This season's NBA regular season has quietly passed the halfway point, with fierce competition in the West. The top three teams have remained unchanged for over a month, with the Thunder firmly in first place, the Rockets' losses largely unexpected, and the Grizzlies maintaining a win rate of over 60%, with everyone contributing. In addition, the Mavericks have plummeted since Doncic's injury after Christmas, leading the 12th-placed Spurs by only two games. If Doncic returns during the All-Star period, the Mavericks may have to climb from 12th in the West. The Suns and Warriors maintain a 50% win rate, two teams that have fallen from first in the West, both with obvious problems but unable to solve them.
For example, the Suns want to trade Beal, but Beal is not willing; after Kuminga's injury, Curry lacks someone to carry the ball, making each game very tough. The Lakers are inconsistent, and it's hard to understand the team's direction, knowing only that Davis is tired at the five position, and LeBron sometimes feels his age. However, among this group, one team has been particularly stable, hovering between 5th and 7th place, which is the Clippers. To be precise, when Harden leads the team alone, he supports the Clippers' lower limit to a win rate exceeding 55%, and Leonard's return seamlessly connects, slowly putting the team on track. A 59-point victory and a 29-point victory! Despite being ruthlessly suppressed by the league, you are really going for the championship this season.
Starting with the Clippers' recent two big wins, due to the Los Angeles mountain fire, their previously postponed games have set dates, but honestly, they are absolutely hell-level difficulty, back-to-back against the Nets and Trail Blazers, a 59-point victory and a 29-point victory, without encountering any pressure. Moreover, Leonard scored 23 points in 24 minutes against the Nets, shooting 8-for-11 against double teams, gradually finding his rhythm! But then comes the Clippers' real challenge, back-to-back against the Lakers and Bulls, followed by continued back-to-back against the Celtics and Wizards, all home games, but four games in five days, few teams in the league can enjoy such an "honor"!
After the All-Star weekend, the Clippers will continue their back-to-back road trips in the East, and at the end of the season, the Clippers not only have back-to-back trips in the East, but also another six games in four days (two back-to-backs). According to the Clippers' accompanying reporter, he really doesn't understand why the Lakers' schedule can be arranged scientifically as a Los Angeles team, but when it comes to the Clippers, it's the toughest level? What makes the reporter even more helpless is that in the third stage of the All-Star voting, Harden, who can maintain a top-six level in the West when leading the team alone, ranks only sixth in the Western Conference backcourt votes, worse than Irving, who has no leadership ability, and Edwards, whose leadership record is much worse. Of course, according to American media reports, Curry is likely to lock in the starting spot for the Western Conference All-Star backcourt.
Including the official MVP list, the top 15 can include the James-Brow combination, the Kings' Sabonis, and the Pistons' Cunningham, but Harden can't get in. Regarding the league's ruthless suppression, we make no comment, but Harden's dream opportunity is really here! During the away game against the Trail Blazers, owner Ballmer made a rare appearance. According to the Los Angeles media, Ballmer is ready to step in to facilitate a blockbuster trade. American media offers two trading plans: First, the Trail Blazers offer Lowry + Grant in exchange for Powell + Mann + Tucker + first-round pick from the Clippers; Second, the Clippers offer Mann + Tucker + Hyland in exchange for Grant + Banton from the Trail Blazers. The Clippers still have one first-round pick and one first-round swap right available in the next seven years.
Simply put, this is Harden's last chance to win a championship! Grant is a space-type power forward, and his defense and shooting can relieve Leonard's pressure, allowing Leonard to go up against the less intense small forward position; Tucker's expiring contract, and Mann's value (a first-round pick), if they can get Lowry in exchange, Zubac's bench will be secured, and the Clippers' interior matchup issues will be completely resolved. By the way, Ballmer and the Trail Blazers' owner have a close relationship; the Trail Blazers' owner's father worked closely with Ballmer at Microsoft in the past. Once the trade is completed, the Clippers' lineup will have no weaknesses, and they should try not to let Powell go, playing the role of the engine off the bench, starting lineup: Harden + Derrick Jones + Leonard + Grant + Zubac.
The bench includes Powell + Coffey + Batum + Porter Jr. + Dunn, which is enough! Harden can ensure the team's lower limit, and a healthy Leonard has the ability to raise the team's upper limit. Harden is like the original Lowry, Zubac is equivalent to the original Gasol, and Leonard is just short of a Siaka-level forward partner. The Clippers are often unpopular, but in the first half of the season, Harden has carried all the hardships, and the rest may depend on Leonard.
