Los Angeles Clippers: How a team with no All-Stars is tied for 1st in the West

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers speaks to the team during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers speaks to the team during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

 The Los Angeles Clippers sit at 12-6 and are currently in a three-way tie for first in the Western Conference. While the NBA has had some fairly strange trends this year, the Clippers are one of the most complete teams in the league and there are multiple aspects that have defined their success.

From DeAndre Jordan shooting 80.3 percent from the free throw line to the Golden State Warriors losing four consecutive games for the first time in the Steve Kerr era, the NBA has been riddled with perplexities.

As of right now, the Los Angeles Clippers are tied with the Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies for first in a generally tough Western Conference. While it’s definitely a long season and a lot of teams are starting to turn things around, the Clippers have been one of the biggest surprises early on as they’ve climbed the top of the ladder without a single All-Star.

The answer to their success, however, is not so simple. For the first time in a while, the Clippers are playing winning basketball as a complete unit with great coaching and a multitude of skilled pieces across the board.

While it may be a little too early to predict a playoff appearance, expect play like this to continue if everyone is healthy. Here is how a team with no All-Stars has been able to best some of the most elite teams in the league this season.