Los Angeles Clippers: 5 Reasons This Is Their Year

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
Nov 5, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward David Lee (10) shoots the ball as LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

1. A Stifling Defense

The Los Angeles Clippers have everything you’d expect out of a championship contender: Resume-building wins, dominant blowouts, three proven stars, an improved bench, you name it.

But unlike years past, when their solid but not elite defense went under the radar, the Clippers have made their stifling defense the foundation of their 2016-17 campaign.

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Again, 11 games is a small sample size, but the Clippers currently lead the league in Defensive Rating, holding opponents to a smothering 93.0 points per 100 possessions.

They’re holding opponents to a league-best 40.9 percent shooting from the floor, they’re leading the league in steals (10.4 per game) and they’re turning those steals into a league-best 20.5 points per game off of turnovers and 17.8 fast break points per game (third highest in the association).

Like the Clippers’ overall championship merit over the last few years, Lob City’s quality defense is not entirely new. After all, they ranked sixth in Defensive Rating last year.

However, much like the rest of the Clippers’ early season success, this feels different and sustainable. This team has always been counted out, and they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder while formulating the league’s best defense.

Next: 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Week 4

If all of those things continue, the Clippers will make their first conference finals, they could be a legitimate threat to unseat the Warriors or Spurs in the West, and they very well could be the favorites to win the 2016-17 NBA championship.