LA Clippers: Gary Payton picks Clips as champions if season resumes
In an appearance on All the Smoke, former All-Star Gary Payton said he would pick the LA Clippers to win it all if the season resumes.
There is still no timetable for when the NBA reason will resume. Thankfully, that hasn’t stopped people from talking about the league coming back and who might be the champion. On All the Smoke, a podcast hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, former All-Star Gary Payton picked the LA Clippers as the champions if the league does come back.
His pick for the NBA Finals was the Clippers facing the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks. Why does he love the Clippers over the Bucks? Defense.
"“I think Kawhi and Paul, they are just too tough for me, and I think Patrick Beverley is the one who is going to lockdown the superstar.”"
Payton talks about how the Clippers not only have defense but also too much power coming off the bench. He notes that Patrick Beverley might be the key and could see him being the one to lock up opposing superstars.
That’s a pretty high level of praise to be coming from The Glove but it makes sense given his play compared to that of Beverley. Both are hard-nosed, defensive-minded point guards who won’t back down from any challenge. We saw that as the case on Christmas Day when Beverley locked up LeBron James on the final possession of the game, sealing the Clippers victory.
It’s not a small thing to have former players believe in this team. They have been out there and understand what it takes to win. Payton was an NBA champion, albeit as a member of the Miami Heat in the twilight of his career. Still, he understands what kind of defense is needed to pull out a victory.
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Many around the league do think the season will resume in some capacity once it is deemed safe. If it does, the Clippers have just as good of a chance to win as anyone. Hopefully, we get to see them prove their talent on the court very soon.