Clippers 2016-2017 Season Predictions

[og15]

Predictions are always a fun exercise, so I think it would be fun to do some:

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

7) Who, if any will get traded?

8) Other predictions...

[nickhx2]

1. 59
2. 2
3. luc
4. wcf
5. felton. i think speights is right behind him, though.
6. felton
7. don't see any trades but if i had to choose, maybe bass. i could also see a bass or anderson getting cut.
8. the team is gonna bring it all together and be really good. shut some of the dumb narratives up, too. also our bench defense is gonna be horrible and we're either gonna run up leads or get demolished. feast or famine, no in between.

[og15]

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

59 wins, they pass the 57 win barrier and the combination of offense they've shown in earlier seasons, and their now improved defense pushes them up

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

I'm going to go with 2nd, SA is a threat but I'll give them 57-58 wins

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

I'm still going to stick with Luc Mbah A Moute remaining as the starting SF. Alan Anderson might be able to break through in that he's able to combine a bit of Luc's more aggressive and consistent defensive ability while being a better shooter and closer to Johnson as a shooter, but Luc did a really great job last season. He might be a low minute starter, but I think he will hold on to the spot.

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

WCF, I think matchup wise this team can keep up with SA. SA will still have issues with the combination of athleticism but also IQ that Griffin and DJ have now come to represent. Whomever gets 2nd, I believe Clippers and SA are the two most likely teams to be 2nd and 3rd, and health permitting I believe they are both likely to beat their first round opponent which means they will be facing off in the 2nd round.

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

Paul Pierce will still not be very useful this season (but I hope he actually is)

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

I'm going to go with Raymond Felton. The thing I'm worried about is how he will get minutes, but if they can work it out, that bench unit needs someone who is better able to direct them as opposed to guys like Rivers and Crawford who have their own skills, but being the "PG" or directing the offense is not one of their skills. Brandon Bass would be second. Right now it does seem like Speights is ahead of Bass as the third big man, but I'm not confident in Speights ability to contribute defensively. Speights might prove me wrong, but if not, Bass might be a better option as the third big man and he's a guy that could be a real solid contributor.

7) Who, if any will get traded?

The trades I think will happen never happen. If anyone was to get traded, maybe it would be Anderson if they can't find any use for him. I don't really think the team will move anyone though.

8) Other predictions...

DJ makes the All-Star team, maybe the predicted 59 wins helps him to get in, but there's some good competition, so we'll see.

[mattd13]

this team's success centers on the health of blake and cp3. very fragile situation. I believe blake will rebound and have a great year. if jj can stay healthy and repeat last year it would be a big plus. then going into the playoffs will look good. the hole at sf is suspect but every team has a weakness so I think we can live and survive it. every starter has to be healthy at the end to make a run.

[Neddy]

Predictions are always a fun exercise, so I think it would be fun to do some:

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

7) Who, if any will get traded?

8) Other predictions...

1) 57...

2) #3

3) there is no such thing as a permanent starting SF for our Clippers. I think it will be a carousel once again with Luc, Wes, Alan and even Austin and Jamal. think of any name and throw it in there.

4) whenever one or two of our big 3 decides to get hurt. if that happens in 1st round, thats as far as we'll go. if that is the WCF, that is how far we'll go.

5) Jamal. negatively. very very negatively...

6) none. Doc will play lots of Jamal and Austin covering 1-2-3 and we'll all be singing "freeeeee Feeeeltoooooon" every game.

7) hopefully Jamal.

8) Austin sneaks into the starting role by mid season.

PS- hopefully doc proves me wrong and serves me a cold plate of crow.

[ejftw]

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

55, think we will have some injuries and Doc will start monitoring the minutes a bit more near the end of the campaign.

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

2

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

Prince Luc will start, but I can see Alan taking it ultimately. Don't believe we'll have a permanent starter but rather go off the hot hand/match-up. Can't see Wes getting many starts though.

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

Western Finals is the bar none.

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

Austin Rivers will be our positive surprise player. Even if it hasn't been huge amounts, he has improved every year, and I believe we'll see him be more focused on D this year while, hopefully, improving his 3 pointer.

Brandon Bass will be the negative surprise and will end up on the waiver wire/dealt for a Top 55 Prot 2nd.

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

I'm definitely going with Mo Speezy here.

7) Who, if any will get traded?

Brandon Bass will get traded for a Top 55 Prot 2nd.

8) Other predictions...

[og15]

Predictions are always a fun exercise, so I think it would be fun to do some:

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

7) Who, if any will get traded?

