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2013-14 Team Expectations Thread

This is somewhat of an annual tradition. We usually do it before training camp starts and before we actually get a good look at the team.

ESPN forecasts a 56-26 record good for 3rd in the west (before announcement of KD injury). They hit the nail on the head last year.
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The Clippers managed to only win 2 out of their 8 preseason games. Win/loss record is not really much of a concern before they really start to matter. However, you want to see something positive heading into the regular season. I think Blake is in for a monster year, but I would like to see him grab a few more rebounds. He averaged about 6.5 per 36 mins in preseason. I want at least 3 more than that. Turk was great. Hawes showed a glimpse of his value. He was 10 of 23 (43.5%) from the perimeter, which is light years beyond that Mullens guy. Crawford was in mid-season form. Everybody else was kind of meh for me.

We were outrebounded 371-289 (or approximately 10 rebounds per game). Defense was there in segments, but so far from where it needs to be. Those were my concerns last year and I'm still waiting to be comforted by our performance in those areas.

I've kind of flip-flopped on where I think the team will finish. We missed a lot of games from Redick, Paul, Crawford and Barnes last season. Our starting line-up only played 4 total games together and we still managed 57 wins. A healthier season means we should be fairly certain to exceed that number...right? Personally, I'm not so sure. Most teams in the west have either improved or are getting healthier. It's still going to be a dogfight most nights with few opponents that you can just expect to show up and beat.

Having said all that, I'm going to go with my prediction from last year of a 58-24, but the 2nd seed in the west as opposed to 3rd. I so badly wanted to say 60, but I'll be wee bit more conservative than that. Obviously, this is assuming that we don't have any significant or lengthy injuries.

In the last 10 seasons, 58 wins (or its equivalent in the shortened season) has been good for:
1st place: 2 times
2nd place: 3 times
3rd place: 5 times

How do you all see the Clippers performing in the regular season this year?

61-21, 2nd seed

mttwlsn16 wrote:61-21, 2nd seed

same record.
1 seed.

64-18. Championship. Riots in LA because of fake Laker fans coming over.

I don't think I ever give exact records for my prediction. All I will say is 50 plus wins and we're in the playoffs. I know we will have a successful regular season, but I don't know, as of yet, what this team will do in the playoffs.

My predictions for this team are based on this simple philosophy that is rightfully ignored: Preseason games can and will be used against you.

Volatile Team - Will lead the league in technical fouls, flagrant fouls and ejections. Instigators. Chris Paul could face his first ever suspension. Proof: 1) J.J. Redick drew two techs after being fouled out and was ejected. 2) Blake Griffin and Trever Booker scuffle.

DJ Defense - DeAndre Jordan, their only defensive player. 85% of regular season will consist of opponents scoring 100 points against the Clippers. DJ will lead the league in rebounding, while LAC finishes last in total rebounding. Proof: 1) LAC allowed a seven-game streak of opponents surpassing the century mark; could have been eight. 2) Opponents outrebounded LAC 362-280. 3) Reportedly last at defending the 3, could carry over into the playoffs.

DJ All Star - Will (read: must) make the All Star Game this season. Will need to up his points, rebounds and block production to Dikembe Mutumbo/Manute Bol levels. Must also be willing to get himself ejected from a game as symbolism for "taking one for the team." Must get at least one triple double. Making the ASG keeps DJ as a Clipper long term. If he gets snubbed, or is not voted in, Doc will trade him for a superstar. Proof: Visit this and this for my conspiracy theory. 2013-14 DJ stats: 10.4 PTS, 13.6 REB, 2.5 BLK, projected: 12 PTS, 20 REB, 3.5 BLK (to fix his career line). Playoff Preventions: 3.6 shots for 7.5 points, 2.2 possessions, 2 delays and 1.8 helps.

Trade - Matt Barnes, older. Chris Douglas-Roberts, shaky. Reggie Bullock, not ready. 3-guard lineups all the way. Griffin will start one game at small forward. The only way Clips can get their small forward is by trade, and Crawford, Bullock and Wilcox won't be enough. They could be forced to trade DJ. Do they make the trade, or go all in on the kitchen sink method? Proof: Barnes, Douglas-Roberts and Bullock produced the worst PER stats in the preseason.

Still Make The Playoffs - Despite all these problems, the Clippers will make the playoffs, but I could see them really regress. If they really care about just making the playoffs, they should do what the L.A. Kings of NHL did and get in as the 8th seed. Surprise the top teams, and they could be the second team since the Knicks to make the Finals as an 8th seed. My Record: 55-27, 4th seed.

weren't we number 1 in 3 point defense last year?

Quake Griffin wrote:weren't we number 1 in 3 point defense last year?

Yes

goin with 60-22 this year, 3 game improvement. my prediction was spot on last year! (just had to throw it out there )

1st Pacific, 2nd in conference behind possibly the rockets =X with some key injuries with OKC/SA for the beginning of the season, it may take them a bit to get rolling.


Welcome back everyone! (at least for those that left once the season was over like me... lol)

The West is volatile. It wouldn't surprise me if we won fewer games than last year.

I'll say 60 wins and a trip to the Conference Finals, unless we can get an upgrade at SF.

Jeff Green should be available.

57-25 3rd in the West tied for 1st in Division

ESPN has been right on the money about the Clippers record for the last 2 seasons.

Obviously, seeding is still TBD.

Bastard I was looking for this thread after our game ended to see who was right

ESPN wins. Riverside 2nd

Huh. I was sure I predicted 58-24.

Wrong anyway.

Espn forecast scares me

That's crazy that ESPN got it right again. I honestly wasn't thinking 60 wins for this season but knew we could get more than 50. Maybe next year I'll give an exact prediction.