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Fansided

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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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers and head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs have a laugh before the game on November 10, 2014 at STAPLES CENTER in Los Angeles, California. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Andrew Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers and head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs have a laugh before the game on November 10, 2014 at STAPLES CENTER in Los Angeles, California. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Andrew Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

The prototypical NBA franchise had markedly been affected by the Kawhi Leonard saga. In order to do away with the toxicity building within the team, they executed a passable trade inheriting professional scorer DeMar DeRozan, budding rim protector Jakob Poetl and a protected first round pick in exchange for The Claw and veteran 3 and D shooting guard Danny Green. Waning in crucial stages, the former Toronto guard would likely benefit from playing alongside fellow All Star LaMarcus Aldridge and featuring under the illustrious Greg Popovich. Furthermore, having coached plenty of big men to greatness in the past, Popovich has yet another prospect in his hands. Having exhibited his ability as an NBA-level rim protector, Poetl could develop into a multi-skilled center under the mentorship of the European Coach.

Further, bringing back key bench players in Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes, undervalued scorer Rudy Gay and acquiring guard Dante Cunningham on the veteran minimum, it would help upgrade the depth of their roster. The acquisition of Lonnie Walker from the draft bestows them a two-way, athletic guard with the potential to become an elite scorer and a switchable defender. Possessing a superior starting 5 in contrast to majority of the prior season, the San Antonio Spurs will aspire to attain home court advantage in addition to a playoff spot.

PROBABLE STARTING 5: Dejonte Murray; DeMar DeRozan; Rudy Gay; Lemarcus Aldridge; Paul Gasol

PLAYOFF LIKELIHOOD : 8/10

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