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Weighing the Clippers’ chances of making the playoffs

By Abhishek S

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 3: Tobias Harris
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 3: Tobias Harris /
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HONOLULU, HI – OCTOBER 4: Chuck the Condor reacts during the preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on October 4. 2017 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI – OCTOBER 4: Chuck the Condor reacts during the preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on October 4. 2017 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images) /

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

The past year has seen noteworthy roster modifications making the franchise less competitive currently, while augmenting their flexibility in the future. An unfortunate injury history in the prior season had seen the Clippers marginally miss out on the knockout phases. However, they could seize comfort from the fact that they’d accomplished a record of over .500 in the regular season after exchanging Chris Paul and Blake Griffin for significant, yet inferior assets. Doc Rivers had experienced his most substantial accomplishment as the Clippers Head Coach, nearly attaining a playoff berth with an injury-prone roster missing a household name.

Further, shrewd short-term free agency moves followed by the inclusion of Marcin Gortat to succeed the departing DeAndre Jordan issued them a starting caliber, stopgap center. The addition of forward Mike Scott furnishes them a feasible scoring threat off the bench, while The Prince, Luc Mbah A Moute will issue defensive prowess to the roster. Extending indispensable role-players in Montrezl Harrell and Avery Bradley on reasonable deals has aided the team in featuring a deep, well rounded roster.

While lacking a two-way star player, the Clippers compose specialists on both ends of the floor. Moreover, aspiring to institute a backcourt partnership for the future, guards Jerome Robinson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appear prepared to complement one another’s game. Comprising a set of talented individuals, the Clippers would offer a genuine threat as a fringe playoff contender. In case they fail to live up to their objectives, they could continue to enhance their team utilizing the Draft Lottery and Free Agency as a means.

PROBABLE STARTING 5: Patrick Beverley; Avery Bradley; Danilo Gallinari; Tobias Harris; Marcin Gortat.

PLAYOFF LIKELIHOOD: 6/10

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