We’re not going to say the complete NBA world was calling the Los Angeles Clippers a bust in November, however that certain appeared to the consensus of the louder voices.
Nicely, occasions have modified. Due to losses by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the Clippers have moved into first place within the Western Convention with a report of 34-15.
LA has received 9 of its final 10 and most lately beat the Atlanta Hawks in a 149-144 shootout.
Clearly, the Clippers aren’t assured to remain there and are nonetheless months away from the playoffs the place the group has clearly seen no vital success. They’ll stay the Clippers till they do one thing the Clippers have by no means accomplished.
And but, their modifications since Nov. 14 have been wild.
On that date, the group misplaced its sixth straight recreation and its fifth straight since going all-in on James Harden. That defeat was significantly brutal, a detailed one to a Denver Nuggets group lacking Jamal Murray to successfully eradicate them from the NBA in-season event. Paul George was so incensed he made feedback in regards to the refs that value him $35,000.
It was at that time a number of modifications have been made:
Maybe essentially the most vital transfer was to easily let Harden settle into an offense alongside George and Kawhi Leonard, who as soon as once more seems to be like one of the crucial dominant gamers within the NBA. Since coming back from a hip harm on Jan. 1, Leonard is averaging 24.5 factors, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks whereas taking pictures a wildly environment friendly .550/.506/.922.
It was straightforward to make enjoyable of Harden through the dropping streak. It made for a enjoyable narrative, that of the washed-up bridge-burner who managed to sink a would-be NBA energy. The fact is he was a participant (a system?) who joined the group days earlier than his debut with no coaching camp or preseason and was immediately anticipated to have the complete offense run by means of him.
After some rising pains, the Clippers look, properly, grown. Once more, we’ll see if the group works as properly when the strain is on and opponents get repeated seems to be at them within the NBA playoffs, however they’ve managed to place themselves ready that may have been unthinkable only some months in the past.
