Clippers take over No. 1 spot; Celtics, Sixers plummet

It's strange, but true: The Clippers might be the best team in the NBA. That statement would have been met with unadulterated laughter the past few years, but

It's strange, but true: The Clippers might be the best team in the NBA.

That statement would have been met with unadulterated laughter the past few years, but it's a reality that opponents are quickly coming to face this season. With the Thunder cooling off in Minnesota on Thursday, the Clippers own the league's longest winning streak at 11 games, matching a franchise record. They don't possess the NBA's best record -- that distinction still goes to Oklahoma City -- but they are tied for the lead with the Thunder in point differential (plus-8.8) and rank in the top four in both points scored and allowed per possession.

The Clippers have taken steps forward this season behind the NBA's best point guard and one of the league's most potent benches. Chris Paul deserves to be in the early discussion for MVP, and the Clippers' reserves -- better known as "A Tribe Called Bench" these days -- keep producing hits thanks to guards Jamal Crawford (16.6 points per game) and Eric Bledsoe (22.8 Player Efficiency Rating) and swingman Matt Barnes (13-1 in games he scores in double digits).

Yes, it might sound unnatural, but the Clippers are serious title contenders and are only going to get better after Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill return. Coach Vinny Del Negro might have trouble doling out the minutes, but that's not a bad problem to have.

The Clippers' ascension to the top spot -- which the Thunder held the previous two weeks -- isn't the only shakeup this week. The Pacers (No. 10) and Nuggets (No. 11) have moved up several spots, while the Celtics (No. 16) and 76ers (No. 20) have fallen.

(All stats and records are through Dec. 20.)

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