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Since Paul George’s Return, the LA Clippers are figuring it out

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Paul George #13 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers warm up before the start of the basket ball game between Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Paul George #13 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers warm up before the start of the basket ball game between Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Since Paul George has returned to the court for the LA Clippers, the team has started to look how fans expected them to this summer.

November 14, 2019. That was the date Paul George made his debut for the LA Clippers. In that debut, the Clippers lost despite a great effort from PG. Since then, the Clippers look like they have begun to figure it out, going 5-0.

It is no secret that the Clippers had massive expectations this summer. The team added two superstars in George and Kawhi Leonard and were picked as a championship favorite. A 7-4 start had some fans questioning the team, especially with Leonard missing time due to both load management and a new knee injury.

Over the six games that George has played, the Clippers have started to really look like that championship contender we all thought they could be. The results for those six games:

The first thing that jumps out is just how different the results of each game are. You have a massive offensive showing in a blowout versus the Hawks, followed by a completely defensive game versus the Thunder. You then have two close games followed by another blowout. Consistency just isn’t quite there.

What is there though, is the result. Somehow, the Clippers have found ways to win in their last five games. The stats back it up, too.

Since November 14, the Clippers have the fourth best record in the league. Over that span, they are averaging the third most points with 121.7, although that 150 point barrage against the Hawks has to skew the data some.

Defensively, the Clips have held teams to just 42.3% shooting in that span, good enough for fifth in the league. Their defensive rating is 104.3 in that span and shockingly enough, the team has averaged 6.8 blocks per game, third in that span.

No, the team isn’t quite “elite” just yet, but there have been flashes. Some guys haven’t been who we know they are capable of yet (JaMychal Green, Landry Shamet). Montrezl Harrell may (hopefully not) come back down to earth a little after an amazing start to the season. Paul George, for example, hasn’t been a complete defensive stalwart, likely due to conditioning.

Another negative during this timespan has been the number of turnovers. Over the last six, the Clips have turned the ball over 17.3 times per game. This is the fourth worst mark in the league and honestly, it has felt worse when watching the games.

Next. Clutch Clips: Reviewing the last three comebacks. dark

There are flashes of brilliance, especially when the game is on the line, but the final product isn’t there just yet. Thankfully, it is just November. The team isn’t fully healthy yet and should have more than enough time to get everything ironed out. Paul George’s return marked the start of everything coming together. It’s only a matter of time before that fully materializes.

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