NBA regular season action continues, and despite the Clippers not being scheduled for a Christmas Day game, their ranking has been affected by other matchups. Among them, the Lakers defeated the Warriors 115-113 on the road, a result that indirectly impacted the Clippers.
The Clippers Need to Rely on Themselves to Return to the Top 6!
After the Lakers' victory over the Warriors, both the Clippers and Lakers have a record of 17 wins and 13 losses. The Lakers temporarily rank ahead of the Clippers due to their record against Western Conference teams, leaving the Clippers in the seventh spot in the West, back in the play-in tournament zone. However, the Clippers don't need to panic too much as their upcoming schedule isn't particularly challenging. Their next game is at home against the Warriors, who are currently struggling, and the Clippers haven't lost to the Warriors this season, earning them the nickname "Warriors Killer." Following that, the Clippers will face the Pelicans, Spurs, Thunder, and Hawks in succession. Aside from the Thunder, the rest are on the fringes of playoff contention, with the Pelicans even at the bottom of the West. If the Clippers seize these opportunities, returning to the top 6 in the West should be manageable.
Aiming for the Championship, the Clippers' Strength Is Promising!
Clearly, even though they're currently seventh in the West, the Clippers' overall performance far exceeds expectations. With Leonard out due to injury, Harden has stepped up, and Powell has become the most stable offensive force, leading the team in scoring. Zubac continues to improve, with a significant impact under the basket. The two new additions, Little Derrick Jones and Dunn, have filled the void left by Leonard and George's frontline defense. In terms of defense alone, their performance and efficiency might even surpass that of Leonard and George's combination. Moreover, during Leonard's absence, the Clippers have cultivated remarkable resilience, always fighting until the last moment against any opponent, which gives them a chance to win and will significantly aid them in the future.
Thus, when Leonard returns healthy, the Clippers' strength becomes highly anticipated. We won't dwell on defense; Leonard, Little Jones, Dunn, Mann, and others can form two top-tier frontline defensive units, enabling the Clippers to maintain a high level of defensive performance throughout the 48 minutes. Currently, the Clippers' defensive efficiency ranks in the top 5 in the league, and with Leonard's return, they could challenge for the top 3 in defensive efficiency. The Clippers' main issue lies in offensive consistency; they often falter. Especially when the team struggles, tactics fail, and players miss shots, most teams would rely on their stars to solve problems, and Leonard can fill that gap. It seems that once Leonard returns, the Clippers could become a truly balanced team without any weaknesses on both ends of the court.
The Clippers Must Still Exercise Caution Regarding Leonard's Injury!
While we struggle to find flaws in a fully healthy lineup, injuries are undoubtedly the Clippers' biggest enemy. There were reports that Leonard would return before Christmas. However, the latest news is that the Clippers have announced Leonard will not return in the next game against the Warriors. This information once again thrusts Leonard into the spotlight, causing disappointment for those eagerly awaiting his return. Nonetheless, the Clippers' decision is correct. They don't care about winning or losing one or two games, especially since they're still on track, with good team chemistry. They can let these players continue playing in the current style, as there hasn't been a significant drop in their record or systemic crises.
In essence, ensuring Leonard's health and his ability to complete the entire season is more important than the Clippers securing more victories in the regular season. For example, if Leonard were to rush back and secure a top 4 or even higher position in the West during the regular season, it would all be for naught if his knee fails him in the playoffs. Conversely, if Leonard can be energetic during the playoffs, the Clippers wouldn't mind starting from any position, even if they lose with a full squad, at least they would have no regrets.