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Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Reasons This Is Their Year

By Gerald Bourguet

October 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during a stoppage in play against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during a stoppage in play against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers
October 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) shoots a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Clippers Pass Every Test

The Clippers have been a championship-caliber team the last few years, but this red-hot start feels different. Maybe it’s because the Clips are an NBA-best 10-1. Maybe it’s because everyone knows this could be the last hurrah for CP3, Blake and DeAndre Jordan. Or maybe it’s because they’re routinely blowing out teams by 30+ points.

No championship has ever been won in November, but whatever the case may be, Lob City passes every litmus test for a championship-caliber team.

We’ll get to L.A.’s stifling defense in a bit, but aside from their NBA-best record, the Clippers rank first in point differential (+16.6), fifth in Offensive Rating (109.1 points per 100 possessions), first in Net Rating (+16.1) and first in free throw attempts (28.8 per game).

They’re the only team to rank in the top five for both Offensive and Defensive Rating, and though 11 games does not make a full season, they’ve already convincingly handled the Jazz, Spurs, Grizzlies, Pistons, Trail Blazers (twice) and Thunder.

They’ve led by 40+ points in three of their last five games, they avenged their only loss of the season to OKC and their starting unit, which ranks second in field goal percentage and three-point percentage among all starting fives, boasts a monstrous Net Rating of +27.3. The next closest? The Warriors, at +9.7.

Again, 11 games does not make a season. At this point last year, the Dubs looked just as unbeatable, and they went on to suffer the most historic Finals defeat in NBA history. But based on everything we’ve seen thus far, the Clippers are a more legitimate title contender than they’ve ever been.

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