Role Players mark the LA Clippers as a legitimate Championship favorite

Are the LA Clippers a legitimate title favorite? Do they have significant firepower and roster depth to overcome their fellow challengers? Let’s take a look

A new era has dawned in Los Angeles. Having won the sweepstakes for the services of Kawhi Leonard, the LA Clippers have succeeded in incorporating the leading two way talent in the league to a roster that amassed a near 50 game win record in the regular season last season. According to popular consensus, the inclusion of a superstar of Leonard’s caliber to a squad that over-passed expectations and managed to seriously challenge a fully healthy Warriors team, would instantaneously be considered as a contender.

Nevertheless, with their fellow city rival arguably boasting two of the top five stars in the league, the Clippers had to supplement the Klaw’s inclusion with another All star caliber piece to be considered a challenger.

However, with fellow big-name free agents electing to represent other franchises, the orthodox view was that Leonard would be the sole star to don the Clippers jersey. Hence, the news that followed sent shock waves across the league, where the Clippers reportedly finalized a blockbuster trade for MVP candidate and premier two way wing, Paul George. The deal involved a record five first round picks, pick swaps, promising sophomore guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and combo forward, Danilo Gallinari. While this may have been a steep price to pay, it accomplished the Clippers’ goal of ameliorating their roster presently.

The decline of the Warriors in the current off-season has offered contending teams a clear window to erect a realistic title challenge. Several NBA franchises have constructed their roster around two stars for the near future. With several teams possessing dynamic duos, it’s more than just the pairing of George and Leonard that brands the Clippers as title favorites. The pieces they’ve surrounded their superstar wings around, is what brands them as a legitimate championship favorite.

Approaching the upcoming season, the Clippers finalized deals for a stretch forward in Jamychal Green, who’d played a meaningful role in the franchise’s playoff tilt in the prior season; a culture setter and agitator in Patrick Beverley, an undervalued wing in Rodney Mcgruder, who’d exhibited a well rounded game under Erik Spoelstra’s tutelage and a young rim-protecting big in Ivica Zubac. In addition they’d acquired a versatile wing in Maurice Harkless, in an excellent deal where the team was compensated with a first round pick for simply absorbing his salary into their cap space.

Further, the dynamic bench duo of Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell will furnish the team with invaluable, quality minutes off the bench. Besides, with Lou Williams aggregating elite numbers in the fourth quarter and Harrell producing immense high energy plays down the stretch, they will be expected to feature in Doc Rivers‘ closing lineup. Sophomore guard and sharpshooter, Landry Shamet is yet another piece that could flawlessly fit alongside the team’s premier two-way wing pairing and could yield a starting role.

In contrast to filling out the team with supplemental big names, the front office capped off the off-season adding players who have embraced their limited roles for several years. Moreover, having built the roster with tough, scrappy, yet coachable players in accordance with the culture they’ve managed to construct recently, the team could flourish under the guidance of title winning coach in Doc Rivers.

Comprising considerable depth and quality, the Clippers have positioned themselves to vie for a championship presently and remain a dominant force for years to come. Should the organisation succeed in winning a title, it would be a suitable recompense for doing things the right way. It could indicate the conclusion of the dark, disappointing days as a Clipper fan under Donald Sterling’s governance, and instead a sign of bigger and better things to come.