Kawhi Leonard and Paul George team up in L.A. (Getty Images)

You know you’re big time when you can top an earthquake as the biggest news of the day. Just a little over two hours after a 7.1 magnitude quake rocked Southern California, Kawhi Leonard registered a major aftershock when he decided to come to the Los Angeles Clippers and brought another All-Star player with him.

The stunning announcement shifted the balance of power in the NBA. All of a sudden, the Clippers — long considered the JV team at Staples Center — became the favorites to win the 2019-20 NBA title and it evaporated dreams of a Lakers superteam. In the end, Kawhi wasn’t really interested in joining forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He was more interested in creating his own dynamic duo across the hallway.

Sacramento may be the capital of California, but Los Angeles is now the epicenter of the basketball universe.

For a guy known around the league for being quiet, Kawhi sure knows how to communicate what he wants. Kawhi looked around the landscape to see who’d be interested in joining him in L.A. He reportedly tried Kevin Durant, but he was already set for Brooklyn. There were reports he tried to lure Kyrie Irving but Kyrie also had his sights set on Brooklyn. That’s when he turned his attention to another former Southern California native, Paul George. Kawhi laid the groundwork by talking to George about joining forces. Once PG13 was onboard, Kawhi then told the Clippers what he wanted. His message was: make it happen and I’m coming. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and general manager Lawrence Frank went to work, and with the help of legend Jerry West acting as yoda, the Clippers got a deal done with Oklahoma City to bring George to L.A. Once PG13 was in the Clipper fold, Kawhi said “no” to the Lakers and Toronto Raptors.

This is now the new NBA. Two stars surrounded by good role players.

When Durant decided to leave Golden State and take his talents to Brooklyn, the superteam era officially came to an end. And this is a good thing for the league because the Warriors simply had a significant competitive advantage during Durant’s three years in the Bay Area. They had arguably four of the top 15 players in the league all in the primes. It just wasn’t fair.

Now that the Warriors are down to three studs (two for now until Klay Thompson returns from his ACL injury), teams feel like they have a shot.

Kawhi saw what Durant went through in Golden State. He saw all the scrutiny KD endured for joining a superteam and he wasn’t about to walk into that same fire. Kawhi already earned two NBA championship rings and wasn’t interested in being handed a third.

The move may not have been popular in Laker Land but it definitely made it a lot more interesting for the NBA and basketball fans. The league is wide open.

The Clippers may be heavy favorites according to Las Vegas oddmakers but there are bunch of teams led by terrific tandems right behind them, all with legitimate shots at winning a championship. OneManFastbreak breaks down the best duos in the NBA:

Kawhi Leonard + Paul George (L.A. Clippers) – Kawhi and PG are considered the best two-way players in the NBA. Add pit bull guard Patrick Beverley to the mix and the Clippers may possess the most impenetrable defense in basketball.

LeBron James + Anthony Davis (L.A. Lakers) – Last we checked, LeBron is still pretty good. He’s coming off one of his worst seasons due to injury, but statistically LeBron is still a top-15 player when healthy. The same can be said about AD. When he’s healthy, Davis is arguably the best big man in the basketball and capable of producing astronomical numbers.

Steph Curry + Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) – The Splash Brothers have taken a bit of a hit recently due to injuries and tons of mileage from playing in five straight NBA Finals. But we’re not ready to count out the Splash Brothers.

James Harden + Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets) – When Woj broke the story that Westbrook would be traded from OKC to Houston for Chris Paul and draft picks, a lot of basketball pundits immediately dismissed the Harden-Westbrook collabo as a desperate move by the Rockets. Talking heads are completely missing one important factor: friendship. Harden and Westbrook are very good friends off the court, so they will find a way to make it work on the court.

Damian Lillard + C.J. McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers) – One NBA executive said Lillard and McCollum are so good they can carry three dudes from the YMCA into the playoffs. Lillard and McCollum could have been in the Finals if Jusuf Nurkic didn’t break his leg.

Ben Simmons + Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – Simmons and Embiid are the Eastern Conference version of LeBron and AD. The Sixers came within a Kawhi Hail Mary bounce in Game 7 from reaching the conference finals. If Simmons adds a jumper and Embiid gets in better shape, Philly could reach the Finals for the first time since the Allen Iverson era.

Mike Conley + Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz) – The Jazz upgraded at point guard with the acquisition of Mike Conley from Memphis. The veteran gives budding superstar Donovan Mitchell a runningmate who can run the team, score if needed and defend his position.

