Due to their defensive revolution, the Los Angeles Clippers are 3-4 despite their less than ideal circumstances. Clippers lead assistant Jeff Van Gundy, who rose to fame while coaching the New York Knicks in the 1990s, has been essential to Los Angeles ranking in the top-10 in opponent’s points per game (109.1) and defensive rating (110.1). However, while their defense has been elite their offense has been mediocre.
This isn’t due to scheme, especially with Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue considered one of the best with Xs and Os. The main reason that the Clippers rank in the bottom-10 in points per game (109.0) and offensive rating (110.0) is that they’re missing All-Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
That being said, with the way 10-year NBA veteran Norman Powell has played, there’s reason to believe that the Clippers will have a strong year.
Clippers Defensive Ace Is Making Paul George Forgettable
Powell has always been more of a two-way player than defensive specialist. However, he’s been overshadowed by players with more star power.
When he was with the Toronto Raptors, it was DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. When he was with the Portland Trail Blazers, it was Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. With the Clippers, it’s been Leonard, George, and James Harden, the most talented group he had ever been part of.
Now, fans are able to see exactly why Powell was so nonchalant after George’s departure.
Stormin’ Norman
In the first seven games of 2024-25, Powell has averaged 24.9 points per game while converting 50.8 percent of his field goal attempts (including 45.0 percent of his three-point attempts). Minus his steal rate, these are all career-highs for the former second-round pick. Powell also already has two games scoring 30 or more points, which is more than he had all of last season.
NORMAN POWELL IS A 🪣 pic.twitter.com/HsC6PDjqvf
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 3, 2024
For reference, George averaged 23.0 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting from the field (39.7 percent from three) while with the Clippers. There are elements of George’s game that Powell hasn’t matched, such as his prowess as a shot creator and playmaker. However, Powell is making it pretty easy for Los Angeles to live without him.
Though the Clippers are just 3-4, that’s largely because they haven’t been able to replace George and Leonard. Unless Powell ups his scoring average to an unprecedented and highly unlikely 40 points per game, he won’t be doing that alone. Though Los Angeles is getting career numbers from him and Ivica Zubac, who is averaging 17.4 points per game, the void is just too large to fill. Even when or if future Hall of Fame guard James Harden catches his stride.
Unfortunately, time waits for no man, so all the Clippers can do is wait for their top player to come back. Nonetheless, the future actually looks bright for L.A.’s little brother franchise.
