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NBA Power Rankings: The Los Angeles Clippers’ curse is lame

By Brandon Jefferson

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) embraces guard Chris Paul (3) after game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) embraces guard Chris Paul (3) after game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is a key piece in today's Fanduel daily picks lineup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is a key piece in today’s Fanduel daily picks lineup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Antonio Spurs 36-9

Last week: 6-1
Last rank: 2nd

While LeBron James complains about a lack of bodies, the San Antonio Spurs seemingly find new ones to toss out on the floor on a nightly basis. Pau Gasol goes down with a hand injury, no problem, just toss in David Lee and Dewayne Dedmon. Tony Parker sits to recover and Dejounte Murray springs to life with solid games against some of the league’s top teams (14 points and 5 assists vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers and 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and one block vs. the Toronto Raptors). Gregg Popovich has always been the master at not only resting guys, but getting his lesser known players game experience throughout the season.

When LeBron waxes poetically about the Spurs having a deep roster, it’s because of how Pop exploits situations like injuries and rest to his team’s advantage. Whereas LeBron is playing 40-plus minutes in losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, Kawhi Leonard is getting days off and watching his second team mop up the Brooklyn Nets by 26 points. Despite losing Tim Duncan, the Spurs are once again, and quietly, right on the heels of the Golden State Warriors. They currently sit just two games back of the “Superteam”. With the Warriors still working out their chemistry and kinks it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the Spurs were able to overtake them for the top spot at some point this season.

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