Tag Archives: Chris Paul

Emerging powers in NBA’s Wild Wild West

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clippers, damian lillard, Golden State Warriors, Lob City, nba, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Rip City, Stephen Curry, Western ConferenceChris Michaels

NBA WEST

The Western Conference has been the more powerful of the two in the NBA for several years now. This current season is no exception. Apart from the powerhouses, which were expected to dominate and they eventually did, we also saw several underdogs making their presence felt. The San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are considered as the three elite teams in the West but the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors are also powerhouses, emerging ones. In fact, we could even say that the Los Angeles Clippers are an emerging powerhouse, given that it’s been just a couple of seasons since Lob City has made it to the top. Let’s examine each emerging power in the West.

Golden State Warriors

WARRIORS

The Warriors are definitely an emerging powerhouse. Although the Dubs experienced several ups and downs this season, they also showed their potential. The Warriors entered the 2013-2014 campaign as one of the strongest championship contenders in the Western Conference and the truth is that it took them a while to showcase their abilities. Playing without their starting center, Andrew Bogut, the Dubs did manage to drag their first round series against the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games. They eventually fell to Lob City but the future seems to be bright for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee, Andre Iguodala and the rest of the crew. Every core member of the team is under contract for at least one more season.

Portland Trail Blazers

BLAZERS

Rip City made it to the second round of the playoffs this year and but it also managed to made its presence felt across the NBA world. The Blazers have now found their new face of the franchise, in Damian Lillard. The second-year point guard as already reached a superstar level and although he is just 23, he seems to be ready to make it to the list of the elite point guards in the NBA, together with Chris Paul, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook. On top of that, LaMarcus Aldridge has managed to revamp his career and although he had some cold streaks during the playoffs, he seems to be capable of being the second star pillar, alongside Lillard. Nicolas Batum is the third member of Rip City’s Big Three and things in Portland now look better than ever in the recent history of the team. Look for the Blazers to continue emerging in the seasons to come.

Los Angeles Clippers

CLIPPERS

Forget about the Lakers. The next big thing in LA is the team called “Los Angeles Clippers”, also known as Lob City. The Clips possess every single element a true powerhouse, an elite team needs to have. They’ve got two megastars, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, an emerging star, in DeAndre Jordan, the best sixth man in the NBA, in Jamal Crawford and also one of handful of guru coaches in the league, Doc Rivers. The Clippers have already emerged as a powerhouse in the West but they are continuing their upward course. If they don’t win the NBA Championship this year they will certainly have the chance to do so in the seasons to come. Chris M.

Clippers Steal The Thunder

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clippers, Jamal Crawford, JJ Redick, Kevin Durant, Matt Barnes, nba, NBA Playoffs, OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook, Western ConferenceChris Michaels

CP3

One of the big storylines heading into game one of the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder second round series was the two point guards, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook, even after dealing with a knee injury for the better part of a year, is one of the most athletically gifted point guards in the NBA. Paul, the consummate veteran, had a solid opening round series against the Golden State Warriors, but has had to deal with a strained hamstring during the postseason. While many wondered how Paul would fare against an athletic Oklahoma City team, many pointed out how Paul always seems to step up big when challenged.

Boy, were they right.

CP3

Behind one of the greatest performances of his career the Clippers traveled to Oklahoma City and blew out the Thunder in the opening game of their second round playoff series behind a virtuoso performance from Chris Paul. Paul scored 32 points in just 28 minutes of play, shooting 12 of 14 from the field and 8 of 9 from behind the three point line. He also notched ten assists while just turning the ball over two times. Paul made six three-pointers in the first half as the Clippers jumped out to a massive 17 point halftime lead on the way to a 122-105 victory.

Overall the Clippers shot 55% from the field with five total players in double figures. Blake Griffin scored 23 points to go along with 5 boards and 5 assists, while Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes and JJ Redick also hit double figures. Los Angeles had 26 assists and just 8 turnovers. It was a perfect start to game one and a message to the Thunder and the rest of the NBA that the Clippers are ready for a long playoff push.

