Los Angelas Clippers Season Preview

Los Angeles Clippers

2014 Record: 56-26

2015 O/U: 57

Who are their stars?

We all know lob city, and after this summer I think we all know there is the big three in LAC. Chris Paul is obviously the one, this team goes as he goes, and point guard just so happens to be pretty much bare after him. Paul is the man, he has hit big time shots, and the choke in Houston should weigh on his shoulders. In the regular season I would expect nothing but the best out of Paul, but there will always be the playoffs question around, him and Blake Griffin and the Clippers. Griffin is now gaining a jumper, and with a little better ball handling skills he will be arguably the toughest threat in the league. Until then, he is an all star quality player and a ridiculous athlete. Griffin, like Paul looked flat in that game 6 in Los Angeles, but for a regular season player he is a threat. This summer it seemed as though the loss of Deandre Jordan turned this team from title contender to playoff pretender, but the regaining of him does give me a brighter outlook. The team is talented and you would think they could pull of a trade for the right piece as this goes on. In all, all three will have big chips on their shoulders, and with that I see them competing for the one seed in the West.

Who are the glue guys?

JJ Redick is underrated in what he does as a defender, and his three-point ability makes him a great asset. The connection of him and coach Doc Rivers, and his awareness of where Jordan is behind him is what I see as the help to Reddick becoming such a quality player, and he really is a piece they wouldn’t be able to lose this season. When you look at those four and Jamaal Crawford coming off the bench in the sixth man role, you knew this team needed more. You knew Griffin couldn’t play 40 minutes every other night, so I in the season should leave them with players prepared to play roles in the playoffs. The off-season additions of Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, and Josh Smith are the guys that will need to learn their roles this season. Smith can obviously spell Griffin, and allow Griffin to play center. Pierce can play stretch four as well as the small forward. Lance can play small forward as well as some two, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they attempted to have him run some point next to Crawford or vice-versa. Either way, I see Stephenson doing what Crawford can do and I think the world knows Crawford is on the trade block. If he cannot run point a lot and distribute the ball, he could make for a three-point shooter or a bench point guard on the market.

Who are the rotational players?

I am sure that Rivers will try to find a way to have Austin Rivers get some of those minutes at back up point guard. Aside from him they have nothing so I am not sure what else. Wesley Johnson is an underrated player who can relieve Pierce when he sits out and be effective. Other than that there is Cole Aldrich, who has the team potentially in need of a back up center, as well as Brandon Dawson, who I actually am excited to see as a high-energy bench guy.

Where do they rank? Over Under? How far do they go?

Like I said, I think the chip on their shoulder makes them strive for the one seed. Of the top four teams in the West I think the Clippers and the Thunder have the most to prove, and the Warriors and Spurs are waiting for the playoffs. The Clippers may get that one if they stay healthy and can dish Crawford for a bench big or a bench point guard it would be ideal. I can see them making that run, and think they have more talent than a team like Houston. That said, Houston may still be deeper, and the choke that happened last year lingers. If they were matched up in the first round, and every one was healthy, I would lean to LAC in a revenge spot, but it is secretly because I want the final four of San Antonio, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, and Golden State, all healthy in the western conference semi finals. It would be basketball overdose. Here’s to health, as well as Chris Paul for a sneaky MVP season but that we will have to see.

Over 57 wins, 4th in the Western Conference, 5th in the NBA