How the Los Angeles Clippers could comeback and win the 2018 NBA Championship
The season is almost over. Could the Los Angeles Clippers defy all odds and comeback to win the NBA Finals?
Okay, I know. It sounds silly. I can hear it now: “They are a fringe playoff team. How could they win it all?” Well as Los Angeles Clippers fans we need to be optimistic and remember that crazier things have happened, right (no)? Well, if we were to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy this season, a lot of things would need to go perfectly.
First
The Clippers would need to secure a playoff spot. At this point in time, it would probably be the 7 or 8. Unless something crazy happens, this would pair us against either the Rockets or the Warriors. Let’s not lie to ourselves, the Warriors are the best team in the league even though they are not currently the 1 seed. Our best bet would to play against ol’ Christopher Emmanuel Paul himself and the Houston Rockets in round 1, so let’s say we finish as the 8 seed and the Rockets finish 1. Now that’s a daunting first round matchup if you ask me. Yes, we did beat them this season, but winning 4 out of 7 would be on another level.
To successfully take down the Rockets, one key step would be for James Harden to have another rough playoff performance. We all remember how he collapsed in the 2017 playoffs against the Spurs. Now we can’t make him choke, but we can cross our fingers and we will cross them tight. Next, we need Chris Paul’s signature move to be on point: poor playoff progression. Now with their two best players being off should be an easy sweep. Also, a Lou Williams 40 point night would be nice, and it would nice for the Clippers to not have any injuries. Finally, it would be a very excellent way to show the Rockets what they lost in Montrezl Harrell.
Second
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Once the Rockets are dealt with, we would then take the winner of the 4-5 matchup. That is currently a very Anthony Davis dependent Pelicans team and the Thunder. Let’s says we would take on OKC in the second round. This may be just as challenging due to their big three or it may be significantly easier due to their lack of depth. I think the only way Russell Westbrook can be stopped is by himself. He can either lead them to a win or shoot them out of a game. Also, if Carmelo Anthony and Paul George started struggling that would help too (Notice a theme? We just need the other teams to forget how to play basketball).
Third
Here’s a (not so) hot take – the Warriors make the Conference Finals. I know, crazy idea that the best team of the last 20 years continues their playoff dominance. We would need to do what only one team has done in the past 3 years: beat the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. “So under what crazy circumstances can the Clippers beat the Warriors in a 7 game series” you ask. Well, let’s think. Since December 26, 2014, the Clippers have beaten the Warriors once. The plan is simple: hope and pray that this series would be under the exact same circumstances. All we need for that to happen is for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to sit out. Also, Lou Williams will need to drop 50 every night. Easy peasy.
Fourth
Finally, a moment all Clipper fans around the globe have waited for: their team in the NBA Finals. Let’s say that there they face the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they have LeBron James. This will be tough. Tobias Harris will get the chance to prove he is a bona fide star in this league. Lou Williams will need to continue light up enemy benches. DeAndre Jordan will continue to be our much needed defensive anchor (something the Cavaliers envy). And perhaps the most pleasing, Montrezl Harrell will prove to the world that he can be what Blake Griffin was. In addition, it wouldn’t be horrible if the Cavaliers were as dysfunctional as they have been in the regular season.
Like I said, things would need to go perfectly for LAC to raise a banner of their own. It would be a magical moment everyone and their mother would remember for the rest of their lives. And even if things don’t go to my plan above, we would still potentially end up with two lottery picks, meaning things are bright in the City of Angels.