The LA Clippers have been one of the best teams in the NBA. When Kawhi Leonard and Paul George joined the team, the Clippers immediately became a championship-contending team.

This season the Clippers have the opportunity to do something they have never done in the history of the franchise, and that’s winning a championship.

A team with talented players but no titles to show for it

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In 2009, the Clippers had the No. 1 draft pick, and they selected Blake Griffin. The Clippers were coming off a disappointing season where they finished 19-63. When the Clippers drafted Griffin, they were looking to turn their losing woes around and become a team that could compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Clippers were still trying to find their identity as a team, and during the 2009-10 season, the losing woes continued. Griffin missed the entire season due to injury, and his team missed his presence on the court. The next season, the Clippers showed improvement but still finished with a losing record. One bright spot was Griffin winning the Rookie of the Year.

The next season the Clippers made some changes to the roster, which helped turn the team around. Chris Paul joined the team, and he helped turn the Clippers into a playoff team. The Clippers finished the 2011-12 season with a 40-26 record and finished second in the Pacific Division. It was their first winning season in six years. The Clippers were led by Griffin and Paul, who were the team’s leading scorers. LA made it to the playoffs that season when they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Clippers made it to the playoffs six consecutive seasons, and during that time, they never reached the Western Conference Finals. Even with the trio of Paul, Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers could not go far in the playoffs. Since the 2011-12 season, the Clippers have not had a losing season. But this season can be the first time the Clippers advance to the conference finals.

The 2019-20 Clippers have dominated the league

The Clippers have a new identity with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Not to mention a well-experienced coach in Doc Rivers who has an NBA title. The Clippers made it known that they were trying to contend for a title this year. The team has one of the deepest lineups in the league. With Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams coming off the bench, they bring energy and add scoring from the second unit.

The Clippers also made some late-season additions, acquiring veterans Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, and Joakim Noah. With Leonard and George leading the way, the Clippers can compete for an NBA title this year. Leonard knows how to lead a team to the finals, just ask the Toronto Raptors. The Clippers will most likely go into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, and they will put up a fight every game.

Can this Clippers team win the NBA Finals?

This year’s team definitely has the talent to win the championship. The Clippers came into the season as one of the favorites to win the title. The road to the finals will not be easy for the Clippers. If the playoffs started today, the Clippers would take on a talented Dallas Mavericks team led by Luka Doncic.

Look for Leonard and George to step up in a big way during the playoffs. The team’s success will heavily depend on the performance of those two players. Also, the reserves will need to play well too. One player that can be an X-factor is Patrick Beverly. Beverly brings that energy to the team, and he always plays at a high-level. It’s going to be interesting to see who will come out of the Western Conference this year. The Clippers have proved that they are one of the favorites to make it to the finals.