With the LA Clippers bringing together what is essentially a brand new team this coming season, there are obviously a lot of questions. Many are wondering who will replace the lost production and leadership from Paul George and Russell Westbrook specifically.
After going through a period that spanned half a decade where the Clippers were basing their team around the same two core guys in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, it makes sense for there to now be a lot of doubters with one of those guys now out of the equation. But as Norman Powell explained at media day, this situation could really end up being an advantage to LA rather than a drawback.
Understandably, many outsiders do not see things this way. The Western Conference is absolutely loaded with talented teams and the Clippers still have their work cut out for them. It is not going to be easy for them, regardless of the season outcome. You can count Rob Mahoney, basketball writer for The Ringer, as one of those who has serious doubts about the Clippers right now.
Appearing on Bill Simmons' popular NBA podcast this week, Rob voiced his opinion that the Houston Rockets will be a better team than the Clippers this season. This is certainly a hot take, and one that requires some unpacking.
"Rockets are gonna be a better team than the Clippers..."
— Chris Gorman (@GormanChristoph) October 2, 2024
-Rob Mahoney[@RobMahoney] via Bill Simmons Podcast
Agree? I do🎯🎯🎯#Rockets pic.twitter.com/tMuHa8gccl
Rob Mahoney believes the Rockets will be better than the Clippers
We have to first look at the state of the Rockets over the last half decade. This is a team that has missed the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, and is without a postseason berth to their name since James Harden was still suiting up for them. Granted, they have increased their win total each season during that stretch, but there is still plenty of reason to question Mahoney's statement.
The Rockets are a team lacking a clear-cut star. They have a lot of nice supporting pieces, but that has not translated into consistent winning to this point. Meanwhile the Clippers still employ Kawhi Leonard, who remains one of the five best players in the world when fully healthy. Yes, there is no more Paul George, but the Clippers' bench is also significantly stronger than Houston's.
After bringing in Kevin Porter Jr. this offseason, along with Mo Bamba, Nic Batum, Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr., LA has built one of the deeper supporting casts in the Western Conference around Kawhi and James Harden. This is a team that has far more players accustomed to winning than those of the Rockets. Injuries can change anything, but that is just about the only thing that would convince me Houston could be better than the Clippers in 2024-25.