Clippers could be 2nd to Warriors, Kevin Durant in West

The Los Angeles Clippers won’t look too different in 2016-17, but when they are healthy, they are still bringing back a team that could rise to second behind Kevin Durant’s Warriors in a shaken up Western Conference.

It was the 4th of July, 2016. A day the United States of America generally uses to celebrate independence, not be captivated by The Players’ Tribune article of an NBA player revealing his next career move. When the player in question is Kevin Durant, though, having more than enough historic ability to turn any franchise into a contender, that’s the case. As Oklahoma City was sent into a state of grief, even anger in the case of many, everyone from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Clippers would have been taken aback by the formation of the Golden State Warriors super team.

It’s a shock that can’t be taken lightly, despite being a career move that was completely justified to make. Durant had a chance to win more championships with the Warriors, to create a dynasty and a legacy as the most prolific offensive team ever. Multiple championships over the next five years couldn’t look like much more of a possibility.

Veterans are already calling the Warriors to put themselves forward for another ring on minimum contracts. Everyone will want to play for this team when all they need to do is support the most ridiculous starting lineup we’ve seen in some time. It’s the reason Zaza Pachulia just hopped onboard on a microscopic one-year, $2.9 million deal.

So, as much as Durant will cherish Oklahoma City and his continuing relationship with Russell Westbrook, such a move makes perfect sense when all he wants to do is win championships.

“Without you, we can win another title or two,” Warriors GM Bob Myers said to Durant in their pitch. “Without us, you might win, too. Together? We’ll win a bunch.” That’s what this comes down to.

Or, as the common expression goes, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”

Will we see 74-8? Let’s not get carried away. 70? That seems like a definite possibility.

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Regardless, the top tier of the Western Conference just changed an awful lot in one day. Beyond the moves the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers have made to improve in free agency, the upper echelon of the West changed with Durant’s decision alone.

It goes without saying that the Thunder just took a few major steps back. Armed with an even angrier Russell Westbrook and a team that’s still loaded with talent, especially after the Serge Ibaka trade to bring in Ersan Ilysova, lottery pick Domantas Sabonis, and partner Westbrook in the backcourt with Victor Oladipo, they still have a team that won’t be messed with. But with Durant’s remarkable scoring, small-ball four play and general talent out the picture, so too are their title chances.

Then comes the Spurs, who also felt the dominoes start to fall in San Antonio after Durant’s decision.

Mar 3, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Spurs defeated the Pelicans 94-86. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Shortly after the Warriors’ super team became official, word emerged that Tim Duncan is now leaning towards retirement. Even though we can’t know what caused the team’s iconic figure to lean that way and he was obviously considering it already beforehand, the thought of his team being run off the floor by the new best offensive lineup in history would have certainly crossed his mind.

Of course, the Spurs are the definition of longevity. Duncan himself is at the forefront of that, headlining their effort and constant contention, finishing in the top two of the Western Conference in five of the last six seasons alone.

It highlights their continued success at the latter years of their former Big 3’s career, but now with Duncan favoring retirement, Manu Ginobili being close at almost 39 years old, and Tony Parker not being the player he once was, there’s only so much Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge can do.

We saw the limitations of Leonard and Aldridge enduring the load as the only players who could be used to go create a basket in the playoffs against the Thunder, and as OKC’s defense attacked them and their offense maintained its pace, the Spurs simply looked old. Duncan finally looked ready to retire.

Acquiring Pau Gasol in free agency on a two-year, $30 million deal helps add a facilitator, pick-and-pop shooter for Parker and a new post scorer, but that’s where most of the positives end with Gasol. Plus, Boris Diaw, always a vital contributor with his offensive versatility and passing, will be on the move to create enough cap space.

While the Spurs may continue to look everlasting as they usually do, with 67 wins and a 1st place finish in defensive efficiency highlighting that last season, they are ageing now and it can’t be ignored.

Just think how the Clippers could match up against them in a playoff series now. Of course, stopping Aldridge is never an easy task and Leonard will be a terrorizing defender as always. Yet, on the other hand, Chris Paul already put on a masterclass against Parker in the 2014-15 playoffs, averaging 22.7 points on 51.3 percent shooting with 7.9 assists and the series game-winner. Even at 31, he’s the most clinical two-way point guard in the game and won’t struggle against a declining Parker.

Meanwhile, Blake Griffin‘s athleticism will wreak havoc against a cumbersome Gasol, and how will such an athletically inferior frontcourt handle Blake off the dribble or stop his and DeAndre Jordan‘s pick-and-roll game with Paul? Not without immense difficulty.

So, where do the Clippers fit into the equation of the top teams in the Western Conference now?

It’s easy to critique the offseason they’ve had so far. Landing Durant was always a long shot, their plan B small forward Jeff Green left, Cole Aldrich, who held their bench together down low, is heading to Minnesota, and besides those changes, the team will look almost the same. If Paul Pierce doesn’t retire, that’s truer still.

However, they’re still bringing back one of the best teams and top contenders in the NBA. As Griffin missed 45 games and his future in L.A. was questioned with injuries and the incident with Matias Testi, the Clippers still showed some resolve, came together under Paul, and rallied with elevated defense (4th in defensive efficiency after ranking 15th in 2015).

After missing Durant and not having the cap space to participate in the elevated market for new talent, bringing as many players back as possible was the next best option, even if it isn’t that exciting. With guys like Austin Rivers and Luc Mbah a Moute to continue the improved defense, a promising rookie addition in Brice Johnson, and the health of Griffin, the same-old small forward problem is troubling, but nothing new.

Apr 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers huddle during a break in the action in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

must read: Paul Pierce critical of Durant joining Warriors

There’s no denying the Clippers would be better off with more strength at the wing, but they still won 53 games without it last season. Once they add a center to complete the roster they’ll be in better shape, ideally combining the health of Griffin and more continuity than they’re used to in order to hit next season in the best shape possible after a cheap summer.

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Providing that all comes to fruition, the Clippers really can have the potential to become the second best team in this shaken up Western Conference. Even if that doesn’t pan out in the regular season seedings, they’re ready to match up incredibly well against their closest level of opposition, the Spurs.

Perhaps the Clippers reaching their first Conference Finals appearance in franchise history isn’t too outlandish in 2017.

But with that best-case-scenario possibility aside, what is it all really for? When Kevin Durant and the Warriors will be waiting in the Western Conference Finals, second place elimination is all you can hope for at this stage.

The spacing, shooting, and demand on a defense to glue themselves to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Durant and limit Draymond Green‘s facilitating should be almost impossible to maintain over the course of an entire 48 minutes, let alone an entire series.

Second place will be the Clippers’ limit as it will be for the Cavaliers in the Finals or anyone else. Thankfully for Lob City, that can still bring a sense of bitter-sweet achievement.