From a 3-6 record at the beginning of the season that was widely questioned, to now quietly jumping to the top of the West, the Clippers have completed a crazy nirvana and are one step closer to the championship! Although it took more than half a season to reach the top of the West, it is not an easy task to strengthen the West with such a strong team. The original No. 1 Timberwolves in the West have always been anticlimactic for so many years, and they have a luxurious lineup but have never been able to break through. This season, the Timberwolves are unusual, the regular season is very strong, the defense once ranked first in the league, the interior twin towers can be described as the league's most luxurious interior, and Edwards on the outside has gone further, and it is not easy to surpass the Timberwolves. As for the Thunder team, under the leadership of rising star Alexander, they also launched a strong attack on the first place in the West, and the Thunder have new team Holmgren and Giddey, as well as a group of potential newcomers, and the youth storm makes other teams not to be underestimated. And don't forget that there are also the Suns of the Big Three in the West, and the Mavericks with two stars on the outside. It is not easy for the Clippers to break through among many strong teams!
In fact, the Clippers had a very dismal performance at the beginning of the season, at that time, because Harden had just joined the team, and the Big Four did not know each other, so Tyronn Lue put all four on the court at the same time. Because Wei Shao's technical style is incompatible with Harden, because everyone knows that Wei Shao has no baskets, and organizationally he and Harden are a bit of a battle for the ball, which has proven to be a losing combination when the Rockets were around. But at that time, Tyronn Lue felt that he deliberately let Harden and Wei Shao start at the same time, and after verifying about 20 games, it finally proved that this lineup was really not good, and I also suggested that Harden or Wei Shao should be taken at that time. In the end, Wei Shao entered the bench, Harden and Ka Pepper cooperated, slowly ran in, and now finally grinded into a shape. Since the starting lineup of Harden, Mann, George, Jr. and Zubac was determined, George and Jr. no longer need to hold the ball for a long time, they only need to score. As for Zubac, as soon as he eats cakes and protects the basket, he doesn't have to think about the inside attack anymore. As for Mann, he can concentrate on defense and occasionally shoot an open three-pointer. Everyone has a clear division of labor with each other, and although it seems that Xiaoka and George's data have declined, their efficiency has improved significantly. Xiaoka often clocks out in the third quarter, and even if someone in the Big Four doesn't play well, the Clippers' fault tolerance rate also guarantees the record.
In previous seasons, Xiaoka and George have always been unable to guarantee their health, and they are often injured and stopped. Fans always say if the Clippers can be healthy. But in fact, the Clippers have never guaranteed health, and if a star is always a father and a mother, how can they ensure health? Now here is Harden, the top two-way guard, usually Harden takes the organization of offense as the task, once Xiaoka and George have someone to take on the task of organizing for him, the burden of the two will be greatly reduced, and they no longer have to play alone in every game, and the probability of injury will naturally be greatly reduced! Although Harden was not selected as an All-Star this season, the selection of both Carl Jr. and George is proof. And, even if Harden doesn't make the All-Star selection, no one can deny Harden's ability. The reason why Harden's stats are average is entirely because he is willing to make sacrifices and give up the ball. averaged about 11 shots per game, in exchange for 17A 6-point score, if converted to an average of 20 shots per game, what would that look like?
Tyronn Lue's insistence on the Big Four playing at the same time was both an experimental lineup, and in my opinion, it was also a deliberate attempt to make the four understand that someone had to make sacrifices. Now that Willis has made a sacrifice and returned to the bench, he has seen that Ka and George are becoming more and more efficient and healthy, and the Clippers' record is also rising step by step, and now they are higher in the first place in the West. I believe that Wei Shao must be able to realize that his sacrifice is worth it! Wei Shao can use his passion and impact on the bench, and at the same time, he can lead the second team to make up for it when the starting performance is not good. George, Harden, and Wei Shao are all players who have never won a championship, and they can make sacrifices for the championship, and the biggest sacrifice is Wei Shao and Harden!
In my opinion, the Clippers are the most balanced offensive and defensive team in the league today, both offensively and defensively, they are very forward. If the Clippers continue to play so well, they will finish first in the West at the end of the season, and it is unknown that Xiaoka will win his first regular season MVP. If Xiaoka wins the regular season MVP and the Clippers win the final championship, it will be the most perfect ending! Now the Clippers' lineup no longer needs to make big moves, only minor repairs are needed, such as disposing of Tucker who can't play, increasing outside projection, and so on. In fact, the only thing the Clippers need to ensure now is the health of the Big Four, sitting on the league's two most offensive and defensive all-round forwards, the Clippers are already ready to go! I was never a Clippers fan until Harden went to the Clippers. While the Clippers have high hopes every year, they have never been able to prove themselves in the playoffs. Now, a group of stars who desperately need to prove themselves have come together, and the only thing left to do is win that damn championship!
Supporting Harden for so many years, this is now the closest Harden has come to a championship since leaving the Thunder. Think about the original 18 rockets, and think of the unhappiness of the Nets Big Three and the 76ers later. On the road to the championship, Harden has had a bumpy fate. For Xiaoka, he has already won 2 championships and 2 FMVPs, and if he can win another championship this year, there is a high probability that FMVP will still be his. On the way to the championship, when there is never a time to be satisfied, the salary cut and early contract renewal have already explained the problem. Xiaoka has never been a statistically oriented star and doesn't like to talk much, but judging from his statement, he is very satisfied with working with George and Harden, even if he doesn't win the championship, he is willing. As for the remaining Big Three, the desire for the title is unquestionable. Ballmer is not bad for money, if the Clippers win the championship this year, and even as long as they can enter the finals, I believe that the contract renewal of George and Harden is a certainty!
This 6-1 win on the road to the top of the West is only a small step, but if you maintain your record, you will have home court advantage in the playoffs, which is also crucial in the playoffs. Now the Clippers are in full swing, while other competitors have more or less various problems. In fact, in the West, the Clippers' main competitors are the Suns and Nuggets. Even if these two teams have average records in the regular season, but in the playoffs, I am afraid that whoever meets them will have to shed their skin. As for the East, while the Celtics and Bucks look buzzing, I have a good chance of losing to the Knicks. Moreover, the Bucks are strong in offense and weak in defense, and they have also changed Rivers, the unjust coach, I really can't be optimistic about him. As for the Celtics, Shuangtanhua has always been exaggerated, especially Jaylen Brown, who doesn't seem to be able to play after getting a big contract.
From the Rockets to the Nets, who have supported Harden for so many years, and now they have finally seen the dawn of winning the championship, and they can't help but feel a lot of emotion. This season's small card deserves a regular season MVP! This season's Harden deserves a championship! This reminds me of back in the day, if Paul didn't get hurt, if Irving didn't be a demon, if Harden didn't have a hamstring strain. There are not so many ifs, Xiongguan Mandao is really like iron, and now we are stepping forward from the beginning! Clippers, rush, you are the champion in my heart!