Prior to the start of the series, the LA Clippers were the clear underdogs, and it wasn’t close. Nearly every expert, TV analyst, and NBA insider picked Phoenix solely because LA would be without Paul George, a two-way superstar. However, these critics didn’t account for how deep the Clippers can be in a seven-game series.
Furthermore, not only did Kawhi Leonard dominate, but the Clippers’ role players contributed in various ways, ultimately leading to the crucial game-one victory. In addition, the coaching staff made the correct decisions throughout the game regarding which players deserve a DNP.
3. LA Clippers star, Kawhi Leonard, is the best playoff performer in the world.
With a ridiculous amount of pressure on his shoulders, LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard responded how fans expected he would in game one against the Phoenix Suns. On both ends of the floor, Leonard handled business, essentially carrying the Clippers to the win.
On top of posting 38 points, Leonard dropped five rebounds and five assists on 13-of-24 shooting. He was also on the defensive end guarding Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, making scoring extremely difficult in the paint and around the perimeter.
One statistic that may go overlooked is the number of minutes Leonard played. With George out for the foreseeable future, Leonard was on the court for 42 minutes. This is an excellent sign as it shows where Leonard’s health and stability are at. Though, 40+ minutes on a nightly basis is a demanding load to handle. If the Clippers are looking to win it all, multiple players will have to step up on the offensive end of the floor.
2. For the time being, Russell Westbrook is the Clippers’ second option
Following the signing of Russell Westbrook, many assumed that his playstyle would damage the LA Clippers in the postseason. While this may be a fair assumption, head coach Tyronn Lue is utilizing his strengths and hiding his weaknesses.
Furthermore, some of his biggest strengths are rebounding and making plays for his teammates. In game one against the Phoenix Suns, Westbrook did just that. In fact, five of his 11 rebounds came on the offensive end. What’s even crazier, the entire Suns’ team only had six offensive boards.
Although Westbrook’s shooting may be considered a weakness, he finished the regular season shooting 35.6% from deep in a Clipper uniform. This ultimately means that opponents must respect his jump shot, or he will make them pay in the long run. Not to mention Westbrook attempts nearly four three-pointers per night.
Moreover, Westbrook also made numerous plays on the defensive end which coerced the Clippers into a position to win the ball game. He defended Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on countless possessions and had the game-winning block down the stretch.
However, despite his contributions, Westbrook shot 3/19 from the field. While this may seem problematic, fans should note that he missed countless shots he usually makes. Had Westbrook scored his regular season average of nearly 16 points, the LA Clippers would have run away with the victory.
With Paul George out indefinitely, Westbrook is the second option next to Kawhi Leonard. This applies to both ends of the floor, as the former league MVP hustled on defense and the glass.
1. The Suns don’t have the depth to keep up with the LA Clippers.
While the LA Clippers may be without Paul George, they are arguably the deepest team in the NBA. The Clippers have everything from high-end scorers in Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, and Norman Powell to defensive specialists in Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, and Nicolas Batum. This gives them the edge over a team like the Phoenix Suns.
For instance, during game one, the LA Clippers had nine players contribute in over ten minutes of action. This does not include two elite role players, Marcus Morris Sr., and Robert Covington, who ended the game as DNP. In the end, that is 11 quality players who would have a significant role on almost any team in the league.
Conversely, the Phoenix Suns are the complete opposite. Although four of their five starters scored over 20 points, no one else on the team eclipsed ten. Not to mention their bench scored a total of ten points, while the Clippers’ bench posted 34.
The Clippers have a major advantage over the Suns, as their starters will have less pressure to score the ball. The bench statistics would have significantly increased if Covington had left his contributions on the court.
Another factor fans should take note of is the number of minutes the Suns’ starters have to play. In the series’ first game, Kevin Durant played 45 minutes, and Devin Booker played 43 minutes. If the Clippers can put up a fight, these types of minutes are not sustainable for their star players, especially Durant and the stage he is at in his career.
Additionally, Chris Paul played 39 minutes. As he turns 38 in approximately three weeks, the Suns cannot consistently rely on him to contribute night in and night out.