Clippers hold early best record in the West and the league

They will fall back to the field

 

Clippers seem to always start strong and people put them as contenders and then one of Blake / Cp3 go out with an injury and everything falls apart

 

surprising like golden state was 2 years ago. If they don't get it done this year, probably blow it up.

 

I don't know. This core has been together for a long time. They also found a way to choke (and/or injured) in the playoffs.

 

They'll flop when it matters most.

 

This year it feels different. Luc may have finally blossomed into the SF they needed

 

Product of roster/coaching continuity. The ceiling is still the same if not lower (aging Paul).

 

Their away-game, 24pt dismantling of SAS was fun to watch.

 

they're one equipment manager punch away from knocking themselves out of contention.

 

Clippers are All-In, because they know this is the final chance for this specific group. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick will all become Free Agents in summer and probably a big trade would've happened if there weren't realistic chances to compete for the Championship. Everybody also knows they'll pretty sure lose Paul or Blake or even both if they're not making it at least to the Conference Finals.

 

Won't be first if they keep bumping heads with each other though

 

Like a few others have already stated, this current Clippers team have been together for at least 4-5+ years. It's no wonder they're able to have a strong regular season record, especially after that embarrassing loss to the GSW. It's their inability to function when their key players go down and the lack of depth to continue a good playoff result.

Sure this can be said about any team but as Chris Paul gets older and gets more injured, they're going to need to start drafting for the future instead of continuing to stay in the "win now" mentality. Don't get me wrong, Blake Griffin is a pretty good complimentary star player next to Paul, then you have Jordan who excels at his role, a hit or miss with Redick, and an older Crawford. Past those players you don't have much else to build on or off, I have a feeling Rivers is trying his best to give his son (who's a decent player in his own right, he just needs to specialize in skills into something... not quite the best or great at anything after being in the league for a few years) a shot at running this team once Paul isn't here anymore. That could ultimately be his downfall, but we'll see. I'm not too concerned about it right now,

 

Aging and regressing Chris Paul is putting up career HIGHS in
3pt%
steals,
rebounds,
FT%,
Low turnovers,

Advanced stats, has highs in effective FG%, points per-36. And get this, leads LEAGUE in BOTH Offensive AND DEFENSIVE rating. And playing career LESS minutes, which only helps keep him fresh

CP3 is LOCKED in. Though he has more top tier teammates than Harden, he's my MVP pick so far

 

I feel like they would do a mid season trade to get rudy gay but it would just f everything up like when the mavs traded for rajion rondo

 

Through 11 games, Clippers are playing like the 2nd best team in the NBA behind Cavs.

 

Schedule has even cake so far

 

Consider it their last year together if they don't at least make noise in the WCF. Even that might not be enough. They are making noise early on, best record at 10-1 with the best defense in the L. Their starting 5 and backups hold the 1st and 2nd best defensive rating.

I want them to succeed, but pray they fail as a Rockets fan. Blake and CP3 opt out and we have a chance at signing one of them. I'm not sure if CP3 wants to join since we already have PG Harden, but Blake might. He is the perfect Amare for this offense. Harden is a proven 4th quarter specialist, more clutch than Nash. I would consider Reddick if we didn't already have Gordon. Plus, Reddick is gonna get the max.

 

Blake Griffin is good but is way too injury prone. Dude can't play an entire season in one piece.