Jamal Murray + Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) – Jokic had a breakout season in 2019 as he established himself as one of the best centers in the Association. The 7-footer is a walking triple-double and the Nuggets run their offense through him. The Nuggets believe in Murray after signing him to a $170 million contract.

Kyrie Irving + Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) – This dynamic duo should be higher strictly on star power. Because of Durant’s devastating Achilles injury, NBA fans will have to wait a year. Kyrie will have to shoulder the load until KD returns.

Cody Zeller posts impressive back-to-back games for the Bobcats. (GETTY IMAGES)

LAS VEGAS — You don’t have to be a basketball junkie to love the NBA Summer League, especially if the venue is Las Vegas, Nevada. For the general admission price of $25 you get to watch a slew of games at Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, and if you’re paying attention you could bump into some celebrities or NBA executives. That’s like watching four live shows for the same price you would pay for a dinner buffet at Mandalay Bay.

One of the perks of being the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net is I get to make the pilgrimage to Sin City each summer to observe and absorb what is fast becoming one of the best shows on the Vegas Strip. A list of who’s hot and who’s not at the Vegas Summer League.

WHO’S HOT

Jonas Valanciunas — The Toronto Raptors second-year pro looks like he’s added some muscle during the offseason and is ready to start from Day 1. Valanciunas went to work in his first summer league game, dominating the paint and scoring 20 points on just eight shots in the first 20 minutes of the game, most of them coming against Miami Heat center Jarvis Varnado. The 21-year-old Lithuanian averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds a game and named the MVP of the Vegas summer league. If Valanciunas continues to develop, the Raptors could have their center of the present and future to go with wing studs Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan.

Cody Zeller — After a rough first game, the former Indiana University standout showed what he’s all about in his second and third games for the Charlotte Bobcats. He posted 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks, and then had 18 and 10 against the New York Knicks on 7-for-11 shooting from field. Zellar has been consistently knocking down his 18-20 footer, which makes his drives to the basket even more potent. Charlotte will be a much-improved team for the 2013-14 season led by Zeller, Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and newly acquired center Al Jefferson. Michael Jordan has finally figured out how this owner thing works.

C.J. McCollum — The Portland Trail Blazers must be doing cartwheels again this offseason after hitting the jackpot for the second straight season after drafting Lehigh star C.J. McCollum. McCollum has been better than advertised, showing a knack for creating offense when set plays break down. Also, his competitive spirit and intangibles are off the charts. He nearly single-handedly brought back the Blazers with 22 points in a tournament game against Phoenix. McCollum scored in a variety of ways, and was very patient coming off high screen-and-rolls. He should provide Portland with another perimeter stud to run with reigning rookie of the year Damian Lillard.

Austin Rivers — What a difference a year makes. At last year’s Vegas summer league, Rivers appeared like a freshman being rushed into an older fraternity. He was trying so hard to fit in that he often made mistakes along the way. This year, however, Rivers looks more comfortable — and quicker. He plays with more force on his forays to the basket and seems to have a better idea on how to attack a defense. Rivers has been playing a lot of point this summer for the New Orleans Pelicans, which leads us to believe that he’ll be the backup to Jrue Holiday or spell Eric Gordon at shooting guard.

WHO’S NOT

Ben McLemore — The Sacramento Kings guard suffered through a rough shooting game in his summer league debut, making just four of 23 shots from the field and looked a bit overwhelmed. He followed that awful performance with an even worse performance in his second game, missing his first seven 3-point attempts and finished the game just 4-for-12 from the field. A lot of McLemore’s 3-point shots weren’t even close to the rim, and some didn’t touch it. He just needs to settle down and move inside the line to get his stroke back.

Otto Porter Jr. — Speaking of struggling to find his stroke, the Washington Wizards forward is in the same boat as McLemore. Porter has been short on most of his misses, which means he’s not getting enough lift on his jumper. He also needs to be a little stronger with the ball as defenders are able to push him out of his favorite spots. Porter has good length and decent athletically, so he should be able to adjust to the pro game in due time.

Myck Kabongo — The former Texas Longhorn went undrafted in June and now we know why. He struggled during the Orlando summer league and he’s struggling again in the Vegas summer league. Kabongo is listed at 6-1 but he looks like he’s south of six feet. His ability to blow by defenders was suppose to be a strength, but he hasn’t shown it enough. And he’s a reluctant shooter, which makes it harder to create floor space. The Miami Heat could still invite Kabongo to training camp, but he will have a hard time supplanting either Mario Chalmers or Norris Cole at the point.

