Photo From: CluthPoints
I still cannot comprehend the fact that I am not watching the LA Clippers and LA Lakers Western Conference Finals?!? I mean it's all everyone's been talking about since this season started. Who's the better LA team? Paul George and Kawhi Leonard or Lebron James and Anthony Davis? Which team has more depth? Millions of questions we all had that were supposed to be answered during this series! The LA Clippers have never made it to a Western Conference Finals in the history of the franchise. Everyone thought this year would be different, the curse would be broken. Then...they blew a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets. They were right there, but couldn't close as the curse continued. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, known as the two way tandem of the team, couldn't pull through during game 7, not being able to score a single point in the fourth quarter. They finished with a total of 24 points combined, not so good right? On the other hand, the Nuggets became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit during the same playoff run. I mean there's no doubt in my mind that the Clippers are one of the best teams in the NBA, they have proved how strong they are during multiple occasions, showing that they have way more weapons than the super-star duo that was always talked about. We obviously know what Leonard and George are capable of, but the depth they have was supposed to be that extra ingredient that took them all the way. Personally, for me the third man during this whole series was Marcus Morris, he showed up each game, being that consistent outlet for the super duo to look for. But other than that the surrounding players brought a lot of disappointment. Let's start with Lou Williams, who acquired the Sixth Man of the Year Award three times, he is known to be the Clippers offensive plug, but couldn't meet expectations during the second round. Williams dropped from 35.2% in the regular season all the way to 13% against the Nuggets from the three-point range, along with just 36.8% from the floor. Teammate Landry Shamet also didn't play well as he was 17.6% from the three-point range, and 26.1% from the floor. Lastly, the most recent Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell, was shockingly playing terrible compared to what we have seen all season which isn't a good look considering he is entering free agency this upcoming offseason. Considering the Clippers being formed of many short term contracts, do you think that the lack of help from the supporting cast has the stars scared? Maybe leaving Clippers sooner than we thought? Both George and Leonard could enter free agency in 2021, which could quickly end this Clipper's dynasty we were all excited for. After the tough loss to the Denver Nuggets in game 7, apparently there was a big blow out in the Clippers locker room which consisted of a lot of “Scratching their heads,” about Doc Rivers recent coaching decisions, and “eye rolls and bewilderment,” while leader Paul George gave his end of the season speech. If the two stars choose to leave the Clippers, I don't see the Clippers finding the way out of the spell anytime soon.
