Though they have made significant progress, the LA Clippers are still figuring out who they are and how best to produce winning basketball. Before the trade for James Harden, they boasted one of the most efficient five-man lineups in basketball.
While they still have the pure offensive talent to put up a lot of points, Head Coach Tyronn Lue is refining the Clippers' process. But while he does that, it is clear they remain capable defensively as well.
LA has some of the best advantage creators in the NBA when it comes to taking the ball away from their opponents. In fact, they currently have three players that rank in the top ten in the league for steals per game.
The players in the Top 10 in steals
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) November 21, 2023
Notice which team shows up three times? pic.twitter.com/LACA6ENUAC
The Clippers have some of the quickest hands in the NBA
Heading into Wednesday night's matchup with San Antonio, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook were all averaging at least 1.8 steals per game. Statistically, this gives LA three of the best eight players in the league when it comes to racking up steals.
This is an extremely valuable attribute for a team trying to contend for a championship. Defensive skills always stand out more in the playoffs than in the regular season. When the calendar hits April and the game slows down, the Clippers will have multiple guys capable of bringing opposing offenses to a screeching halt.
Leonard and George have always been known as strong defensive players. But the more the rest of the Clippers' roster rounds into form on that end as well, the more dangerous they will be as a whole.