Preview: Los Angeles Clippers @ Pistons Revenge Game
Just only 11 days ago, both of these franchises, LA Clippers and Detroit Pistons, agreed to a blockbuster trade that revamped both rosters completely. Now, the two teams face each other.
The Los Angeles Clippers traded Blake Griffin for much-needed youth and flexibility for the team’s future. In return, LA received Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, and Tobias Harris who has such high potential. Harris is only 25 and a versatile wing man who has a lot of game. He is someone who the Clippers have been missing for years.
Despite moving Blake, the Clippers stood pat with DeAndre Jordan trade offers, however they still made moves after the Griffin trade.
They successfully extended Lou Williams contract with an amazing deal at three years for $24 million. Keeping Williams for only $8m each season is highway robbery, especially in today’s NBA economy. He only has a $1.5m option for his last year, but more importantly LA has a scoring machine who always generated interest around the league, year after year.
Lou Williams has always expressed interest in staying in LA and is showing he could not be any happier when he had this to say about his new contract. Per ESPN.
"It was nice for this organization to commit to me the same way I’ve committed to these guys this year, In years pasty, these scenarios don’t usually go my way. So it was nice for one to go my way and be somewhere I wanted to be.”"
Pistons
As for the Pistons, Griffin has made a huge impact on the team so far; since joining the Pistons they are on a current five game win streak. Detroit as a team were in panic mode, losing eight games in a row, before going 5-0 since the LA star was added, Griffin is averaging 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists with his new team
Clippers are on a mini win streak of their own, winning their only two games post Blake Griffin era. Both teams head into tonight’s matchup looking to build on to their current winning ways, and to stay undefeated since the big trade. Tonight’s game may seem like high stake for both teams, and revenge must be in their head.
"Obviously, I know all those guys really well, so i can’t say that it’s just another game. It’s a game where i really know that team. At the end of the day, we’re trying to get wins, they’re trying to get wins. I’m not really the type of guy to be all buddy-buddy during the game. It’s going to be a war."
According to Ansar Khan, Griffin also acknowledged that this game will not be motivated with as much revenge, opposed to his return to LA next season. Both teams will be a bit more comfortable playing in Detroit, not dealing with the emotions of tribute videos and returning the the same arena they spent almost eight years together.
Clippers ironically are looking forward to their start of this road trip, facing Detroit first in their most anticipated game in this four game road trip.
"I actually think it’s good we’re going on the road, We’ll find out a lot about ourselves. It gives us a change to kind of grow together,bond together. We have three days to prepare for it. So i think that’s all good for us."
Regardless of the result of the game, this is about the Clippers moving on from their old ways. Consecutively making the playoffs, building hope and losing it by an early playoff exit. Clippers have successfully created much needed cap space for the future, acquired a high first round draft pick in a very appealing 2017 draft class, and are still able to compete without completely tanking.
Next: DeAndre tweets on Jerry West's comments
LA has so much to look forward to in the future, from the lottery to free agency, and for years to come. While keeping and acquiring two-way players and focusing on a defensive unit, Clippers will stay competitive. Do not be surprised to see tonight’s game go down the wire. Viewers can expect many emotions to be showed on and off the court, as recent history has already shown us.