With their win against the Sacramento Kings in the season finale the Los Angeles Clippers secured the 4th seed in the Western Conference. They also won the home-court advantage for their first round opponents, the Memphis Grizzlies.
This was the ideal way for LA to finish the regular season, the best in their franchise history. Everything is set right now for that success to continue to the postseason. The Clippers now have their whole roster – finally – available as the Playoffs begin.
Chauncey Billups recently returned to the lineup. With his experience he can be a great factor to complement the star duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and assist on making plays. Throughout the season Vinnie Del Negro’s team has shown that it has a perfect balance between the first unit and the reserves. Players like Jamal Crawford, Caron Butler and Matt Barnes can provide the veteran presence needed in any team when the ball gets heavier and every detail counts. This is another essential factor that could make the difference between a win and a loss in the Playoffs.
In the first round the Clips will face the Memphis Grizzlies. The two teams played against each other again in the first leg last year. That time the Grizzlies had the home court advantage but LA won the series. Also, they just recently beat Memphis during their latest regular season meeting, on the 13th of April. With this win the Clippers sealed the season series, 3-1.
Things now are a bit different from last year for both teams. First of all, the Grizzlies changed the core of their team with the movement of Rudy Gay. Especially the offense has shaken up after that trade. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph take now more load in scoring, supported by Conley.
Also, the Clippers look like a much more complete and mature team this season. They were dangerous last year. However, this season LA has proven to be lethal when they are able to reach their top level of performance and retaining their fast-paced offense. Chris Paul is having one of his most productive seasons of his career, not statistically but in the aspects of leading his team and making things easier for his teammates. His matchup against Mike Conley will be key for both teams and could turn the scale in one team’s favor. LA’s frontcourt will also have to play hard against Gasol and Randolph and limit their chances for easy hoops.
There’s no doubt that Clippers fans should be excited. Finally they have the chance to celebrate their first Division Title and see their team finish in the top 4 in the Western Conference. Also, this could be one of the few seasons in franchise history that there are vital chances for LA to win a Championship. Their Playoff course shall determine if they are deservedly considered as the bosses of the City of Angels or their success this season was circumstantial.
It would have been a blockbuster deal that could have put the Los Angeles Clippers in an immediate Championship position. Kevin Garnett’s movement from the Boston Celtics to the Los Angeles Clippers would have shaken up the entire league and would have changed the balances between the best teams. The thing is that this deal never happened.
KG expressed his loyalty to the Celtics numerous times. He stated that he lives green and that he will die green. There could have been no way the Clippers made this huge acquisition, or was there a chance?
According to many reports, Clippers’ superstar Chris Paul made a strong push for this trade to happen. He spoke to Garnett prior to the trade deadline and urged him to join forces with him and Blake Griffin at Los Angeles. His addition to the team would mean that the Clippers would have one of the best combinations of point-guard and frontcourt in the league. KG’s great mid and long range shot would set Griffin free and open lanes for his game close to the basket and the penetrations of several of his teammates. The Big Ticket has a great presence as a mental leader and would help lifting the entire team during crunch time and at crucial games against difficult opponents duringthe Playoffs. However, Garnett chose to remain with the Celtics and his loyalty means a lot to his team and all the fans at Boston, who saw their team been hit with serious injuries and player losses. Of course the no-trade clause that Garnett has on his contract played a huge role during this trade talk. He justified long before the trade deadline that the only case he would even think departing from Boston would be if Paul Pierce also left the team. Danny Ainge never made it happen.
The fact is that many of the teams that sit on the top seedsboth in the West and in the East were afraid of this deal to happen. Having three superstars in a roster with so many great role players and one of the best second units in the league would have made the Clippers really tough to take down. We might never really know how hard did the Celtics management team pushed for this trade and if Garnett was about to use his no-trade clause. However, if Ainge was really determined to start the rebuilding processin Boston, he would have sent also Paul Pierce to another team – Brooklyn was one of the possible destinations- and together with the exchanges for KG, the Celtics would have started forming a brand new team with potential.
Both teams now will have to look forward and continue fighting for a good run with their current roster. The Celtics are happy to have Garnett on their roster and the Clippers can be confident that with their current formation they are able to make this season the best of their franchise history.
It was another great experience for the spectators in Houston and all the fans watching a home. The 2013 All Star game has now come to an end and left the best memories behind. The Western All Stars shined during the game, with Durant and Chris Paul leading the way to a 138-143 win. The Oklahoma Thunder forward became the first player in history to score 30 points or more in three consecutive NBA All-Star games and Chris Paul, with 20 points and 15 assists won the MVP award. It was another great success for the superstar Clipper who is having one of the best seasons in his career and has put his name a strong candidate for the regular season MVP award.
