Will the new-look Clippers contend in a crowded West?
Christmas Day games are always one of the highlights of the NBA season, but this year, they’ll mark the start of the season.
And what does this season hold? It’ll be hard to top last season, which was an extremely memorable one. The Miami Heat, with their newly-formed superstar trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh dominated the headlines going into the season and throughout the season, but in the end, it was Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks who got to celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as they outlasted the favored Heat in six games in the NBA Finals.
Along the way, the Chicago Bulls, led by MVP Derrick Rose, posted the league’s best record, a new star was born in L.A. in Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City improved upon a fantastic 2009/10 season by winning 55 games and advancing to the Western Conference finals, #8 seed Memphis stunned #1 seed San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs, and there was a blockbuster trade as Carmelo Anthony went from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks in late February.
However, this season could very well top last season, as there are several teams who could conceivably be championship contenders, star faces in new places, and a bevy of young stars who are getting better and better.
But of all of the things to look out for this season, the one at the top of many people’s lists right now is whether or not the revamped Los Angeles Clippers will emerge as a serious contender in a stacked West.
Given the Clippers’ history of, well, being the Clippers, it’s hard not to be a skeptic or still chuckle at the idea of the Clips being a legitimate contender for something other than a lottery pick. But though it might be premature to say that the balance of power has shifted in L.A. – because until further notice, the Lakers should be considered contenders – the Clippers have the potential to outclass their rivals this season and have a season that’s unforgettable for all of the right reasons for once.
The Clippers were going to be a fun team to watch this season, no matter what, with Griffin and co. using the force on many basketball hoops around the country. But with the addition of perhaps the league’s best point guard in Chris Paul, who they acquired from the New Orleans Hornets in a massive trade earlier this month, the Clippers are set to make some real noise in the W column for once.
They did have to give up a considerable amount to get Paul, in shooting guard Eric Gordon, fresh off of averaging 22.3 points per game in his third NBA season, a quality and experienced (but injury-prone) big man in Chris Kaman, and forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who was their first-round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. But to get the best, you have to make sacrifices, and those sacrifices will prove to be worth it.
And Paul wasn’t the only quality addition they made in the shortened off-season. They landed veteran guard and five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups off of waivers after the Knicks used their amnesty clause on him, and they also snagged forward Caron Butler, who penned a three-year, $24 million deal. Along with being able to chip in 15+ points per game, Billups will provide valuable leadership and knows what it’s like to play and win in the playoffs. And Butler, if he can stay healthy throughout the season (he’s never played more than 78 games in any of his previous NBA seasons), he will also make a big, big impact.
Also, perhaps a little lost in everything else that’s happened in a busy month for the Clippers is their retention of center DeAndre Jordan. Jordan signed an offer sheet with Golden State that was reportedly worth four years and $40+ million, but the Clippers matched the offer, and they’ll be glad they did. Jordan averaged a career-high 7.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game last season, but those numbers will rise this season. While Griffin is a destructive force in the middle, Jordan will be a disruptive one.
So, the Clippers definitely have a starting lineup that can play with and beat the best of the best, and they also will have some solid pieces coming off of the bench, including young point guard Eric Bledsoe, who was originally set to be part of the Paul trade but ultimately wasn’t dealt.
There’s no doubt that the Clippers can seriously contend this season, but will they? Oklahoma City might be the favorite in the West, the defending champion Mavericks can’t be dismissed, and neither can the Lakers and Spurs. But the West is certainly up for grabs, and if the Clippers click like they seem to be already, they’ll rack up the highlights, but more importantly, they’ll rack up the wins.