Clippers look like Finals contenders Angelenos have heard this story before. Since the ‘Lob City’ era and into the Paul George and Leonard Clippers, the team has long been touted as contenders and has always fallen short. The franchise has never made a Finals appearance, despite boasting Leonard for six seasons. This year, James Harden, who has his own collection of playoff failures, is the second-best player, but the team seems to have put their egos aside. “He looks like the purest form of basketball, I don’t know how to explain it,” finished Pierce. “I saw a superstar rise to the occasion, it was beautiful to watch at both ends of the court. Scorers like that, myself, when you got it going, there’s nothing that you can really do.” If Leonard continues his offensive output, which seems unstoppable, and is able to stay on the court, the Clippers are legitimate contenders and should be favored over the Nuggets, although those are massive what-ifs.