The LA Clippers are 9-2 in their last 11 games
After sending Chris Paul home and new players like John Collins and Brook Lopez finally understanding their roles on a new team, the vibes and overall play have dramatically improved and the Clippers are playing more in line with a top 3 record in the league they were projected to have.
Kawhi Leonard is playing at a top 3-5 level in the league right now and is a two way monster. James Harden has also played like a top 15 player this season carrying the load whenever Kawhi is resting and stepping up whenever needed.
This duo can go toe to toe with anyone in the league and add Ivica Zubac to that mix and that trio is devastating as anyone in the league.
There’s a roadmap given how easy their schedule is the rest of the season where they can climb up to the 8 seed, win the play in game and get into the 7 seed seed and stay on the opposite side of the bracket of OKC. Hell, with the help from the teams above they may even be able to get to the 6 seed at the pace they’re playing along with games left against those teams where they can control their own destiny.
Not to mention the fact that they have expiring contracts, a 1st round pick and even Ivica Zubac they can use to get someone like MPJ and Claxton from the Nets for example. That would add a true 3rd option, sometimes even 2nd scoring option to make the Clippers even more lethal offensively while keeping rim protection.
The way the Clippers are playing, who should they even be scared of? OKC is trending down, Denver is injured and the load on Jamal Murray right now might lead him to getting injured down the line at the wrong time. Also who knows how Jokic looks when he comes back. Rockets don’t have a point guard. Lakers defense is bad. Timberwolves don’t a bench. Spurs are too young and their guards can’t shoot.
In the East the Clippers are 2-0 against the Pistons, Jalen Brunson isn’t scaring anyone as a first option and Tatum won’t be himself when he comes back.
The Clippers are playing like the best team in the league right now on both ends of the floor and are primed for upsetting a bunch of teams in the playoffs who were deemed better than them and will ultimately make the Finals and win it all.