The weekend started greatly with rising stars challenge when we saw a game that had nothing to be jealous of the All Star game. The fans had the chance to enjoy some great moments with devastating dunks and great performances from the future NBA stars. Terrence Ross won the Slam Dunk contest with some acrobatic moves and Kyrie Irving was named this year’s 3-point Champion.
For once again, this All-Star game it was a time for celebrations, having fun and enjoying basketball. It was also the time to see weird things happen, like Howard making threes and LeBron getting rejected twice by Kobe Bryant. We also saw some great dunks and alley hoops, most times uncontested because after all, it’s the All Star game. For the Eastern All-Stars, Carmelo Anthony finished with 26 points and Dwyane Wade with 21. LeBron had 19 but shot just 7-18 from the field, after shooting an almost unreal over 60% for his last 6 games before the game.
As usual, a ton of celebrities added more shine to the game. Chris Tucker, Drake, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and Jay-Z together with his wife and singer Beyoncé were amongst the spectators. Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo and John Legend all performed during the game to make the atmosphere even more enjoying for all the people watching. After the game’s first quarter former Houston star and 7 footer 6 center Yao Ming was honored.
The All Star break always gives a chance for relaxation and fun for the players and coaching staff. However, with the second half of the season started, the teams now will have to regroup and focus on their goals, because things tend to get tougher and more serious as we approach the playoffs.
Chris Michaels I live in Los Angeles, CA and work as an Chief Wisdom Officer
at Barry’s Ticket Servicewww.barrystickets.com.
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The star point guard Chris Paul is reportedly set to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. After rejecting the team’s extension contract worth almost $60 million for three last summer, sources around the situation say that Paul has a 99,5% chance to resign with the Clippers during this summer. The All Star guard most likely rejected this contract offer to sign a five year deal that the team is supposed to offer him this time.
Despite having lots of suitors that may seem to be interested for him when he becomes available, Chris Paul has really linked his name with the Clips. He has become a true leader for our team and has performed outstanding during his stay here. Apart from his numbers, which have been great, his presence is what makes the difference. He is a true commander when he steps into the court and he has the way to orchestrate his team and make his teammates better. Also, the bonding between him and the fellow star Blake Griffin is terrific as well as the general chemistry of the whole team is. Up to now, it has been the most successful season for the franchise in its history and it’s expected to become even better as we approach the playoffs. This might be a unique chance for us to chase a ring and Chris Paul has a great share on that success.
So in reality there is no good reason for him to think about leaving. He really has everything. A great team and also a great coach, a leading role in one of the best teams in the West, a chance to win a Championship and as predicted, a generous contract that will make sure he is happy salary-wise. He’s also enjoying to live in one of the top destinations for all athletes and celebrities in the United States.
Of course the team really needs him. Despite having the young and promiscuous Eric Bledsoe in the roster, the Clippers are expected to search for a trade for him because he has great market value. The player we could get in return for Bledsoe could mean that we would almost be unstoppable.
Paul’s importance to the team was made obvious during his recent injuries. The team lost 6 of the last 12 games with Paul sidelined. As a matter of fact, the 27-year old guard has all the potential to combine his name with one of the resurrection the Clippers. After his arrival the Clips have become a power in the West instead of just another weak team that happened to be in Los Angeles. Hopefully the deal is sealed and we will all enjoy more from Chris Paul and his magic.
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Kobe will record his 15th straight All Star appearance, all as a starter, while in the meantime he leads the votes overall for the third time in his career. This is well deserved by him despite for the Lakers being just 11th in the West. The 34-year veteran superstar is leading the league in scoring with 30 PPG and also is also shooting a career high 48% from the field this season.
Also at guard Chris Paul will make his appearance as a starter for the 4th time in his career, his sixth time generally as an all-star. Paul has been the leader of his team this season and has managed to change the whole picture of the Clippers together with Blake Griffin and the rest of the crew. He is averaging 17PPG and also almost 10 assists and he has provided some huge games for his team, lifting LA over tough opponents. His presence and his basketball IQ is what makes him so special, as he has the unique ability to make every teammate look better, a skill that only a few players in the entire NBA history possessed. Paul had a tough competition this season with Russel Westbrook for the starting point guard role, but managed to finish ahead from the Thunder’s star at votes.
