How do you think we match up with them? I see ESPN picking Clippers as 2nd seed in the west and us 4th. Are the better than us currently do you think?
at least for the first 30-40 games they will be, and they'll probably be far enough ahead we dont catch up.
They have the most depth out of any team in the west. But, im still curious to see if Blake Griffin can take a step forward and really become a legit force at PF. Right now, I see him as a flash in the pan. Good for making highlight reels, but incapable of carrying the team on his back during critical moments of the game. If Griffin can prove to be a solid number two option, then I see no reason why the Clips can't be the best team in the west. They have all the other necessary pieces, and now they have a championship calibre coach as well.
The clips are still a few years ahead of us in terms of progression.. I don't see us hitting our full stride for another season or two. Also having a world class point guard is one of the biggest advantages in this guard orientated league which we obviously don't have
Chris Paul first season: 2005-06 78 games .430%FG .282%3PT .847%FT 5.1R 7.8A 16.1PTS Jeremy Lin first full season: 2012-13 82 games .441% FG .339%3PT .785%FT 3.0R 6.1A 13.4PTS Numbers are comparable, especially as Lin wasn't the first option or main ball handler. I can see a lot of growth in Lin's game, especially if he stays injury free. But would I trade Lin for Paul...in a heartbeat!
Yeah i have a great Feeling that Lin will have a great season nxt year!.. he just empty his mind and focus on the game
They have us beat in depth for sure. With a bench field with guys like Crawford, Barnes, and Collison, they'll b hard to beat. One of our main weaknesses is facing off against elite PG. Guys like Paul, Westbrook, and Parker will tear us up. No offense, Lin & Bev. However, their weakness lies in their big men, who are pushovers to be blunt. I expect Howard to outmuscle and dominate whoever they put on him. If they double team? Swing it outside for a 3. I think Motiejunas will b able to dazzle with his post moves, and Asik is like a brick wall here. And as far as I know, the Clippers have no real amazing wing defender. Who will contain Harden? Or Parsons? And our bench is full of perimeter defenders who can out hustle and pester their jump shooters. I think they are going to be the better regular season team, but I expect them to flake out early due to the lack of tough nosed big men and defenders.
Have I been misinformed? Beverley, Garcia, Brewer and, to a certain extent, Casspi are not capable defenders?
Chris Paul will never make the finals as the best player on a team. Elite PG are not that important to the success of a championship team unless you are Magic or Oscar who were "point forwards". Before someone mentions Tony Parker(I love Tony Parker), the spurs wouldn't have gone anywhere if Tim Duncan didn't decide to visit the fountain of youth.
Clippers are hyped up the hope for them is that Doc Rivers can add the needed discipline and cohesiveness needed by the team as a whole to take the next step. Clippers haven't been to the western conference finals but the league wants to put them at a higher seed as if they have actually done something in the past year we didn't do...
I don't see why the Clippers are better than San Antonio (who beat them by 2 games last year) or Memphis (with whom they were tied). Maybe they'll be better than us, but putting the Clippers at #2 ahead of San Antonio (especially) seems a little exuberant.
I agree; however, i do think the players they added from Phoenix improved their team a bit. I could see them as high as #3 this year, but subjugating San Antonio (who should be NBA champions right now) is foolish.
Clippers are deep, which means a great regular season record. Once the rotations shorten in the post season it might be a different story.
Remember the only game last year that Rockets won against the Clippers? We did that by using Greg Smith to completely punk Blake "Flop" Griffin. Now imagine a bigger stronger Dwight on Griffin. It would be a slaughter.
