USA Today via Reuters
Sep 7, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of game three of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 7, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of game three of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The LA Clippers have never stepped foot in the Western Conference Finals in franchise history. This year, the team could have finally broken the curse, but they collapsed. The Clippers blew a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets.
The superstars of the team, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George choked during the final stretch of game 7. The so-called dynamic duo didn’t score a single point in the fourth quarter. To make things worse, they combined for a total of just 24 points! As a result, the Denver Nuggets breezed past them and became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the same playoff run.
NBA analyst Skip Bayless, who has always rooted for the LA Clippers, made some harsh remarks on the performance. He said, “In all my time, I’ve never seen a team collapse the way the Clippers did…The Denver Nuggets snatched their heart and soul. For 3 straight 4th quarters, they turned into nothing but choking dogs. The sorry, laughing stock, belong in the basement Clippers.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
"In all my time, I've never seen a team collapse the way the Clippers did…The Denver Nuggets snatched their heart and soul. For 3 straight 4th quarters, they turned into nothing but choking dogs. The sorry, laughing stock, belong in the basement Clippers."@RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/nlBhggDiZc
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) September 16, 2020
The Clippers’ inability to close out games was brought into a bright light following this Game 7 loss. Both Kawhi and George could enter free agency once again in 2021, and this could spell the end for the Clippers dynasty.
Even worse is the fact that the franchise traded most of its first-round picks to acquire Paul George from OKC. If Leonard and George do leave the team, the Clippers could be stuck at the bottom of the barrel for the foreseeable future.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
LA Clippers: The playoffs choke artists?
USA Today via Reuters
The Los Angeles Clippers sit on the sidelines during the second half in game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
This is not the first time the LA Clippers have choked in the playoffs. With this defeat, the drought has continued for the Clippers. The franchise has been in the league since 1970 but is yet to make a WCF appearance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This Clippers roster was probably their best shot at ending the drought since the ‘Lob City’ era. Kawhi Leonard had just won his second ring the previous year with the Raptors, and PG13 was in the MVP race as well last year. Moreover, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell are both sixth-man of the year candidates. All things considered, if the Clippers wish to win a championship soon, this is the right window.
Will the Clippers continue disappearing in the playoffs, or will they finally turn things around next season?
