The Clippers' record continues to rise, and the Western Conference landscape is quietly changing. During Harden's leadership, the team has climbed to sixth in the West, with the same record as the Lakers in fifth place. The potential of this team seems far from being fully activated.
Recently, in a home game against the Warriors, the entire Clippers squad delivered a resounding victory. The trio of Powell, Zubac, and Harden showed remarkable chemistry, contributing a comprehensive stat line of 62 points, 18 rebounds, and 12 assists. Such a performance evokes memories of the Clippers' glorious past.
Even more exciting is the steady improvement in the team's overall strength. Bench players like Derrick Jones, Dunn, and Coffey have repeatedly broken their personal scoring records, showcasing their impressive offensive and defensive capabilities on the court. This all-team blooming approach makes the Clippers' games more unpredictable and difficult to defend.
With the Nuggets suffering two consecutive losses, the Clippers seized the opportunity to overtake them and are now only 1.5 games behind the fourth-place Mavericks in the West. At this moment of great anticipation, Leonard's return will undoubtedly inject a strong stimulant into the team.
Speaking of Harden, his performance this season is truly eye-catching. Behind the average stats of 22 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game lies his outstanding organizational skills and seasoned match experience. In the league, there are very few players who can lead their team to the playoffs for 15 consecutive years, which is exactly where Harden excels.
It is worth mentioning that Harden has already scored 30+ twice in half a game this season, a record that no one has matched so far. His 102 career performances of 40+ are the most among active players. Under his leadership, Zubac's performance has been stunning, with an average of 15.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, all setting new personal highs.
Leonard's comeback is scheduled for January 5th against the Hawks. As a two-time FMVP winner, his return will undoubtedly elevate the Clippers' strength to another level. However, keeping him in good health will be a major challenge for the coaching staff.
The Clippers' current roster configuration is arguably the most complete it has been in recent years, but to stand out in the West, the team needs to maintain this competitive state. Leonard's return may bring some tactical adjustments, but the resilience and fighting spirit shown by this team have already made opponents wary.
Judging from the current situation, the Clippers are fully capable of challenging the top four in the West. The team has achieved such results without Leonard, and when he returns, the Clippers' competitiveness will surely be further enhanced. The key is to seize this momentum and maintain stable performance in the second half of the regular season.
As the season progresses, the Clippers' chemistry is getting better and better, and the cooperation between players is becoming more cohesive. Harden's excellent organizational skills make the offense more diverse. Zubac's dominance in the paint complements Harden's outside threat, making opponents struggle defensively.
The potential of this Clippers team is gradually being unleashed, and Leonard's return will undoubtedly be the catalyst. In the upcoming schedule, the Clippers will face more challenges, but as long as they maintain their current momentum, qualifying for the playoffs should not be a problem. How far they can go will depend on whether the team can explode with its maximum potential at critical moments.