In the NBA this season, the performance of the Clippers once cheered up fans, and the addition of James Harden set off a wave of victories. However, with the rampant injuries after the All-Star break, the team's record has plummeted, and the shortcomings of the interior have also become a major concern. What's even more worrying is that the young Thunder team has become the biggest sufferer for the Clippers, putting the team in a difficult situation.
1.Harden joins to lead the winning wave.
The James Harden trade became the most high-profile episode of the season. His arrival breathed new life into the Clippers, scoring 30 points in several consecutive games and leading the team to a league-leading record. Fans thought that the dream of winning the championship was close at hand, however, the good times were short-lived, and after the All-Star break, the team began to face a huge test.
2.Injuries swept after the All-Star break.
After the All-Star break, injuries became a nightmare for the Clippers. From Leonard to George, Zubac to Wei Shao, the core players have been injured one after another, which has put the team in a lot of trouble. The team's record plummeted, and the losing streak became commonplace, which made people wonder, is the physical strength of these old boys still good?
3.Interior shortcomings lead to a losing streak.
Against a strong team on the inside, the Clippers struggled. The Timberwolves, Nuggets, Lakers, Thunder, all four teams seem to have found a way to restrain the Clippers, especially the interior problems that have caused the team to lose repeatedly. Interior players such as Jokic, Bushy Eyebrows, and Wood frequently showed dominance in the game, making it difficult for the Clippers to deal with.
4.The young Thunder became the biggest sufferer.
The biggest surprise of the season is that the young Thunder have become the biggest sufferer for the Clippers. Super strong on the inside, accurate on the outside, fast running, and the young and energetic Thunder team is almost the nemesis of the Clippers. Not only did they outperform their opponents on a technical level, but their youthful physicality left the seasoned Clippers in the dust.
For the Clippers, the road to the championship has not been smooth. Injuries and shortcomings on the inside have become key factors restricting the team's further development. For the remainder of the season, the Clippers will need to overcome these difficulties and regain their winning streak. And fans will also be hoping that they can find a way to get back to the top against tough opponents.