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Doc Rivers is Right to Believe the LA Clippers Got Better in Offseason

By Garrett Chorpenning

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 06: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on February 6, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 06: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on February 6, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 12: NBA Hall of Famer and current executive board member of the Golden State Warriors Jerry West watches action during Day Two of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 12: NBA Hall of Famer and current executive board member of the Golden State Warriors Jerry West watches action during Day Two of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Jerry West and Chris Paul

Mr. West officially entered the building on June 19th. At the time, the LA Clippers roster was devoid of any real assets or potential. Everyone was either a proven star, an experiment, or a has-been (looking at you, Truth). We had DeAndre Jordan, who was never in trade talks, and we had Jamal Crawford, who seemingly no one wanted. A lot of the blame for this has been placed and Rivers, and rightfully so. The low number of future draft picks meant that there was no young future. The low number of assets that could be traded meant that we were stuck with what we had. And by having three “superstars” (four if you include Austin) on the team, it made cap space tight.

Unfortunately for our Clippers, the roster we were stuck with simply wasn’t enough in this era of basketball. Time after time, the trio of Paul, Griffin, and Jordan failed to reach the peak. And while injuries were the downfall more often than not, there’s no guarantees that LA would’ve had any success following said collapses. Clearly, it was time for a change.

Enter Jerry West.

The acquisition seemed to immediately change the Clippers’ fortunes. There was a growing sense of optimism surrounding the organization and the fanbase. People just got excited. They knew that better times were on their way for the LA Clippers.

It all began when Paul was dealt to Houston. In return, the Clippers acquired a grand total of seven players and a 1st round draft pick. One of those seven, Darrun Hilliard, was immediately waived. However, the remaining group of Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, DeAndre Liggins, and Kyle Wiltjer all appear likely to find some place on the Clippers roster. Whether that’s on the newly-formed Agua Caliente Clippers or the LA Clippers remains unknown.

So who are these new players, and are any of them worth losing Chris over?

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