LA Clippers’ Competition: Ranking Pacific Division for 2016-17
By Tom West
2nd place – LA Clippers
2015-16 record: 53-29 (2nd place in Pacific Division)
2016-17 prediction: 57-25
It’s time to talk about the LA Clippers. As you’d have expected, unless you’re an incredibly optimistic fan, they come in at 2nd here, thanks to the misfortunate of playing with the Warriors in the Pacific Division.
After winning 53 games while having Blake Griffin for just 35 in the regular season, the Clippers’ 2015-16 campaign was impressive. It would have been even more impressive, right up until their window following Stephen Curry’s MCL injury in the playoffs was struck down by their own abysmal luck.
If Chris Paul and Griffin weren’t ruled out with season-ending injuries within minutes of one another in Game 4 of the first round against Portland, last season may have been the first time in LA Clippers history that they made it to the Conference Finals.
But we can’t know that now. It’s all irrelevant and it’s hard to judge their success last season due to such major injuries throughout the year. However, now that Griffin is returning to full health over the summer, he’s set for a major comeback season. If Doc Rivers entrusts him with more responsibility as a facilitator and he center of the offense outside of Paul more often, Griffin could be even better.
If that’s the case, the Clippers winning 57 games should be relatively easy. There’s a genuine chance of reaching 60 wins, given the (ideal) health and roster continuity they’ve experienced heading into October.
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With Griffin returning to a team that rose from 15th in defensive efficiency in 2015 to 4th in 2016, still highlighted by an elite starting lineup and a reasonable bench, a rise to the West’s 2nd seed isn’t out of question. The San Antonio Spurs’ interior defense has taken a major hit after the loss of Tim Duncan and the signings of Pau Gasol and David Lee, and they won’t be quite as formidable in that regard next season. This can only give the Clippers a slight advantage to try and edge past.
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The Clippers’ roster is largely the same. After missing out on Kevin Durant in free agency, it was Doc’s only feasible choice. Signing Brandon Bass, Raymond Felton, Alan Anderson and Marreese Speights all give the team the kind of solid depth and talent that may not have been expected by fans, in particular the addition of Felton and Speights on minimum deals.
That being said, while such players help, the glaring question of the second unit’s rim protection remains. After losing the stellar backup defense of Cole Aldrich, Speights’ floor spacing and three-point shot is needed more than ever to compensate for his inferior defense.
How such an exchange of defense for offense balances out is yet to be seen.
Of course, the Clippers won’t be coming first in the Pacific Division, providing the Warriors stay healthy. Here’s why…
Next: 1st place - Kevin Durant's Warriors