Tactics

With Doc Rivers at the helm, the LA Clippers have both the talent on the court and the mind off of it required to win in the NBA title. An NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, Rivers has been to the playoffs with the Clippers in all but one season since taking over in 2013. Rivers is a defensive coach, and such traits have translated to the assembling of this Clippers team; in Patrick Beverly, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers have a defensive trio that will intimidate even the best offenses in the league. On defense, the Clippers have the opportunity to switch multiple players around, perhaps enhancing the matchups in their favour. With Harrell’s size and physical tendencies, this Clippers team can protect the rim too. On offense, the Clippers tend to employ a spread of motion offense, with their players creating space by moving across the court. Paul George’s return will boost the team immensely, and will allow for less reliance on Kawhi Leonard and his impressive mid-range jumper. Harrell has also become an offensive focal point, hustling for points inside the key. The Clippers bench is another point of strength, allowing for rotations without sacrificing true quality on the court.

Predicted 2019-20 Record: 54-28

I believe that the Los Angeles Clippers are currently the best team in the NBA. They have stayed true to their ethos and schemes of previous years whilst adding Paul George, an All-Star, and Kawhi Leonard, the reigning Finals MVP. This team is going to be a defensive nightmare to play against, and will likely step it up in the postseason. I have them losing games due to ‘load management’ and whatnot that might see them fail to capture the number one seed, but this Clippers team is built for a deep postseason run.