Kris Dunn might already be better than Patrick Beverley ever was

The LA Clippers took care of business on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers in what many considered to be a trap game. Philly came into the game with the second-worst record in the association. Joel Embiid and Paul George were both set to miss the matchup, but it almost seemed like too perfect of conditions for the Clippers.

After all, LA turns right around after the Sixers game and heads to Boston for a Monday evening matchup with the Celtics. Some fans thought the Clippers could be at risk of looking too far ahead and dropping this very winnable game in Philadelphia, but they dashed those worries quickly. The Clippers went down 2-0 but re-took the lead immediately after and never trailed the rest of the way, winning 125-99.

It was the latest impressive performance in a string of impressive showings from LA. The Clippers have been playing inspired basketball, taking care of business at both ends of the court and putting themselves in increasingly good position for when Kawhi Leonard eventually comes back. It would have been unthinkable to say during preseason, but the Clippers are looking like a dark horse in the Western Conference.

One of the main catalysts of the Clippers' success has been Kris Dunn. An underrated addition this past offseason, Dunn has been a complete game-changer at the defensive end with his stifling stopping power. Opposing offenses have been crumbling under the weight of his lockdown defense, and the 76ers were the latest victim.

Dunn is one of the Clippers' best defenders in recent memory

On Sunday, Dunn made four of his five shot attempts and finished with nine points and two steals. But the numbers just begin to tell the story. Those who were watching the game saw a defender absolutely locked in and wreaking all sorts of havoc on Philadelphia's offensive process, and an offensive player smart enough to make the right play nearly every time.

The thing is, Clippers fans know this is nothing new. All throughout the season, Dunn has been jumping passing lanes, snagging loose balls and figuratively shutting off the water supply of his opponents. He is positively staggering in one-on-one guarding situations, and he is perhaps the highest-IQ team defender on the roster as well.

These kinds of descriptive words probably remind longer-tenured Clippers fans of Patrick Beverley. But with all due respect to a beloved former Clipper, it is entirely possible Dunn is already reaching levels that Beverley did not. Pat Bev was always reliable, but he rarely took over games the way Kris is doing. In the fourth quarter of LA's win over the Sixers, the Clippers' broadcast crew made sure to give Dunn his respect.

"You just can't sing his praises enough," the crew said. "He just brings a real mindset here for the Clippers and a lot of intangibles." Dunn's fingerprints were simply all over this game, and if there was any question about it beforehand, it feels safe to say he has solidified his place as this team's best defender, and one of its most invaluable contributors overall.