8) Other predictions...

1) 57...

2) #3

3) there is no such thing as a permanent starting SF for our Clippers. I think it will be a carousel once again with Luc, Wes, Alan and even Austin and Jamal. think of any name and throw it in there.

4) whenever one or two of our big 3 decides to get hurt. if that happens in 1st round, thats as far as we'll go. if that is the WCF, that is how far we'll go.

5) Jamal. negatively. very very negatively...

6) none. Doc will play lots of Jamal and Austin covering 1-2-3 and we'll all be singing "freeeeee Feeeeltoooooon" every game.

7) hopefully Jamal.

8) Austin sneaks into the starting role by mid season.

PS- hopefully doc proves me wrong and serves me a cold plate of crow.

Lol, and we all know it's not going to be DJ

[Neddy]

Predictions are always a fun exercise, so I think it would be fun to do some:

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

7) Who, if any will get traded?

8) Other predictions...

1) 57...

2) #3

3) there is no such thing as a permanent starting SF for our Clippers. I think it will be a carousel once again with Luc, Wes, Alan and even Austin and Jamal. think of any name and throw it in there.

4) whenever one or two of our big 3 decides to get hurt. if that happens in 1st round, thats as far as we'll go. if that is the WCF, that is how far we'll go.

5) Jamal. negatively. very very negatively...

6) none. Doc will play lots of Jamal and Austin covering 1-2-3 and we'll all be singing "freeeeee Feeeeltoooooon" every game.

7) hopefully Jamal.

8) Austin sneaks into the starting role by mid season.

PS- hopefully doc proves me wrong and serves me a cold plate of crow.

Lol, and we all know it's not going to be DJ

yep. DJ is an ironman.

I feel like Felton is not here to back up CP3 per se, but a backup for the playoffs in case CP breaks something else again. I do not want to see Jamal and Austin being our primary 1-2 off the bench and Jamal getting the lion's share of backup minutes just to chock in the playoffs. I am so over that now.

[MartinToVaught]

1) The usual 56 or 57 wins we've had with this core, assuming they stay relatively healthy.

2) Third seed at best. Contrary to popular opinion this offseason, the Spurs are still better than us and they aren't going anywhere.

3) Probably Luc, because of his defense and his veteran status.

4) We have a second-round ceiling until proven otherwise.

5) The only possible "surprises" on our team would be the rookies. If we had a coach who wasn't petrified of giving young players a chance, I'd pick Diamond Stone to emerge as the surprise player. He's so skilled, I really think he'd be a nightmare for opposing benches if he actually gets minutes. Unfortunately, Glenn will superglue him to the bench and refuse to give him a fair chance.

6) Brandon Bass. He's old and played for Doc's Celtics, which sadly guarantees him minutes all season regardless of how he plays. But he's a solid defender, which we needed after losing Aldrich.

7) At least one of the rookies will be traded for a washed-up vet - probably one who used to play for the mid-2000s Celtics or another Eastern Conference team back then - who doesn't move the needle, like always.

8) If we get off to a slow start this season, maybe, just maybe, Doc will finally start facing some criticism and pressure to keep his job.

[mkwest]

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?
58

2) What seed will the Clippers be?
2nd

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?
Mbah A Moute

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?
WCF Minimum (barring significant injuries)

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)
Austin Rivers

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?
Marreese Speights

7) Who, if any will get traded?
Brandon Bass

8) Other predictions...

1.) DeAndre finally makes an all-star team, but declines an invitation to the Dunk Contest
2.) JJ Redick & Jamal Crawford have switched to Adidas this season. This will open up more minutes than expected for the other guards on the team.

[DLaren]

I'm not predicting anything...but I'm expecting an MVP season out of Blake Griffin and a Western Conference Finals appearance for the Los Angeles Clippers.

[Ranma]

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[Neddy]

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as I have always said, we need Blake to take over the #1 title on this team. we have the best defensive center in the league, we have the best defensive PG in the league(and as the article states, historically superior PG overall), we have arguably the best, or top 3 pure shooters in this league. we also have a limited skilled but one of the elite defensive forwards in the league, especially at the cost he plays for us, maybe the most bang for the buck defensive ace. what we need is that one clear supestar to allow these great set of players to be his role players. DJ to be the anchor he already is, JJ to be the shooter he already is, for Luc to lock down/manage top flight forwards like Kawhi Lenards and Durants in this league, and CP to be the Robin to Blake's batmanhood. he cannot be given the role, Blake needs to earn that role by being the guy he was on the opening day, every day. 27-12-3 guy will get the job done.

