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The NBA wants its fans to become intimately familiar with the Clippers, no matter where they finish in the standings.

Truth be told, a canceled season wouldn't have been fatal for the Clippers from a long-term perspective. They would've likely woken up in spring 2012 with only $24 million committed for the 2012-13 season, the privilege to match any offer on Eric Gordon, full Bird rights for DeAndre Jordan and two of the first eight picks in the next NBA draft.

For all the giddy anticipation, the Clippers have work to do if they're going to qualify for the postseason. The starting small forward spot has been a question mark for eternity. Some acceptable candidates exist on the free agency market, but Tayshaun Prince, Caron Butler, Andrei Kirilenko, Jason Richardson, Shane Battier each has his imperfections. The Clippers are fond of that $24 million number headed into Summer 2012. They're unlikely to compromise it too much by racking up long-term liabilities just for the sake of finishing 35-31.

Speaking of which, this is the final guaranteed season on head coach Vinny Del Negro's contract with the team (The Clippers hold a team option for 2012-13). What's the threshold of success for Del Negro to stay in the good graces of the Clippers' front office? Will a .500 season clear the bar? Would a defensive leap forward, something akin to what the Bulls accomplished during Del Negro's season season in Chicago, secure his future? So long as he earns the confidence of the young talent, would that do the trick?

The primary pieces of that young core each have a lengthy to-do list. Griffin might be the league's most telegenic young star, but for the Clippers to make a Thunder-like jump, he'll need to become a defensive anchor and stretch out his shooting range. Gordon becomes a restricted free agent at season's end. As the team's leading guard, he must apply his individual exploits to create the kind of small-big chemistry elite teams demonstrate. The Clippers will probably have to pay Jordan big money to stay a Clipper. The day they do, Jordan stops being a curio with tantalizing tools and must quickly grow into a Top 10 NBA center.

Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN Los Angeles