieved the most popular small-ball lineup of the moment, which is also the conjecture of Pat Riley , with five forward players on the court at the same time. This Clipper, it is difficult not to be favored, they take the posture of the weak, frequently repelled the strong enemy. Just like today, they hit the Lakers again, even if they sit off the court george, Leonard and Powell, the top three scorers on the team. Such Clippers, what reason do we have not to be optimistic about them?