Doc Rivers says there’s no gap between LA Clippers, Warriors

Doc Rivers believes there’s no gap between his LA Clippers and Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors as contenders.

With the San Antonio Spurs ageing and their defense changing with new personnel (Pau Gasol, in particular) after the loss of Tim Duncan, there’s a good chance the LA Clippers could earn the 2nd seed in the Western Conference next season. There’s reason for fans to be confident. But members of the team have expressed even greater levels of confidence at NBA media day.

Of course, that’s what you’d expect. Players need confidence and are never going to be down on their own ability or that of their team. Just take Derrick Rose calling his New York Knicks a super team, for example. Quite frankly, it’s laughable. But that’s NBA level confidence (or foolish confidence) for you.

Paul Pierce joined in by saying the Clippers are one the league’s three super teams, although it’s at least more justified given their vastly superior potential in comparison to the Knicks. In addition to Pierce, Doc Rivers has said that he sees no gap between his Clippers and Kevin Durant‘s Golden State Warriors. As ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported:

"“I think we can play with anybody, and we don’t feel like there’s a gap,” Rivers said of the prospect of challenging the Warriors this season. “That’s all we have to prove, and I think everyone has to prove that.“I know history very well in this league, and there’s been a lot of superteams put together, quote-unquote, superteams, and I know the history. I feel comfortable where we’re at.”"

Doc didn’t expand on his comment regarding history, but it’s quite clear he didn’t hold back with the expected confidence and believes the Warriors aren’t unbeatable. Again, almost any coach of a contender would have to same the say, though his choice to say, “no gap”, makes it seem like the Clippers are right on the Warriors’ tail, if not on their level.

Clippers fans will appreciate Doc’s public optimism as they’ll be hoping to finally have a healthy playoff run and challenge a team like the Warriors at full strength. However, saying there’s no gap between the two is something that we just cannot agree with.

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Because, well, there’s a pretty extensive gap between the Warriors and everyone else right now. They aren’t just a run of the mill super team, either. They’re the first ever 73-9 team and added one of the best scorers in league history as a seamless fit to their play style and roster makeup.

When you take said 73-9 team, that could have easily won the NBA Finals for a second straight year if it wasn’t for LeBron James‘ historically amazing play, and essentially swap Andrew Bogut and the far-from-superstar Harrison Barnes for Durant, you’re pretty good.

You strike fear into the rest of the league when you form an actual super team headline by the foursome of Stephen Curry, Klay Thomspon, Durant and Draymond Green. Add in the likes of Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala off the bench and other sound bargain acquisitions like Zaza Pachulia and David West, and the Warriors easily have enough to look like hands down title favorites.

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Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the same cannot be said for the LA Clippers. Now, we just need to wait and see how far they can take the Warriors in a possible playoff series and if a really lucky break comes Doc’s way for a change. At the very least, they have a better shot than anyone else in the West.