The Clippers Didn't Get Tired, They Simply Expected to Win
Image: © 2020 Miss Ari Photography
There is no way around it - the Los Angeles Clippers choked in last night’s pivotal game seven loss against the Denver Nuggets.
The Clippers, early season favorites for an NBA Championship - looked more like a junior varsity team on many occasions during Tuesday night’s 104-89 loss.
Over the weekend, Paul George told ESPN that he liked the Clippers’ chances and that he believed they were still in the driver’s seat entering game seven. During the series finale, it appeared George and most of his teammates were actually packed into the backseat, as Denver aggressively drove them straight out of the NBA Bubble.
While it’s all too easy to blame the coach, the Clippers’ demise in the playoffs can’t totally be Doc Rivers’ fault. Before the masses begin to call for his replacement, we must take a look at his millionaire superstars, who simply didn’t show up during crucial moments of a game that they were “supposed” to win.
Kawhi Leonard left Toronto after one season and a championship, because he wanted to return home. For most of the season, he carried the Clippers. He has been the team’s leading scorer throughout the playoffs. In recruiting Paul George from Oklahoma City last off season, Leonard expected to have a superstar alongside him that would lead them to a title.
Last night, Leonard appeared to finally be tired of carrying the load. Shots he usually makes with ease, bounced helplessly off the rim. He didn’t drive to the basket like he normally does, and finished the game with only 14 points and not a single free-throw attempt. Either Leonard was tired or resentful that no one else was stepping up. Unfortunately for the Clippers and their fans - George wasn’t ready for the weight to be shifted. He only added 10 points after going 4 of 16 from the field.
Throughout the first and second rounds, the Clippers benefited from the energetic play of this year’s Sixth Man Montrezl Harrell, the aggression (often dirty play) of Marcus Morris Sr, and even the reemergence of one Patrick Beverley. But none of those men are the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, whose coattails respectively the Clippers were supposed to ride all the way to a title.
Of course injuries plagued the Clippers throughout the year, but these professional athletes had plenty of time to gel and develop an undeniable team chemistry. Both George and former Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams were far off base in suggesting to reporters that team chemistry (or a lack thereof) is to be blamed for their playoff exit.
Maybe Leonard did get tired. The Clippers, however, did not get tired. They expected to win. They became complacent at the absolute worst time, because they just expected the Los Angeles Clippers to defeat the Denver Nuggets, as initially scripted.
Denver is a great team, with a blatant on-court display of humility and teamwork. This was a paramount upset, but the story for ages will be when the Denver Nuggets beat the other Los Angeles team in six games.