Meyers Leonard — There were scouts and experts who actually thought Leonard was a top-10 player in the 2012 draft. That’s a bit of a head-scratcher because Leonard has draft bust written all over him. He doesn’t rebound well in traffic and doesn’t play big in the middle. He’s very limited offensively and for some reason has fallen in love with the 3-ball. The Blazers have had a string of bad luck when it comes to centers and, unfortunately, Leonard is going to continue this sad tradition. To put in mildly, he’s a poor man’s Frank Brickowski. Sorry, Frank.

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

OneManFastBreak.net ranks the 12 best pro prospects in the 2013 NBA draft:

1. Cody Zeller, Indiana, sophomore, PF/C (7-0, 245)

Scouting report: Zeller is a skilled big man who runs well for his size. He scores a lot of points in transition by simply beating his man down the court. He has gotten better with his post-up game and has shown a much-improved jumper, but his face-up shot still needs a lot of work. Because of his ability to put the ball on the deck, he’s more of a power forward than a center. He tested extremely well during the NBA draft combine in Chicago, ranking first in all the agility drills among the big men. He tends to struggle against long and athletic forwards. One way to combat that is to bulk up so he can bull his way to the rim. He should be a solid pro and, if he builds more strength. His biggest weakness is he can get overpowered inside by bigger defenders. NBA comparison: David Lee

2. Victor Oladipo, Indiana, junior, SG (6-4, 215)

Scouting report: One NBA assistant general manager says Oladipo can defend multiple positions. He has improved every season in college, and has a great work ethic. The Dwyane Wade comparisons is a bit of a reach, but Oladipo is a fearless competitor with a great motor much like Wade was coming into the league. He should excel at the next level because of his defensive prowess and plays hard all the time. He may not possess great shooting range, but he knows how to attack the basket and has great body control. He should enjoy a long pro career. NBA comparison: Dwyane Wade

3. Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, freshman, C (6-11, 206)

Scouting report: Noel is a superb shot blocker, and it’s a special skill that could land him as the No. 1 pick in the draft. However, Noel is also very limited offensively and it could take a few years for him to develop offensively. What NBA execs love about Noel, aside from his shot blocking abilities, is his great motor. He runs the floor well and doesn’t give up on a play. The reason why he injured his ACL in his one and only year at Kentucky was because he was tracking down a breakaway layup. Teams will never fault a guy for hustling. If you click around on all the mock drafts, Noel seems to be everyone’s favorite to land in the No. 1 spot. However, teams should be leery of Noel’s medical history and consider the fact that he could turn out to be injury prone. NBA comparison: Antonio McDyess

4. Otto Porter Jr. , Georgetown, sophomore, SF (6-8, 205)

Scouting report: Porter may be the safest pick in this year’s draft class. He has all the physical tools, as well as the mental capacity to handle the rigors of being a professional. He’s a tall wing player and his length makes him a high-upside player. He plays within himself and has a high basketball IQ. He plays hard all the time and doesn’t get rattled easily. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, but that’s a good thing because it means he has room to grow. He nearly doubled his scoring average from his freshman year (9) at Georgetown to his sophomore year (17), and greatly improved his outside shot. His dribble and strength remains a weakness, but that can be masked if the right team drafts him. NBA comparison: Jeff Green

5. C.J. McCollum, Lehigh, senior, PG/SG (6-3, 197)

Scouting report: Despite a broken foot that sidelined him for 19 games in 2012-13, McCollum still had a decent senior season. He is a 20-point scorer in college and has all the shots: 3-pointers, pull-up jumpers, floaters, runners, step-back jumpers. Lehigh didn’t play against elite competition, so his individual statistics may be a bit inflated. He doesn’t possess elite quickness, but knows how to get around his man and create his own shot. He’s more of a shooting guard than a true point guard, but can play both at the pro level. He tends to look for his own shot instead of creating offense for teammates. NBA comparison: Monta Ellis

6. Trey Burke, Michigan, sophomore, PG (6-0, 190)

Scouting report: Burke had a tremendous season and made a big jump in improvement from freshman to sophomore year. He is highly competitive and a clever basketball player. He is a true point guard and knows how to run the pick-and-roll, which is a prerequisite for all young point guards. Plays with great poise and is not bothered by big moments. His signature moment in the NCAA Tournament came in the Sweet 16 when he knocked down a long 3-point shot at the buzzer against Kansas to send the game into overtime. The biggest question is his size, but he can overcome that with his quickness and high basketball IQ. NBA comparison: Damian Lillard

