Jazzfan1971 and FloppyMoose's Season Preview - The Clippers
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 4:10 pm
Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Lineup
-------------------------------------
PG - Chris Paul, Jordan Farmar, Jared Cunningham
SG - J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox
SF - Matt Barnes, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Reggie Bullock
PF - Blake Griffin, Glen Davis, Hedo Turkoglu
C - DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Hawes, Ekpe Udoh
Trading Block: Like most teams at the top of the standings I don't see a lot of movement on the trade front for the Clips. I suppose if some way to upgrade the SF spot came along that was a win now move that the Clips would be interested.
Position Battle: Matt Barnes vs. Chris Douglas-Roberts. Barnes played well for the Clippers last year, but has looked like dogmeat in the preseason. If he can't return to his form from last year look for CDR to take his spot.
Mystery Man: I think it's obviously Blake Griffin. How far has he come? Is he a player you can put in the same league with LeBron and Durant? Maybe. His game has really expanded over the years. I think he's ready to take that final step to be able to lead his team to the finals. But, the true mystery to me is how Hedo Turkoglu is still pulling a paycheck in the NBA. He looked old and decrepit three years ago and I can't imagine he's any more spry now. I understand the value of having veterans on a team, but, this guy seems like nothing more than dead weight to me.
Floppymusings: Turmoil? What turmoil? The real story in Clipperland is that a tremendous team is intact for another year. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are both beasts and they are going to floppity floppity flop their way to a regular season #1 record with the help of a strong supporting cast in Jordan, Redick, Crawford, and Hawes. Coach Rivers is no slouch either. Just don't ask about the playoffs, because the story will be different there.
Jazzfanramblings: My question is can a team headlining Blake Griffin win a title?
I have my reservations. I've just been there and done that with the Stockton/Malone Jazz. You can be good. Great even. But, it's still very hard to win it all with a PF as your best player. Especially when the other conference boasts the best player in the league. (Not sure if I'm talking about Jordan or James right now)
So, unless something changes I've got the Clippers as the odds on favorites to come out of the West only to be dispatched by the Cavs in the Finals. And as long as LeBron is in the East and healthy and not a shell of his former self, I have trouble seeing that equation changing. In fact, I rather imagine that the Cavs would rather face the Clippers than the Spurs, Thunder, or even the Warriors.
So, it's a bit of a puzzle for the Clippers to figure out. How do they at the same time come out of the West and be prepared to face LeBron? Judging by their SF collection I think they have decided that the first priority is to worry about getting to the finals first and put off figuring out how to win once they are there for another day.
Projected Record: 57/25
Projected Lineup
-------------------------------------
PG - Chris Paul, Jordan Farmar, Jared Cunningham
SG - J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox
SF - Matt Barnes, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Reggie Bullock
PF - Blake Griffin, Glen Davis, Hedo Turkoglu
C - DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Hawes, Ekpe Udoh
Trading Block: Like most teams at the top of the standings I don't see a lot of movement on the trade front for the Clips. I suppose if some way to upgrade the SF spot came along that was a win now move that the Clips would be interested.
Position Battle: Matt Barnes vs. Chris Douglas-Roberts. Barnes played well for the Clippers last year, but has looked like dogmeat in the preseason. If he can't return to his form from last year look for CDR to take his spot.
Mystery Man: I think it's obviously Blake Griffin. How far has he come? Is he a player you can put in the same league with LeBron and Durant? Maybe. His game has really expanded over the years. I think he's ready to take that final step to be able to lead his team to the finals. But, the true mystery to me is how Hedo Turkoglu is still pulling a paycheck in the NBA. He looked old and decrepit three years ago and I can't imagine he's any more spry now. I understand the value of having veterans on a team, but, this guy seems like nothing more than dead weight to me.
Floppymusings: Turmoil? What turmoil? The real story in Clipperland is that a tremendous team is intact for another year. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are both beasts and they are going to floppity floppity flop their way to a regular season #1 record with the help of a strong supporting cast in Jordan, Redick, Crawford, and Hawes. Coach Rivers is no slouch either. Just don't ask about the playoffs, because the story will be different there.
Jazzfanramblings: My question is can a team headlining Blake Griffin win a title?
I have my reservations. I've just been there and done that with the Stockton/Malone Jazz. You can be good. Great even. But, it's still very hard to win it all with a PF as your best player. Especially when the other conference boasts the best player in the league. (Not sure if I'm talking about Jordan or James right now)
So, unless something changes I've got the Clippers as the odds on favorites to come out of the West only to be dispatched by the Cavs in the Finals. And as long as LeBron is in the East and healthy and not a shell of his former self, I have trouble seeing that equation changing. In fact, I rather imagine that the Cavs would rather face the Clippers than the Spurs, Thunder, or even the Warriors.
So, it's a bit of a puzzle for the Clippers to figure out. How do they at the same time come out of the West and be prepared to face LeBron? Judging by their SF collection I think they have decided that the first priority is to worry about getting to the finals first and put off figuring out how to win once they are there for another day.
Projected Record: 57/25
