Losing 21 points to the Jazz and 19 points to the Warriors, the Clippers performed poorly at the start of the game. Do they still have the strength to compete for the championship?

The new NBA season has just started for more than a week, and the overall pattern of the Western Conference is different from what the major American media predicted during the offseason. First of all, as the defending champion, the Thunder still maintained a strong momentum despite the lack of Jerwei. Alexander averaged 34.8 points per game as a guarantee and led the team to five consecutive victories; the Spurs also did not lose under the leadership of Bunyama, averaging 31 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.8 blocks per game, the third in his career. The sudden outbreak of the season seems to have no trace. In fact, Popovich's protection of Wenbanyama in the first two seasons, as well as his own growth after Wenbanyama was injured last season, and the realization of the Spurs' overall talent, they can already produce results, and this does not count the second boss Fox who is recovering from injury.

The Warriors are also quite surprised. They started with 4 wins and 1 loss, losing only to the Trail Blazers. However, they maintained a complete victory against competitors such as the Clippers, Lakers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies! Kuminga has gone from being a rebellious boy a month ago to being the cornerstone of the forward line that everyone praises. He passes more passes and becomes more active in defense. After reducing the number of strong shots, he gets more effective opportunities. If other teams don't give the Warriors three first-rounders with this kind of performance, the Warriors will definitely not sell! But the most disappointing thing is the Clippers, who had high hopes in the offseason. In the first four games of the new season, 2 wins and 2 losses, the record can only be said to be okay, but it cannot stand analysis at all. From the personnel arrangement of the coaching staff to the performance of the players, it is really a mess! There is only one Harden left struggling to support, is it enough?

Let’s start with the four games of the Clippers. Facing the Jazz in the opening game, the Clippers were upset by 21 points and trailed the Jazz by 37 points during the game. The Clippers collapsed in the first quarter of that game, and the entire team was a little negative. After that, although they won consecutive games against the Suns and Trail Blazers, the Clippers were helplessly defeated by 19 points when facing the Warriors. After one game, the Clippers only scored 79 points! Coach Tyronn Lue couldn't sit still for a while and said that Harden took the initiative to leave the game in the first half, which broke the team's rhythm. His reason was that he consumed too much in the first half. He also said that the team needs Bill, who can hold the ball and create offense. The most important thing is that Tyronn Lue put the blame for the loss on the players, believing that after the missed shot at the beginning, everyone lost trust and there were many shots after a pass.

What level has the Clippers performed in this week or so? Harden and Kawhi both averaged 21.3 points per game, Zubac averaged 15.5 points per game, and Collins averaged 11.3 points per game. These four scored in double figures. Harden is the team's scoring leader + assist leader + free throw leader. In the win over the Suns, including leading the team to overtake the Warriors at halftime, he can be said to be the most normal performer in the Clippers team. What about everyone else? Looking at the data directly: When Leonard is on the court, the Clippers lose 15.9 points to their opponents per 100 possessions; when he is not on the court, the Clippers win by 26.9 points per 100 possessions; so Kawhi's On-Off value is -42.8! Zubac's On-Off value is -12.2, Derrick Jones is -14.8, Paul is -19.4, Beal is -2.9, and Dunn is -3.6. What about Harden? The team that is present wins by 3.5 points per 100 possessions, while the team that is not present loses by 12.9 points per 100 possessions.

His On-Off value is +16.4. In the offseason, Bill + Paul + Collins + Luo were strengthened, so that Tyronn Lue could no longer play. The Clippers were left with superstar singles this season. After Harden left the game, Paul was older and did not have the ability to tear up the opponent's defense. As a result, Kawhi, who no longer has the ability to break through, could not even catch the ball. Of course, there is a possibility that Kawhi is hiding his strength and waiting for the playoffs to explode. In the first four games of the regular season, he mostly caught the ball and shot. Being superstitious about Paul is not fatal, but with the backcourt combination of Dunn and Paul, the Clippers lost 37.8 points to their opponents in 100 rounds! To be precise, if Paul partners with Collins + Lopez + Leonard + Batum + Jones, the Clippers will lose points, losing to their opponents by an average of 21 points! All data can be found in "BR".

The key is that with Collins, Tyronn Lue also asked Kawhi to play the fourth position. Kawhi has a big problem in protecting the frame on the defensive end. He avoids confrontation, and often requires Harden to squat under the basket. Coupled with the fact that Bill suffered a lower back injury after playing two sluggish games, the Clippers have a "offseason championship" lineup configuration, leaving only Harden. It can be understood that Tyronn Lue took the initiative to try and make mistakes like Harden did when he came to the team, but has he ever thought about the results? Kawhi doesn't play like the boss of the team, and the role players can't use their hands and feet. Paul did well in the preseason, but there is no lower limit in the regular season, and Harden is already starting to cry tired! Kawhi was out for so long last season. Did Harden say he was tired? There is no greater sadness than heartbreak. Harden may have realized that it would be worse than last season.

A good hand but a poor hand! To be honest, Tyronn Lue's coaching level may not be as good as assistant coach Brian Shaw. During the Clippers' trial and error process, once Harden was injured, the entire team collapsed, with no fundamental support at all. Kawhi's glass physique, Paul's useless defense, and the Clippers still didn't have a point to hold the ball. But how much time do the Clippers have? Next summer, the second year of Harden's 1+1 contract is partially guaranteed. Bogdan + Da Luo + Batum + Dunn are all team options, and Collins' contract also expires! The so-called favorite to win the championship, Leonard's playoff ceiling is illusory, but Harden is in trouble. If we play like this, the Clippers are indeed about to be rebuilt.