Move Over, Los Angeles Clippers: Golden State Warriors Are Class of the Pacific Division
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Everyone could see a great rivalry between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors coming. After decades of mediocrity, both teams started to be viewed as contenders at around the same time behind two of the best point guards in the league: Stephen Curry and Chris Paul. With the demise of the Los Angeles Lakers after the departure of Dwight Howard and injuries to Kobe Bryant, the Pacific Division is up for the taking.
Despite the loss of Andrew Bogut in last season’s playoffs, the Warriors pushed the Clippers to seven games, eventually losing in a 126-121 track meet. With the Warriors’ makeover over the summer, bringing in Steve Kerr to replace coach Mark Jackson and improving their depth, the Warriors clearly sought to dominate the Pacific in 2014-2015.
So far, the Warriors’ makeover has paid off. Kerr has revitalized an offense that most deemed to be underperforming under Jackson; through the first three games of the season, the Warriors have scored the fourth-most points per game in the NBA while playing at the league’s fastest pace, a stark departure from Jackson’s plodding, isolation-driven offense. In addition, Kerr’s Dubs have maintained the elite defense that they achieved last year, holding opponents to just 90 points a game thus far in the 2014 season.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have mired in mediocrity despite improving their depth in the offseason. Through their first four games, the Clips have averaged just 103 points per game and have given up 100 points per game, ranking 11th and 18th in the league, respectively. While Blake Griffin now is one of the league’s most versatile and deadly offensive players, the team generally looks out of sorts and has not executed as efficiently as it did last season.
As the Dubs dominated the Clips last night, the Pacific Division crown hangs in the balance. It might just be time for a changing of the guard.
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