Conor Perry |
The Los Angeles Clippers are a losing franchise. Plain and simple. They have been to one conference championship and consistently break fans' hearts year after year with promising teams. This year it feels different. The Clippers went out trading for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the 2019 offseason. The team has been disappointing at best due to the “championship or bust '' mentality they have every new season. Countless injuries to both stars have destroyed playoff runs. Last year both stars were hurt but luckily picked up Russell Westbrook, who at one point last season seemed like no one wanted him. Russell Westbrook shined in the 2023 playoffs, putting up many memorable performances against a stacked Phoenix Suns team.
“2024 has to be our year,” said the hungry Clippers fanbase. They were right because if it didn’t work out this year the Clippers would have to break up the two stars: The Claw and PG13.
If I told any fan before the season started that the Clippers would have former MVP James Harden on their squad, they wouldn’t believe me. Well, they do and are soaring to new heights and looking like a legit championship squad. It started shaky, but James Harden is looking like his Rockets self. Kawhi and Paul George have played almost every game due to the new restriction on load management. Adam Silver and the NBA have been consistently trying to battle stars sitting out without injuries, especially Kawhi Leonard.
Russell Westbrook has embraced a new role on the bench and has worked wonders for the team. They are 4th in the Western Conference standings and are not stopping. If injuries don’t strike this team down in April then you may see a banner hanging up in the Clipper's new stadium next year. But, as all fans know, the possibility of injuries come playoff time is never far-fetched.
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