Who wants to meet this Clippers next season?

The Clippers in the 2025-2026 season are like a shiny multi-function Swiss army knife. Although the main lineup is older and seems to be not extremely sharp, they can cope with various complex situations in the playoffs together. This comprehensiveness may make many teams pray in front of the schedule: Don’t meet them too early.

First look at the aura of the five starting players standing on the field, and it feels like it is not easy to mess with. Harden averaged 22.8 points per game last season, plus 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals, shooting 41% from the field and 35.2% from three-point shooting percentage. Although Harden's speed is not as fast as when he was young, he has rich experience in the game and is particularly good at playing with his brain on the court. His breakthrough is still sharp and his three-pointers are also accurate. What's more amazing is that he can always cleverly create excellent scoring opportunities for his teammates and activate the entire team's offense. Imagine the moment Harden and Zubac cover the moment he swept his eyes across the defense line next season, either shook his wrist and gave Collins the empty cut at the baseline, or suddenly accelerated the breakthrough and passed the ball, giving Bill a three-pointer chance to ambush the weak side. His "slow and sudden acceleration" rhythm became a weapon to break the tight press when the defensive intensity of the playoffs was full. After all, the defender in the league who could keep up with his "walking breakthrough" rhythm could count his hands.

Look at Bill, he averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals last season, with a shooting percentage of 49.7% and a three-point shooting percentage of 38.6%. Although his data is not particularly outstanding and he is suffering from injuries, he has a lot of offensive methods, whether it is a mid-range jump shot or an outside three-pointer, it can pose a considerable threat to his opponent. As long as he stays healthy, he will definitely play an important role in the Clippers' system. The most terrifying thing about him is not to hold the ball alone, but to run around the cover like a ghost when he is out of the ball. Harden accidentally passes the ball, and he can complete the shot outside the three-point line by receiving the ball. The whole action is so fast that it makes people unable to react. This kind of scoring ability that does not take up the ball and is efficient can complement Xiaoka. After all, Xiaoka is best at taking over the ball and tearing the defense line with unsolvable mid-range singles.

Xiaoka averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals last season, shooting percentage of 49.8% and three-point shooting percentage of 41.1%. Xiao Ka is a superstar with both offense and defense. When attacking, his mid-range singles are unsolvable, and at critical moments it is the team's most trusted scoring point; on the defensive end, his death-wrapped defense can make the opponent's offensive core headaches and create great difficulties for the opponent's scoring. In the regular season, you can see him occasionally playing the No. 4 position, pestering the opponent's core forward line. The stability of "If you enter one, I will give you another one" is simply a nightmare for the opponent in the playoffs.

John Collins averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block last season, shooting percentage of 52.7% and three-point shooting percentage of 39.9%. He performed very efficiently on the offensive end, with both strong inside and three-pointers from the outside, and he can actively compete for rebounds to create second offensive opportunities for the team; in terms of defense, his height and wingspan can also cause a lot of trouble for his opponents. Although Collins is not a top inside player, his rebounding and mid-range jump shots can just fill the Clippers' shortcomings in the past weak inside offense.

Zubac averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks last season, with a shooting percentage of 62.8%. As the inside gate, his ability to protect the basket is excellent. Standing under the basket is like an insurmountable wall, making the opponent dare not easily hit the basket. At the same time, he has strong ability to eat cake on the offensive end and can cooperate well with outside players. Zubac is like a heavy anchor, and can make the opponent's breakthrough players feel scared when they are stuck at the basket. The data per game of nearly 2 blocks hides his silent protection skills.

Tyron Lu's tactical board next season has obviously enriched a lot. The "Harden Zubac Pick-and-roll dependence" that was criticized last season has become a kaleidoscope this season. Sometimes Kat and Collins play high and low posts, sometimes Bill and Harden exchange ball holders, and even occasionally put a small lineup of "three defenders + double front lines" to rush for a fast attack. The most amazing thing is his control over the rhythm of the game. For example, he suddenly changed into a defensive lineup at the end of the third quarter, caught his opponent off guard with a wave of suffocating defense, and when the opponent adapted, he changed to the offensive lineup and bombarded him indiscriminately. This change in rhythm, which is fast and slow, makes it difficult for opponents to find a stable coping strategy.

In addition, the depth of the bench is the Clippers' hidden killer move. Lopez has now completely become a template for "space center". After Zubac left the court, he could stand at the basket and fight head-on with his opponent, and suddenly hit the three-point line and shoot a cold arrow. Last season, his three-point shooting percentage was higher than that of many defenders. Although Batum can't run fast, his experience is more expensive than gold. An accurate pass and a key steal in the playoffs can often change the direction of the game. The most surprising thing is Bogdanovic. He has a "microwave" physique. No matter when he comes on the court, he can score points with the ball. Sometimes the main player feels bad, and it all depends on him biting the score in the substitute stage.

More importantly, this team has a "stood energy" in it. Harden has won the MVP but lacks a championship. Although Kazuki has a ring, he wants to prove that he can lead the team to win the championship even if he leaves the Spurs. Bill and Paul have played in the playoffs for so many years and have not touched the floor of the finals. These veterans know in their hearts that such a lineup configuration may be in the past or two seasons, and no one wants to leave any regrets. They can be seen in the regular season. Even if they lead by 20, they will not relax on the defensive end; even if they fall behind by 10, no one will play on the offensive end.. This mature and steady temperament is often more effective than talent in a high-pressure environment like the playoffs.

Boss Ballmer has spent money like a run-off in recent years. From coaches to trainers, from medical teams to nutritionists, he has almost equipped the team with the top logistics support in the entire league. The players knew that the boss was so dedicated, and there was no reason not to fight to the death. This kind of atmosphere of unity between the top and the bottom makes the Clippers not fight each other like some "stars pile up teams", but rather like a whole. Harden is willing to pick and roll for Xiaoka, Xiaoka is willing to pass the ball to Bill, and even the substitute players know what they should do when they come on the court.

From this perspective, the Clippers in the 2025-2026 season are indeed like a tough tough bone, with balanced offense and defense, rich experience, clear roles, and a ruthless spirit of "not giving up if you won the championship". The Clippers' starting five Tigers in the new season have made coach Tyron Lule so prosperous. Harden, Bill, Kat, Collins and Zubac, once this lineup is set up, anyone who sees it will be afraid of three points. If you meet such an opponent in the playoffs, it is difficult to win easily. So, it’s really not unreasonable that other teams don’t want to meet them early. No one wants to meet such a difficult opponent at the beginning of the playoffs. Harden can finally call on the whole league and truly have the strength to lead the team to compete for the championship.