NBA Power Rankings: Listing the 10-Best Defensive Teams
By John Kim
8. Los Angeles Clippers
Dec. 23, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) blocks the Phoenix Suns guard Shannon Brown (26) in the first half at US Airways Center. The Clippers defeated the Suns 103-77. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
The Clips posted a 101.6 defensive rating (8th) with 94.6 points per game allowed (4th) in the 2012-13 season. The Clippers did not make any significant improvements for their defense this offseason but there shouldn’t be doubt whether they will be able to have a repeat performance next season.
Chris Paul is one the toughest defensive point guards in the league. He made the 2012-13 NBA All-Defensive First Team despite going up against other “defensive-specialist” guards like Avery Bradley and Tony Allen. Paul is in the upper-echelon of floor generals in the NBA regardless of which end of the court he’s on.
With plenty of bigs like Lamar Odom, DeAndre Jordan, and Ronny Turiaf, there are a lot of big bodies to occupy and protect the paint. Matt Barnes and Willie Green gives the Clippers respectable wing-defenders that will complement the other defensive positions.
The Clippers have played great team defense and led by Paul will continue to do so into the next season.