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With Blake Griffin out, LA Clippers need to step up more than ever

By Andrew Miller

Dec 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Clippers stand for the National Anthem prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Clippers stand for the National Anthem prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris for MVP and DeAndre the All-Star?

DeAndre Jordan was named to the All-NBA First Team last season, along with Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, all of whom were starters on their respective All-Star teams in Toronto. But for his whole career, and understandably so for the most part, the All-Star title has eluded DJ.

The Clippers haven’t been a top two seed, and it therefore becomes very hard to justify three players being voted in, with Chris Paul and Blake being the obvious choices to represent L.A. in the past. But this season could be Jordan’s very best chance at finally taking the next step to stardom, while his scoring output should once again rise in Griffins’ absence, and his stellar contributions on the defensive end speak for themselves.

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Chris Paul on the other hand, continues to make his case for MVP consideration by putting up historical numbers and affecting the game in a way that no other player in the league can. Without his All-Star running mate in Griffin, it falls on Paul more than anyone to ensure the Clippers can, at the very least, tread water until his return.

The “Point God” has been faultlessly efficient in his scoring this year, and with Felton and Rivers playing their part defensively, Paul can take some of his focus and effort from that side of the court and put it towards scoring the ball (the James Harden effect), especially in close-game situations.

The injury news doesn’t come as a huge surprise for some LA Clippers fans. Blake Griffin just hasn’t looked himself recently. The numbers are still there, but his leaping ability and pace getting back up the court and shifting around on defense have been noticeably depleted.

Next: The impact of Blake's injury on Doc's rotations

Although losing a player of this calibre to injury is what NBA teams fear most, the one thing to keep in mind, is that there are still several months left before the playoffs start, which means hopefully by that time, he’ll be 100 percent ready to go.

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