Following their victory over the Brooklyn Nets with a staggering 59-point margin, the Portland Trail Blazers were unable to escape the suffocating defense of the Los Angeles Clippers, which has now reached its peak. To appreciate this pressure more directly, the NBA has released the latest team power rankings. Apart from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who dominate both offensively and defensively across the league, the Clippers' offensive performance is not as impressive as their defense. In the past six games, their defensive efficiency ranks second in the league. Although there is still a significant gap with the Thunder, they have achieved a level that other championship contenders find hard to match.
Currently, the Clippers' record stands at 23 wins and 17 losses, placing them fourth in the West, a result that continues to earn them the admiration of many fans. During the offseason, two All-Stars, Westbrook and Paul George, left without compensation, and Leonard, who had renewed his contract early, suffered a knee injury at the start of the season. Faced with a lineup missing three major scoring points, Tyronn Lue placed all his hopes on James Harden, expecting him to transform into the 2018 MVP, and he responded with an average of 21.4 points and 8 assists per game.
Even though the 35-year-old Harden no longer possesses his previous scoring explosiveness, his ability to organize offense remains unparalleled. When initiating pick-and-rolls, the characteristics of Zubac and K.Jones are greatly highlighted, making scoring easier. The former even delivered a double-double with 15 points and 12.5 rebounds, significantly enhancing his value of $58 million over three years. Everything has two sides; the 35-year-old Harden's physical endurance is limited, and it is difficult for him alone to turn the team's advantages into victories. Therefore, the coaching staff began to show their wisdom.
Tyronn Lue, for the long-term development of the team, began to strengthen his coaching staff. The Clippers spared no expense during the offseason, bringing in the Celtics' meritorious coach, Jeff Van Gundy, to Los Angeles, resulting in a complete change of fortunes for both teams. The defending champions gradually lost their way, while the Clippers grew stronger with each battle. The additions of Little Jones and Dunn perfectly matched the team's current tactical system. Moreover, the management began to redeploy on the offensive end, to leverage Harden's advantage in positional warfare, they must reduce the number of possessions. Considering the need for scoring points, they allowed Powell to participate in more ball-handling offensive possessions, increasing his average number of shots by a full 6 times compared to last season, and he delivered a satisfying performance, averaging 23.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
On January 19, 2025, Beijing time, according to NBA legend Charles Barkley, he believes Powell should make the All-Star team this season. Indeed, Barkley's remarks are not without reason; excellent team performance and personal play are the criteria for consideration. At the same time, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has explicitly stated that based on the surprising effects of the NBA Cup, they need to change the All-Star format, transforming from the traditional East vs. West competition to four teams facing off, which means a simple game requires up to 48 players. According to the third round of All-Star voting, Powell successfully ranked tenth among Western backcourt players. Whether it's the league's internal decision or external voting, Powell has successfully attracted more attention from fans, and his selection to the All-Star team is just a matter of time.