7. Ben McLemore, Kansas, freshman, SG (6-5, 195)

Scouting report: McLemore is a terrific athletic who explodes off the floor. He is considered the top shooting guard in the draft. He has a NBA-type body to go along with an outstanding leaping ability. He runs the court extremely well and is a highlight-reel play waiting to happen. He has very good quickness and can can finish strong around the basket. The only knock on the Jayhawks freshman is his size. He’s listed at 6-5, but may be a little below that. Kansas coach Bill Self compares him to another Kansas standout Brandon Rush. No disrespect to Rush but McLemore is a much better player and should have a better pro career. NBA comparison: Steve Francis

8. Anthony Bennett, UNLV, freshman, SF/PF (6-7, 240)

Scouting report: Bennett has already declared for the draft so he’s official on teams’ draft boards. He can score in a variety of ways. He can do it in the low post and away from the basket, and he’s quick enough to take defenders off the dribble. He’s strong and athletic, a deadly combination for any NBA player. At 6-7, Bennett is a bit undersized as a power forward, but teams shouldn’t shy away from him because of his lack of ideal size. Scouts said the same thing about Kenneth Faried and he’s doing just fine in Denver. Bennett is too strong for small forwards and too quick for power forwards. The Cavaliers are set with their backcourt of the future in Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. Now it’s time to upgrade the frontcourt. Bennett is a beast of a forward who will complement Cavs big men Tristan Thompson, Tyler Zeller, and Anderson Varejao. NBA comparison: Corliss Williamson

9. Alex Len, Maryland, sophomore, C (7-1, 255 )

Scouting report: Len is an intriguing prospect because of his size and unlimited potential. Center and point guard are the two most important positions in basketball, and Len is a natural center who could develop into a terrific starter. Len, who turns 20 years old in June, was a standout for the Ukrainian under-18 squad. He sets good screens and knows how to roll to the basket, which is a lost art among big men. He also has great touch around the basket and shown that he can face up and knock down a jumper from 18-20 feet. He’s a natural shot-blocker who uses his physical tools and great timing to alter shots around the basket. NBA comparison: Nikola Vucevic

10. Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan, junior, SG/SF (6-6, 200)

Scouting report: Hardaway Jr. is the son of former Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat standout point guard Tim Hardaway. Junior is much bigger than his daddy, who was barely 6 feet tall, and a better athlete. Junior also has a better shooting stroke than his daddy, and could be a decent two-way player because of his 6-6 frame. Hardaway Jr. took a backseat to celebrated teammate Trey Burke at Michigan, but don’t let the stats foot you. He is a much better player than his numbers showed and played big in the big games. And being the son of a former NBA star gives Hardaway Jr. a leg up on his peers. NBA comparison: Kendall Gill

11. Rudy Gobert, France, C (7-2, 238)

Scouting report: Gobert is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft. He may not wow you with great athletic ability, but he has the potential to be a very good NBA center. He has soft hands, moves his feet well for a 7-footer, and has a wingspan of 7 feet, 9 inches. He’s not a fluid athlete, but with a 7-9 wingspan he doesn’t need to be. He’s very mature for his age (20), having played professionally in France, and already battle tested. French players usually translate well in the NBA (see Tony Parker, Nic Batum, Boris Diaw, Ronny Turiaf, Mikael Pietrus), so drafting him is not a total reach. A smart general manager would take a chance on selecting Gobert and stashing him in Europe for one season. NBA comparison: Marcus Camby

12. Allen Crabbe, California, junior, SG/SF (6-6, 210)

Scouting report: Crabbe was the Pac-12 Player of the Year. Other former Pac-12 MVPs who went on to have great success in the NBA are Jason Kidd, Brandon Roy, Kevin Love, and James Harden. Crabbe is a very smooth player who has great size for a shooting guard. He has great range and excellent form in his jumper. He’s a catch-and-shoot player who knows how to come off screens. Crabbe and Michigan’s Tim Hardaway Jr. are comparable in a lot of categories, but Crabbe gets the slight edge because he was a little more consistent. The knock on Crabbe is his unassuming personality, which could be misunderstood for being soft or passive. NBA comparison: Wilson Chandler

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter at: twitter.com/onemanfastbreak.