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LA Clippers: 5 big questions for the 2016-17 NBA season

By Tom West

Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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After commanding wins against the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons, the LA Clippers (6-1) have started the 2016-17 NBA season strong. Here are five key questions to ask about the team going forward, from performance to the MVP race.

Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

We may be just seven games in the 2016-17 NBA season, but it’s safe to say the LA Clippers have surpassed expectations at this initial stage of their new campaign. Their offense hadn’t really taken off until the last couple games, yet they’ve still found a way to start with the second best record in the league at 6-1, tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder and just one loss behind the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

Defense has powered the Clippers forward. They’ve been smothering their opponents so far, fully locked in across the roster and playing with the kind of intensity, interior defense, and steal rate (3rd with 10.3 per game) to lead the league in defensive efficiency, allowing only 90.3 points per 100 possessions.

It’s been the staple of their performance so far, but after a 116-92 win against the San Antonio Spurs (their biggest win margin against the Spurs in franchise history) and a thoroughly overpowering 114-82 win against the Detroit Pistons on Monday, the offense has been clicking, too.

We’re going to look at more than that here, though.

Let’s dive into some big-picture questions, considering what may happen over the course of the season.

From whether Chris Paul or Blake Griffin can be crowned as MVP to the Clippers’ potential seed in the Western Conference, here are some key questions to think about this year. Starting with one of the most important additions to the bench.

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