ESPN: 2013-14 outlook: Los Angeles Clippers

[mkwest]

'13-14 outlook: Los Angeles Clippers

1. What grade would you give the Clippers' offseason?

Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN.com: A-minus. The organization nailed the big tasks. The Clippers acquired a coach who commands the highest respect of NBA players, and found two wings who understand how to function in the offense and can shoot the ball from distance -- one of them at a real bargain. They're a little thin up front behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, and they don't really have a shutdown on-ball defender in the backcourt, but overall it was a very productive offseason.

2. What's the biggest question facing the Clippers in 2013-14?

Buha: Can they defend at an elite level in the postseason? Don't let last season's ninth-ranked defense fool you. The Clippers had the 21st-ranked defense after Feb. 1, which ultimately cost them their season. Rivers' strongside defensive system should coax initial improvement, but it'll have to hold up for the Clips to have a deep playoff run.

3. Who's the Clippers' most intriguing player?

Han: Blake Griffin. Griffin's taken a good deal of unwarranted criticism the past two seasons. While his raw numbers may have dipped, Griffin's per-36-minutes production has remained consistent. With a new motion offense installed by Alvin Gentry, Griffin could be poised to take flight again.

ESPN

[og15]

I knew the defense was poor later in the season, but I didn't know it was that bad, thought it was in the late teens. Was there a playoff defense worse than 21st?

Two things I wouldn't mind:
1) Somehow trade Crawford for a solid backup big man
2) Plug Bullock into the backup SG role and let him develop into that on ball "shut-down" backcourt defender