Los Angeles Clippers: 8-1
From here on in, it is all legit. No pretenders. No”if a few things go right” aspirants. No more”maybe, only perhaps” hopefuls.
Real contenders only.
The Clippers, by virtue of being said after that debut, are one such competition.
Free of the shadow cast by Donald Sterling and imbued with all the frightening enthusiasm and impossibly deep pockets of fresh owner Steve Ballmer, the Clips will look to lock a top-three seed from the West again. This moment, tough, they’ll aspire to advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The majority of the responsibility falls upon the recognizable shoulders of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, two players who may readily lead the Clips to another No. 1 finish in offensive performance. With Doc Rivers’ direction and (hopefully) another step from DeAndre Jordan, L.A. is in great position for another deep playoff run.
There are concerns.
The wing positions are somewhat feeble behind J.J. Redick. Matt Barnes is supposed to begin in the 3, and at age 34 there ought to be real worries that his 4.2 percent (yes, 4.2% ) shooting from long range during the preseason is less a blip and more a sign that his offensive game has dropped off a cliff.
Spencer Hawes was the team’s big offseason get, and as precious as he is as a passer and floor-spacer, he won’t frighten anybody on protection.
If the crime remains elite and Rivers can manage his frontcourt rotation wisely, the Clippers might be marginally better than they were a year ago. That might be sufficient for them to reach heights they have never attained.
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