The LA Clippers are in the best position to win the NBA finals. With one of the best head coaches in the NBA and one of the best rosters, the LA Clippers seem to be flawless. Assuming the Clippers re-sign their free agents, they may have the perfect all-around squad. The Clippers are also led by one of the best head coaches in the NBA, Tyronn Lue.
Although the LA Clippers missed the play-in tournament in the 2021-22 NBA season, franchise star Kawhi Leonard missed the entire season due to an ACL injury. Leonard’s superstar teammate, Paul George, missed a combined 51 games throughout the season. Even though the superstar duo hardly played, the Clippers managed to finish at the 8th seed.
With Leonard and George returning to full health, the Clippers will be a tough team to beat. The Clippers also added Norman Powell and Robert Covington at the trade deadline, giving them more firepower on both ends of the floor. The last season the Clippers were at full health was 2020-21, in which, they made their first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance.
Throughout the NBA, there are only a few teams that can compete with the LA Clippers. There is only one factor holding them back and that is health. With hopes of a fully healthy roster throughout the season, the Clippers may be unstoppable. Continue reading to find out more about which teams can challenge the LA Clippers most next season!
Boston Celtics
After making an NBA finals appearance for the first time in 12 years, the Boston Celtics proved to the world how talented they truly are. The Celtics have a well-built roster as well as a great coaching staff and front office. The Celtics stand out due to their ability to compete on both ends of the floor. Led by head coach Ime Udoka, the Celtics made a deep playoff run in his first year.
The Boston Celtics match up very well with the LA Clippers. Although Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown may be some of the league’s best players, the Celtics have numerous other players who can contribute in numerous ways. Players like Al Horford, Robert Williams, Derrick White, and Marcus Smart, make a tremendous impact on both ends of the floor.
The Boston Celtics are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. The Celtics finished the 2021-22 NBA season with a defensive rating of 106.9 as they ranked 1st in the least amount of points allowed at 104.5. The Celtics were also ranked number 12th in points forced at 111.8. It is no surprise that the Celtics made an NBA finals appearance.
What separates the Boston Celtics from the LA Clippers is roster depth and experience. The Clippers have Kawhi Leonard who has won two championships, as well as guys like Paul George, Nicolas Batum, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, and Norman Powell who are established NBA veterans. Tyronn Lue has been a head coach for 5 seasons and has won a championship in 2015-16 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Depth-wise, the LA Clippers check off each box. In their most recent season played, the LA Clippers had five players who averaged over 15 points per game, nine players who shot over 35% from the three-point line, and were loaded with wings as they had 7 rotational pieces(at least 15 min per game). On the other hand, the Boston Celtics have two players who averaged over 15 points per game, four players who shot over 35% from the three-point line, and are weaker at the wing position with only two rotational pieces(at least 15 min per game).
Although the Boston Celtics are a little bit stronger at the center position with Horford and Williams, the LA Clippers are not far off with Zubac and Hartenstein. The Clippers are stronger at the point guard position as they also have bigs such as Batum and Covington who can guard any position.
Overall, there is certainly a big gap between the roster depth as well as the level of experience between the LA Clippers and the Boston Celtics. Although the Celtics may pose a threat, the Clippers should have no problem winning a seven-game playoff series.
Golden State Warriors
As one of the greatest dynasties the NBA has ever seen, the Golden State Warriors have had numerous accomplishments in recent years. With four NBA titles in the last eight seasons, the Warriors have made a very strong name for themselves.
The Golden State Warriors have all-time greats in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, as well as a rising star in Jordan Poole. Even players like Andrew Wiggins made a tremendous impact throughout the season. The Warriors have one of the best rosters in the NBA as they are led by one of the best head coaches in Steve Kerr.
Throughout the 2021-22 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors ranked 3rd best in points allowed at 105.5. Where they truly struggled was on the offensive end. The Warriors finished 15th in points forced at 111.0 as they had an offensive rating of 112.5. The Warriors also shot 46.9% from the field as a team which was not too far ahead of the Clippers who shot 45.8% from the field. The Clippers also had a better three-point percentage despite missing Leonard all season, and George who missed 51 games.
Just a season ago, the LA Clippers finished 10th in points forced, 4th best in points allowed, 5th in FG%, and had the best three-point shooting season of all time. After adding guys like Powell, Covington, and Hartenstein, the Clippers are only improving. At full health, the LA Clippers have proven to be one of the best overall teams based on statistics.
As both teams may be similar on the defensive end, there is a gap between the Clippers and the Warriors on the offensive end. The LA Clippers are also much better at the center position with Zubac and Hartenstein. Although the Warriors may be a tough match-up, the Clippers should be able to win a seven-game playoff series.
Milwaukee Bucks
After winning their 2nd championship as a franchise, the Milwaukee Bucks showed everyone what they were made of. Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had one of the greatest postseasons the NBA has ever seen. The Bucks are also led by Mike Budenholzer who is a very experienced head coach.
Although the Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the best offensive teams the last few years, they struggled a bit on the defensive end last season. The Bucks not only finished 19th in points allowed, but they ranked 27th in blocks per game as well as 13th in steals per game. The Bucks also allowed a 45.6 FG% against opposing teams as well as a 35.6 3P%. Additionally, the Bucks finished the 2021-22 NBA season with a 111.8 defensive rating.
Last season, the LA Clippers did a solid job on the defensive end. The Clippers finished 11th in points allowed, 15th in steals per game, as well as 8th in blocks per game as they allowed a 45.0 FG% against opposing teams and 34.5 3P%. The Clippers also finished the 2021-22 NBA season with a 110.1 defensive rating.
All things considered, the LA Clippers had an above-average defensive season as they were without Leonard all year and George who missed 51 games. Even guys like Batum missed 23 games and Powell only played a total of 5 games since being dealt at the trade deadline. As the Clippers will enter next season with a fully healthy roster, these defensive statistics will likely improve.
There is a gap between the LA Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks on the defensive end. A fully healthy Clippers may be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. If a seven-game series were to occur, the LA Clippers should have no problem in beating the Bucks.