The Clippers are the team to watch out for this season, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the way. But can they win the NBA Title?
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Led by 2-time NBA champion and reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and multi-time All-star and defensive juggernaut Paul George, the Clippers with a deep squad have a real shot to win the title. With a 2-1 record over the flying Lakers and dominant defensive All-star duo, the side coached by Doc Rivers might finally win it all this year.
Reason 1- Kawhi Leonard
The two-time NBA champion and four-time NBA champion is one of the best defenders and two-way players in the entire league. With a team high 26.7 points and 7.3 rebounds, Kawhi seems to be in great touch this year. He elevates his game in the playoffs and his performances for Toronto in the playoffs were a testament to it.
The NBA returns July 30th on TNT!@utahjazz vs. @PelicansNBA @LAClippers vs. @Lakers pic.twitter.com/2jS1bSMfM6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 27, 2020
Clippers have utilized him efficiently by managing his minutes well and Kawhi would now be rearing to go after a big lockdown. Kawhi also seems to have an upper hand over James on both ends of the floor and this might prove crucial if the teams were to play in the conference finals.
With a title win at Clippers, Leonard could also become the third player to win NBA titles with three different teams.
Read more: How will Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers line up for NBA Bubble restart?
Reason 2- Paul George
The 6-time All star has not played much this season. George has never had a great playoff series in his career. But this seems the perfect year for George to change the narrative about his career. His defensive skills have always been immaculate.
With Kawhi around, he and Paul will form one of the best defensive combinations in the entire NBA. With 21 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, George was beginning to find his rhythm. With 8 more games to go before the playoffs, George has enough games to get back in rhythm.
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Sources: Travel dates for 22 NBA teams to Orlando:
– July 7: Nets, Nuggets, Magic, Suns, Jazz, Wizards
– July 8: Celtics, Mavericks, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat, Pelicans, Thunder, Kings
– July 9: Rockets, Pacers, Lakers, Bucks, 76ers, Trail Blazers, Spurs, Raptors— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2020
Reason 3 – Deep squad
If the Lakers are known for their team chemistry, then the Clippers have a deep squad to retaliate. The Clippers went 48-34 in the 2018-19 season sans the two All-stars. Now with the addition of two All-stars this past off-season, Clippers definitely have the deepest squad this season.
With a plethora of defensive talent like Patrick Beverley, Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers might be the best defensive team in the league. With a clutch scorer like Lou Williams in their side, the Clippers also have decent amount of offense to go all the way.
Although All-stars Kawhi and George haven’t played together much with the rest of the team, they still have decent time to gel together and go into the record books as the NBA champions 2019-20.
