The Needed Apology to the Los Angeles Clippers

To preface this article, I wrote this on December 18th and I never published it. Oh well but last night the Clippers showed their full display of greatness and James Harden’s vintage performance garnered some media attention. Harden had 35 points and 9 assists, while Kawhi and PG had 28 and 27 points respectfully. Zubac had his one game a week where he looks like a top 5 center putting up 18 and 16. Obviously, the Pacers have the worst defense in the league but what the Clippers are doing should be talked about more. Winning 8 games in a row, the Clips look as good as they have since the Kawhi era started. I broke down the recent success of the Clippers below.

The Los Angeles Clippers have won 7 games in a row and 12 of their last 15 games and have been playing the best basketball in the NBA. When James Harden got traded to the Clippers, the National Media was ripping LA for trading for Harden and many thought there were too many cooks in the kitchen with Harden, Kawhi, PG, and Russ. In the opening press conference James Harden said “I’m not a system player, I’m a system.” All of NBA twitter lost it and immediately fat-shamed Harden for showing up to 76ers training camp out of shape. After going on an anti-Morey summer campaign, Harden got his wish and got traded to the Clippers for a couple of picks and some washed NBA players. I am not sure what happened between him and Daryl Morey but the Harden trade worked out for both teams and has allowed Tyrese Maxey to blossom into a star. Since it is the NBA, both teams will be clowned for their inevitable second round exit but let’s break down the recent success of the Clippers.

When Harden first got traded to LA, the Clippers lost their first 5 games including a loss at home to the Memphis Grizzlies. Although everyone on the team needed to get used to playing with James Harden, losing the first 5 games was a tough look and the National Media had a field day with the Clippers. What turned around this team was former MVP, Russell Westbrook, volunteering to come off the bench and to start Terance Mann instead. Since then, the Clippers have not looked back. In the Clippers last 5 games, Harden is averaging 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The Clippers have 6 players averaging double-digit points per game. Kawhi Leonard finally looks fully healthy and has been on a scoring frenzy averaging 30 points per game in his last 10. The role players have played great too. Guys like Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Terance Mann have played their role really well. Daniel Theis has been a great free agent pickup and has provided much needed big man depth with the injury to Mason Plumlee.

I don’t love the Clippers and I haven’t rooted for James Harden since he left OKC. However, the 2 former MVPs on the Clippers got a lot of disrespect from the media this year and now they are playing well, you do not hear a word about the Clippers. After watching them put up 144 against the Knicks, they are as talented as any NBA team in the league. I hope the Clippers can stay healthy throughout the year as they have usually struggled with this and I want this to serve as the public apology to the Clippers since the National Media would never.