LA Clippers top all major power rankings except for one

Every Monday, various outlets release their weekly NBA power rankings. I begrudgingly check, knowing that I’ll probably get upset in one way or another about someone’s opinion of the LA Clippers and whether they are ranked too high or low.

This week, after the Clippers had continued to dominate, I was hopeful that they might finally be justly ranked. I was almost correct.

The LA Clippers ranked number one on all major power rankings except for one notable site.

Before I list them out, can you guess which one? Okay, answers are locked in. Let’s look at the sites:

• The Athletic: #1 (subscription required)
• CBS Sports: #1
• NBA.com: #1
• The Ringer: #1
• Bleacher Report: #1
• Hoops Habit: #1
• ESPN: #4

I have to assume you guessed correctly.

ESPN doesn’t really give any justification as to why the Clippers rank behind the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. Their breakdown does mention that Ty Lue will have to get the team to be cohesive once everyone returns from injury but if that’s what is knocking them, why isn’t Brooklyn lower with the news that James Harden is out until the playoffs?

Power rankings are subjective and their site can and will have opinions but when your opinion differs so much from every other outlet, perhaps there needs to be some self-reflection.

Regardless, seeing the LA Clippers top every other site is definitely a good feeling. The team has been firing on cylinders from every single spot on the roster. Paul George has been terrific and has kept the ship steady while Kawhi Leonard heals. The team has been especially good since the All-Star Break. From NBA.com:

"The Clippers have the league’s best record (19-5) since the All-Star break, with their defense having seen the fifth biggest drop in points allowed per 100 possessions (111.5 before the break, 109.0 since)."

The Clippers do face two of the top teams in the West this week — the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets — and can secure themselves a playoff spot with a win on Monday versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

While the LA Clippers have been generally flying under the radar this season, it seems most places are becoming aware of just how talented this team is. It’s about time.