We are one month into the NBA season and everything seems pretty normal.
Cleveland and Golden State are cruising through teams, the 76ers and Nets are still awful, Steph Curry leads the league in three-pointers and Russell Westbrook leads the league in triple-doubles.
However, there is one surprise. The Los Angeles Clippers hold the best record in the NBA. They sit with a pretty 13-2 record and the best start to a season in franchise history.
After five years with their core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, it seems everything is coming together for the Clippers. They currently sit second in both offensive and defensive ratings and not only are they winning, they are destroying teams. They have the highest margin of victory, winning each contest by 13 points.
On Tuesday the Clippers took down the formidable Raptors by eight points. After the game, the Raptors head coach, Dwane Casey, called the Clippers “the best team in the league.”
The Clippers have been a championship contender every season since they secured Paul from New Orleans, they just crumble in the playoffs. Last year they were upset in the first round by the Portland Trailblazers. The year before that they blew a 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets.
For Clippers to win it all this season, they will likely have to go through the star-studded Golden State Warriors and defeat the reigning champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers, which does seem like mission impossible. However, if the Clippers can maintain their form throughout the season and into the postseason, they might be able to prove all the doubters wrong.
This team does have all of the ingredients for to be the 2017 NBA champions. They have one of the league’s best floor generals in Chris Paul, an ultra-skilled power forward in Blake Griffin, an elite shot blocker and rebounder in DeAndre Jordan, a deadly sharpshooter in JJ Redick and a wing defender in Luc Mbah a Moute.
Throw in one of the top coaches in the NBA in Doc Rivers and a productive bench and you’ve got yourself one hell of a basketball team.
Their stars are in their prime, yet, they don’t completely rely on them. They don’t need Griffin to score 40 points or Paul to have 15 assists every game. They are playing great team basketball and reaping the rewards.
The Clippers verse the Cavaliers in a week and play the warriors shortly after that. These two games will put the Clippers to the test and we should have a better idea on how much this team really has improved.
Swampy
Guest
They are also on a 6 game losing streak against the Warriors. If the standings stayed the way they are the Warriors would have to beat the Spurs in the semis then the Clippers (should all seedlings go to form). How good would a first round match up be between GSW & OKC? Which is very possible.
Larry Bird
Roar Rookie
Wing is definitely the biggest issue. If they play their 2 big lineup there will be considerable stretches where Austin Rivers or Wes Johnson have to guard KD. If they play small they lose their comparative advantage.
astro
Guest
I believe I called the Clips in June (http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/06/21/revisiting-2015-16-nba-season-predictions/) and after a cosy 15 games, I'm feeling good!!! To Swampy's point above though, it all depends on health for the Clippers. That, and Mbah a Moute's shooting - he's jumped from being a 30% 3 pt shooter to 43% this year, which is insane. If he keeps that up (long shot), the Clips will be tough to stop.
OJP
Guest
spot on about needing to stay injury free; they dont have 'a productive bench' imo ...
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Still lacking a proper good wing player though, they also seem to get over that massive mental obstacle against the Warriors, for the past 2 years they have looked good against them and then just fallen in a heap in the 2nd half. They certainly look a different squad this year though.
Swampy
Guest
Clippers big issue is their bench. It's improved greatly this year - the Speights pick up was excellent. If the starters can stay healthy then I believe they are hungrier than GSW for the Title. Clippers vs Cavs for NBA Finals. Injury free disclaimer. I'm pretty sure I left a comment on one of Ryan's bold prediction columns boldly predicting the Clips to win the West.