At center we find Dwight Howard, his seventh straight All-Star appearance and his sixth as a starter. Although his team has not had a rather successful season till now, the monster center is putting huge numbers almost every game in rebounds and field goal percentage. He is averaging almost 18 points per game, 13 rebounds (first in the league) and 2.5 blocks. Even with some ups and downs in his performance, Howard is still considered to be one of the most, not to say the most complete players down the block and his starter role is well deserved.
Blake Griffin will also start for his 2nd time in an All-Star game, his third appearance overall. He is averaging 18 points on a 53% shooting from the field and also 8 rebounds per game. His has provided some huge games this season for the Clippers and also boosted the team’s 17-game winning streak that broke the franchise record. Apart from all the numbers and the stats, Griffin might be one of the strongest and most enjoying players to watch in the entire league, with all the dunks and alley-hoops his putting down.
Barry’s Ticket Service
1020 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90015
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A huge game is coming ahead for the LA Clippers next Tuesday, on January the 22nd . They host the Western Conference leading team (record-wise), the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be playoff-type game. In fact, these teams are the two favorites as the finalists on the Western Conference, so it will be no surprise to see Chis Paul, Blake Griffin and their company fight against Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook for a chance to compete for ring.
It will be the second meeting between these two teams. Last time, the Thunder managed to escape with a close win at overtime, 117-111, but can they repeat? Also, the biggest question most people might have is which team can actually dethrone the Miami Heat and win the championship this season. The Clips and the Thunder are the two best teams in the West and also have the two best records in the entire league respectively.
Chris Paul has really lifted up his game during the last weeks and he is getting the help he needs from almost every teammate. He has missed three consecutive games due to a bruised right kneecap, but he will be ready for this derby, even sooner. Griffin and Crawford have proven to be the main supporters for Paul, but in general, Coach Vinnie Del Negro has just too many weapons he can use with effectiveness. Can the Thunder last and prove that they have matured enough to win a championship, after last year’s demolition in the finals by the Heat?
Well, this game will answer a lot of such questions regarding the top teams in the West and will show which one is more ready and complete. Apart from the ranking boost the winner may get, the momentum gained will most probably be the number one factor coming into this game. Both teams need this win. It is predicted to be a spectacular game with lots of tension and some great performances, with so much star power on court.
Staples Center will be rocking for this one of the Clippers biggest home games of the season.
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Chris Paul is currently leading the race to the 2013 season MVP title and it’s no surprise. It’s not only about the stats and the scores he provides. It’s bigger. It’s about the impact he had and continues to have in the Clippers organization. It’s about him providing solutions each night and playing like an on-court coach, making his teammates better. Team success comes through individual effort and each member of the Clippers team knows that well. This great performance and the winning record our team has, exposes Paul’s impact even further. Let’s take a look at what he has achieved up to now this season.
Number wise, the five-time all-star point guard has had an excellent season, averaging almost 17 PPG, 9.7 assists and 2.6 steals. In fact he ranks first in the league in steals and trails only Rajon Rondo in assists. He is the only player in the entire league to average at least 15 points, nine assists and two steals per game. His numbers went up during the historic 17-game winning streak of LA, but even after that he continued to deliver huge games. In fact he dished a season-high 16 assist during last week’s win against the Mavs.
But believe me his value goes well beyond just numbers and stats. Some things in basketball can’t be counted by numbers, but those who watch and know about fundamentals, can understand the difference between a good player and a great player. Paul is surely one great player. The way he sets up his team, making plays for his teammates and easing up things for the rest of his team is a unique charisma that only a few players in the entire NBA possess. His Basketball IQ and his awareness on offense and on D is what complete the picture of a true superstar and team leader. Most of his teammates express their admiration to Paul’s performance and presence on the court. Some even compare him to Jason Kidd during his legendary days.
One thing is for certain. The LA Clippers are not the joke they used to be, even after the acquisition of Blake Griffin. Our entire organization has done a terrific job and our team has all the potential to drive us to the NBA finals and even perhaps celebrate our first Championship. Things might go even better and Chris Paul is the one who can lead us all the way to the top. He well deserves the MVP award, judging from his up to now performance and impact to our team.
Once again the Clips showed their teeth and won easily on the road by double digits to record their 13th straight win and the six consecutive on the road. They have already broken their all-time winning record with their last win against the Sacramento Kings. “We hear it all but we’re about just getting these wins and if they come within a streak or when we haven’t won somewhere, that’s fine.” said star forward Blake Griffin after the game. He led all scorers with 23 and some monster dunks during the game. He also grabbed 11 rebounds and made once again clear that he is capable to retain his all-star level gameplay and help his team reach its goals this season. He was successful on 7 of his 11 attempts from the field and also hit a 3-pointer in his 32-minute performance. For yet another time, Clippers Head coach did a great job distributing minutes effectively between the starters and the bench. “I thought our starters did a good job in the first quarter and then our second quarter, we jumped on them” , commented Clippers Coach Vinnie Del Negro.
