How big of a threat are the Clippers in the West?

The Los Angeles Clippers have quietly emerged as one of the best teams in the NBA, yet they haven't received enough recognition for retooling their roster. Despite losing All-Star caliber player Paul George, they have gained resurgent performances from Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, both of whom are playing the best basketball of their careers. Most of the credit should go to James Harden, who has experienced an impressive resurgence and has proven many doubters wrong in the process. The Clippers are currently playing their best basketball at a crucial time, but the real question is: Will this level of performance translate into success in the playoffs?

Following their victory against the second-seeded Rockets, the Clippers have now won six consecutive games, propelling them from the play-in tournament to the fifth seed in the Western Conference. James Harden was the standout offensive player, scoring 35 points. However, the most impressive all-around performance came from Zubac, who achieved his first career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.

For the Clippers to have a successful playoff run, Kawhi Leonard must be their top player, but the most crucial player will be James Harden. Harden’s ability to score at a high level and his playmaking skills make the game easier for his teammates. At 35 years old, he is arguably playing the best basketball of his career since his time with the Houston Rockets. This season, he has played in more games than he has since the 2018-2019 season, leading the Clippers in both scoring (22.6 points per game) and assists (8.7). His standout performance this season came in a win against the talented young Detroit Pistons team, where he recorded his 24th career 50-point game.

Possibly, the biggest difference maker for the Clippers in this potential playoff run is their health. In previous seasons, injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George prevented the Leonard-George-era Clippers from reaching their full potential. With their roster fully intact, the Clippers have a great opportunity in front of them. Their playoff positioning could also play a role, as the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies are a favorable first-round matchup for them.

With all the talent on their roster, the pressure will be on their two best players to perform at their highest level during this playoff run. While Leonard has historically been a strong playoff performer, his frequent injuries have hindered his team's success. On the other hand, Harden has faced criticism for not delivering in crucial playoff moments, a narrative that has followed him since his time with the Houston Rockets. If both players perform at their best, the Clippers have a strong chance of making a deep playoff run. That said, I would still rank them below the Thunder, Lakers, and Warriors as the teams most likely to emerge from the West.