At the top spot, #1 we have the Los Angeles Clippers on our SneakerReporter Bubble Breakdowns. The new Clippers roster has quickly re-established themselves as a force in the Western Conference after the breakdown of Lob City years ago. The Clippers have been an organization that have struggled to progress through the NBA Playoffs, never quite making it to the Conference Finals. This may just be subject to change, now with NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and perennial All-Star Paul George having joined the team last offseason.
Although the Clippers players luckily did not encounter any issues with the Corona Virus, the Clippers will in fact be short handed upon the NBA Restart, with Patrick Beverly, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams all not participating until further notice. The Clippers withheld the top spot in Bench scoring this season, and without Williams and Harrell coming off the bench, the scoring off the bench significantly drops.
I think some NBA fans have high hopes that an L.A. team will be the one to emerge from the Western Conference to play in the Finals, and as unfortunate as it sounds for other teams, their odds are arguable better than their opponents. Personally, I’d have to agree with such thoughts, it’s hard to deny Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on one team, alongside the large amount of acquisitions that the organization made throughout the season. Between Reggie Jackson, Joakim Noah, and Marcus Morris, the Clippers gained a large amount of solid players to fill for any holes that the Clippers may have. This Clippers team is very much a parallel of their Los Angeles counterparts. Both teams have a premier roster with well versed veteran presences, as well as young, up and coming players to compliment them.
Clippers’ Season In-Review (44-20, 2nd in West):
Although not withholding the 1st seed in the Western Conference, the Clippers are ranked in the league 3rd in Offensive Rating and 5th in Defensive Rating. This came fairly naturally for the Clippers, having a roster comprising heavily of two-way players like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Montrezl Harrell, Marcus Morris, and at times Patrick Beverly. During any given game, any player on this roster is susceptible of being the player who impacts the game heavily, which can be entirely frustrating for other teams because it makes defending them just as difficult as trying to score against them.
Looking Into the Bubble:
With this break in the action, although unwanted by many, was good for the Clippers, as many other teams because it gave them time to heal themselves physically and mentally. In regards to the Clippers, it was very much important because Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who in years past, have struggled to play on a consistent basis utilizing the load management to remain healthy throughout the season. This could have quite potentially been what the Clippers needed to refuel, which in turn is a scary thought for the other teams league wide.
Like many of other higher seeded teams coming into the restart, the Clippers have no real need to compete at a level that would put themselves at risk. However, the lack of players that will be on the floor for the Clippers makes things a bit difficult, for this is a time where players need to work out the kinks of competition. The Clippers don’t necessarily have the most difficult schedule, on the bright side. They face off against their biggest competition, according to the NBA Standings, in the Lakers, today. From there, the Clippers face-off against lower seeded teams from both Eastern and Western Conferences, which possibly provide a challenge for the undermanned Clippers. Regardless of it all, the Clippers kick their NBA Restart off tonight against the Lakers, 9:00 pm ET.