Chris Paul also had a great game with 17 points and 13 assists. The usual suspects off the bench, Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes contributed as well as they normally do combining for 37 points. The team shot an overall 55.2% from three point range, 11-21 and also made 38 shots from the field in 71 attempts, 53.5%, while holding their opponents to just 36.3% and a disappointing 3-17 from beyond the arc. Although the Suns had a good start and were up 14-12, two made shots from downtown from Caron Butler boosted the score to 50-69 for the Clips but they didn’t stop there and continued to make it a 31 point game, 60-91 in the end of the third period.
It was a rather non-flattering performance for the Suns, who were left wide open on defense in many times and turned the ball over allowing their opponents to score easy baskets. Jared Dudley had a team-high 19 points and Luis Scola finished with 11, while the rest of the team ended up in single digits. The Suns tied their season low in points scored. Head Coach Alvin Gentry was ejected with 2:33 left in the first half, after receiving two consecutive technical fouls. Six technical fouls were issued to both teams during the first three quarters.
Phoenix played without their star forward Michael Beasly and knew even before the game that this one would be tough for them. The Clippers are still playing without Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill, who both are sidelined with injuries. During their winning streak, they have won by an average of 13 points, four of them are with a 20+ points difference.
The Clippers play in front of their home crowd at Christmas against the Nuggets and then face the Boston Celtics at the Staples Center on Thursday. Last two games of the year are against the Utah Jazz, first one away and the last one, Sunday December 30th at Staples Center. Phoenix plays home on Wednesday night against the Knicks.
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The Los Angeles Clippers have been hot like fire the last couple of weeks. They are in a 10-game winning streak, the longest for the team since the franchise move to LA and need one more game to tie the 11 wins in a row that the team achieved back in 1974 as the Buffalo Braves. The truth is that it should be no surprise that the team plays in such a good rhythm and wins games. After all the beginning of the season was spectacular for them going 8-2. But what has really changed this season and the team seems to play with such confidence and energy, comparing to last season and the years before?
Well, the team is surely more bonded this year and many of the players have individually improved greatly since then. Both offensively and on defense, every player that’s one the floor is putting up his best performance. We’ve seen an amazing season up to now from Matt Barnes. He’s most probably undervalued due to the lack of big numbers in the stats board. However, his great hustle and the energy he brings to the floor make him a valuable piece off the bench for the Clippers. He has proven to be another positive surprise for Vinnie Del Negro up to this point of the season. Eric Bledsoe has also picked up his game since last season. In fact he continues his great playoff appearances from last year, cutting down turnovers and having a great impact on scoring. Maybe the biggest surprise is DeAndre Jordan who has become a top defensive player and also contributes on offense with some terrific post moves we’ve seen. The future for the 24-year old center is subjected to be bright for him if he stays healthy and having in mind the lack of true centers in the league. His fit alongside Blake Griffin seems to work perfectly for the Clippers up to now and in fact each one almost completes the others game. Griffin has finally found his beastly-self playing like a true superstar and not as another underrated highflyer, as many opponent fans noticed during the losses of the team. Of course Chris Paul’s contribution is another great factor for the Clippers’ winning run. With 16 PPG, 9.3 assists and 2.3 steals he seems rather comfortable with his game, ready to hit the clutch shot and lead his team on the top of the western conference.
There also seems to be another great factor that helps LA win games. That is the contribution of the bench. It may sound a matter of minor importance but in fact it is the bench that locked many of the wins for the team and not only that. It’s vital for Vinnie Del Negro and every coach to know that he can trust his role players every time he has to rest the starters. In fact the Clippers’ bench is surely over delivering. Two of the top 5 scorers of the team are reserves and in fact Jamaal Crawford is second with 16.5 PPG.
Generally, this great winning streak the Clippers are in, is the combination of terrific individual efforts and improvements from most of the players of the roster and the simple yet effective tactics that Coach Vinnie Del Negro has put up. He just gives the freedom to his point guards to serve dishes and easy baskets to their teammates and create open looks for themselves, too. It has worked pretty well for the Clippers team up to now. Let’s see if they can continue to put the numbers they are doing right now and get on winning more games.
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