[Neddy]

2.) JJ Redick & Jamal Crawford have switched to Adidas this season. This will open up more minutes than expected for the other guards on the team.

are you implying the Nike sponsorships do dictate players' playing time on our roster, and ultimately to the greater NBA? if so, I am very interested to hear about this. I live in Nike's home state and it is all about the Ducks football around here. I see actually more people who are OSU graduates to wear their gear but they sure are an afterthought in terms of media coverage even when the Ducks are clearly sucking this year.

[mkwest]

2.) JJ Redick & Jamal Crawford have switched to Adidas this season. This will open up more minutes than expected for the other guards on the team.

are you implying the Nike sponsorships do dictate players' playing time on our roster, and ultimately to the greater NBA? if so, I am very interested to hear about this. I live in Nike's home state and it is all about the Ducks football around here. I see actually more people who are OSU graduates to wear their gear but they sure are an afterthought in terms of media coverage even when the Ducks are clearly sucking this year.

I'm kidding more than anything. However, over the last few years, players that have worn Adidas have seemed to be more prone to injury. "It's gotta be the shoes"

[Neddy]

2.) JJ Redick & Jamal Crawford have switched to Adidas this season. This will open up more minutes than expected for the other guards on the team.

are you implying the Nike sponsorships do dictate players' playing time on our roster, and ultimately to the greater NBA? if so, I am very interested to hear about this. I live in Nike's home state and it is all about the Ducks football around here. I see actually more people who are OSU graduates to wear their gear but they sure are an afterthought in terms of media coverage even when the Ducks are clearly sucking this year.

I'm kidding more than anything. However, over the last few years, players that have worn Adidas have seemed to be more prone to injury. "It's gotta be the shoes"

got'cha. jinx more than conspiracy.

[Ranma]

1) How many games will the Clippers win this season?

58 but that's with optimism; we're more likely to go between 55 to 57 wins IMO.

2) What seed will the Clippers be?

2nd seed.

3) Who will end up being the Clippers permanent starter at SF?

I think Luc Richard Mbah a Moute will end up starting the most games for the regular season but I see Alan Anderson establishing himself as the so-called starter going into the postseason. However, if Mbah a Moute somehow incoporates a consistent 3-point shot into his game, he'll secure the starting SF job without question. He seems to be making a pronounced effort to shoot more 3's to start the season.

4) How far will the Clippers go in the post-season?

We finally make the Western Conference Finals and I hope we pull off the unexpected by beating the Warriors but I have to side with consensus opinion in thinking Golden State bests us in such a playoff matchup.

5) Who will be the surprise player for the Clippers? (positive or negative)

Austin Rivers is showing some signs of being more confident in his role as a combo guard where he's even playing SF in Doc's small-ball lineups. We know he has this internal drive to prove himself in the league and he does have elite quickness as a ball-handler with glimpses of being a capable playmaker and 3-point shooter. He's a dogged defender too, so I'll have to assume that he has a positive impact for us this year, otherwise, a reversion would obviously impact us negatively given Doc's insistence to play him regular minutes.

6) Which new addition will have the greatest impact?

Marreese Speights already looks like he will have the biggest impact on this team given his high-volume shot-taking. His offensive efficiency will largely determine whether that impact will be positive or negative. While he is noted as a defensive liability, he's showing that he can draw charges, so his positional defense may mitigate his shortcomings as a rim protector.

7) Who, if any will get traded?

If and when Doc finally comes to his senses (don't hold your breath), Pierce might actually get dealt to the Celtics in order for that organization and the Boston crowd to give him a proper send-off during the regular season. Otherwise, I can see Bass being dealt. Who knows? Maybe both Pierce and Bass get packaged together. Wishful thinking has me hoping for Jamal Crawford to finally be dealt for a useful wing player but that is doubtful to happen this season, if ever.

8) Other predictions...

• Blake Griffin gets back into the MVP discussion finishing in the top 3 of voting.
• The Clippers' bench will have a net positive rating for the regular season even if it is barely so. Even so, that could be huge given how much of an Achilles heel our bench has been for us over the years.
• DeAndre Jordan gets the nod to the All-Star game this season after outplaying DeMarcus Cousins for Team USA in the offseason.
• J.J. Redick will finally show up in the postseason given that he will be an unrestricted free agent.

[Ranma]

8) Other predictions...

• The Clippers' bench will have a net positive rating for the regular season even if it is barely so. Even so, that could be huge given how much of an Achilles heel our bench has been for us over the years.

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