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Portland Trail Blazers: Projecting playoff seeding for entire Western Conference

By Carson Brown

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Power Rankings - Portland Trail Blazers
Kawhi Leonard #2 and Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Clippers: 1st Seed

The Los Angeles Clippers most crazy offseason in franchise history is coasting through the finish line as everything went according to plan. The Clippers are coming off a season where they were counted out at first and the amount of doubters only elevated when Tobias Harris got traded to Detroit.

This starless Clipper team exceeded expectations and finished the season as the eighth seed in the Western Conference on the backs of their six man of the year Lou Williams. The playoff berth came with two wins over the fully loaded Warriors team including a legendary thirty-one point comeback in game two in the Bay. The Clippers celebrated Christmas in late June as Kawhi Leonard is the best present anyone could ask for who arrived once the Paul George trade was finalized.

This team is loaded! Between the two-way abilities of Leonard and George and the tenacious defense of Pat Beverly obviously makes this team the favorite out west. Also the explosive energy Montrezl Harrell brings to the table and the fact that Lou Will can get a bucket whenever he wants makes this team terrifying. Leonard is coming off one of the best playoffs runs we’ve seen in history that wrapped up with the Raptors being NBA champions and the Larry O’Brien award in the clutches of the Klaw.

Paul George being the partner in crime to their silent assassin gives the Clippers the best partnership in a league that possesses so many dynamic duos. George is coming off a career year where we watched him thrust his way amongst the league’s top talent and receive a spot as a finalist for last year’s MVP award. The offensive expertise George showcases in his ability to score from all three levels of the game makes him deadly and at times a difficult force to curtail.

Alongside the core pieces of the Clippers comes with an excess of talent such as young sharpshooter Landry Shamet, veteran forwards in Moe Harkless and JaMychal Green and Ivica Zubac who has shown promise for LA. Let’s not forget that having Doc Rivers as your leader in command means the troops will always be ready for battle.

Next. 3 worst playoff matchups for the Blazers. dark

This Clippers crew has potential to win more than 60 games and the opportunity to have the city of Los Angeles in the palm of their hands.