Clippers need Western Conference Finals more than ever

After going through soul-crushing defeats in the playoffs over the last few years, the Los Angeles Clippers desperately need a Western Conference Finals appearance for both themselves and the fans.

This is an important Spring for Los Angeles Clippers fans. 2016 marks the fifth time the Chris Paul and Blake Griffin led Clippers, affectionately referred to as Lob City, enter the playoffs. So far this team hasn’t managed to make it out of the second round despite being a perennial 50+ win team, and displaying some brilliant first round performances. Not only have the Clippers not made it out of the second round, they have fallen short in heart breaking fashion.

As Clipper fans know, 2014 and 2015’s playoff eliminations both came after the team came tantalizingly close to securing a Western Conference Finals appearance. Now, let us take an uncomfortable trip down memory lane sure to trigger fans.

In 2014, the Clippers eliminated the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic series which was at times overshadowed by the leaking of a racist tirade by team owner Donald Sterling. In round two, the Clippers were matched up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and after four games the series was tied at 2-2, setting up a pivotal Game 5 on the road for the Clippers. With 49 seconds to go, Paul hit a 17-foot jumper to put LAC up 94-87, silencing Chesapeake Energy Arena. Clippers fans let out a collective sigh of relief as it seemed they would be going back to L.A. with a 3-2 lead to close out the series.

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What followed was a disastrous attempt to close out a game — a misplay by Paul, a questionable foul call, an OKC victory, and an eventual 2-4 series loss for the Clippers.

In the first round of 2015, the Clippers eliminated the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in seven games off of a CP3 game winner. The Clippers advanced to face the second seeded Houston Rockets, storming out to a 3-1 lead while still being up 3-2 going into Game 6, and then held a commanding 17-point lead in the closing minute of the third quarter. Yet again, Clipper fans let out a collective sigh of relief as it seemed DeAndre Jordan, Griffin, Jamal Crawford, and CP3’s ticket to their first Conference Final was practically punched.

What followed was a historic playoff comeback featuring Josh Smith canning threes like Dirk Nowitzki, a fourth quarter where LAC was outscored 40-15, and a 12-point Houston win. After Houston defied all odds in Game 6, the Clippers’ Game 7 elimination felt like a mere formality.

Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) stand next to each other during a Trail Blazers /

This brings us back to 2016, a year where the Clippers’ first round matchup is a far cry from 2015’s toe-to-toe bloodbath with the Spurs or 2014’s equally taxing matchup with the soon-to-be-historic Warriors.

Instead of facing the previous or future champions, the Clippers are facing a young upstart team in the Portland Trail Blazers. While the Blazers should not be taken lightly, this is objectively the easiest first round matchup Lob City has ever had. All three of their playoff wins have come from seven-game series, meaning this year is an opportunity to break that trend and make an early advance to the second round.

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Despite an easier first round, this year’s bracket seemingly offers no better hopes for a Western Conference Finals appearance, as the Clippers have to go through the frustratingly great Warriors in the Conference Semis. Many NBA fans and analysts have accepted the Clippers’ second round elimination as a bygone conclusion, but the Clippers faithful know this team can win.

Clipper fans remember the 2014 series, the team uniting in solidarity despite their toxic owner, Jordan owning the glass, Blake’s circus shot and-one, and a team that refused to lose in Game 7. They’re the last team to beat the Warriors in the playoffs, but the 2016 Warriors are very different from the 2014 version.

Clippers fans remember a regular season matchup this November where LAC held a 10-point fourth quarter lead with five minutes to go before a miraculous Golden State comeback. Clippers fans remember Golden State narrowly winning by three points this February despite Griffin being sidelined with injury. Clipper fans know that the core has been together for a long time, developed some invaluable defense and chemistry, and matured into a veteran unit with one goal: winning.

Next: How did the Clippers lose Game 3 to the Blazers?

After 2014 and 2015’s soul crushing defeats, this fanbase is just as hungry for success as the team, and neither party will be content with anything less than a Western Conference Finals appearance.

73-9 be damned, this is the Clippers’ time.

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