BLAKE

For Oklahoma City the story was again their lack of balance offensively. As this year’s postseason has evolved, the Thunder has become one-sided to a fault, relying solely on the combination of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Other than a couple of big performances from Reggie Jackson in the Grizzlies series, the Thunder has become the ultimate example of a two man team. After three quarters on Monday night the Clippers led the Thunder by a score of 104-78. Of the 78 Thunder point the combination of Durant and Westbrook scored 54. This deficit included a 22-7 Clippers lead in bench scoring.

Victory in hand the Clippers have a massive opportunity to send the series back to STAPLES Center with a commanding 2-0 lead. They’ll face a desperate Thunder team hoping not to fall behind in the second round like they did in the first round. The Clippers will start game two with a tremendous amount of confidence due to the sheer size of the blowout. Game two is Wednesday night at 6:30 Pacific.

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BY: Chris M.

Blake Griffin the Key to the LA Clippers Playoffs Success

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clipper Nation, Clippers, Lob City, NBA PlayoffsChris Michaels

BLAKE

There are two superstars in Lob City, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Both of them have a huge impact in the way the team plays and their performance usually is a key to the team’s successful results, in most of the game. Of course, the Clips have a bunch of quality role players who greatly support the superstar duo. Nonetheless, LA needs at least one of them to lead the way night in and night out. So is Blake Griffin or Chris Paul more important to the Clippers and who will be more important for the team during the 2014 NBA Playoffs?

First of all, they are both essential pieces of Doc Rivers’s puzzle. Each one does a great job contributing on his sector. However, I can fairly now say, after two games into the postseason that the performance of Blake Griffin plays a bigger factor to the outcome of the game for the Clips rather than Paul’s output.

BLAKE & CHRIS

Don’t get me wrong here. I don’t mean to say that Griffin is a better player than Paul. On the contrary, they can be characterized as stars of almost identical quality. What I can say, though, is that Paul will do his job one way or another. Even when he has off – nights, shooting badly from the floor, he will contribute in other ways. CP3 always sets up the team, on both ends of the floor and orchestrate the offensive plays. Even during the nights that he’ll finish in single digits in scoring, he will most probably dish out a bunch of assists, make some crucial defensive plays and in overall help his teammates perform better. In a way, the Clips can always rest assured that they’ll get at least something from Paul.

On the other hand, when Blake Griffin is off, the Clippers transform from a dominant, almost unstoppable team to just a good one. That’s what we saw happening in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors and also several times during the regular season. However, when Griffin plays close to his full potential, the Clips are lethal, one of the scariest – if not the scariest – teams in the West.
Griffin’s big performances can take Lob City to the next level. When BG plays like his shown he can this season, scoring in a variety of ways – yes he can even hit the step back jumper now – that’s when we see the point margin exploding in Lob City’s favor.

The thing is that Griffin has proven his full potential this season. He has shown that he can be the player the entire Clipper Nation expected him to be but up to now he wasn’t. So, if the Clips really want to make it to the top and win the Larry O’Brien trophy, Griffin will have to give his 110 percent in every game. That’s what will make the Clippers the highflying, unbeatable monster it can be, the one that can top any opponent in the league.

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BY: Chris M.

Let the Clippers Vs Warriors Playoffs Begin

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Doc Rivers, Golden State Warriors, JJ Redick, LA Clippers, los angeles, NBA Playoffs, staples center, Stephen CurryChris Michaels

CLIPPERS Vs WARRIORS

In one of the most eagerly anticipated first round playoff series the Los Angeles Clippers will face the Golden State Warriors in the opening round of the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs, starting Saturday at STAPLES Center Saturday, with game two scheduled for STAPLES Center on Monday night. The Warriors, who finished sixth in the Western Conference playoff standings, were dealt a major blow this past week when starting center Andrew Bogut suffered a fractured rib.

The Clippers are coming off of their second consecutive Pacific Division title and the top record in team history. After a disappointing exit at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies in last season’s playoffs the Clippers, with Doc Rivers at the helm, enter the playoffs with high expectations. The Clippers success has created major expectations in Los Angeles that the team is primed for a finals run. When star point guard Chris Paul went down with an injury early this year, power forward Blake Griffin took his game to the next level, garnering attention as a potential dark horse MVP candidate. In Paul and Griffin the Clippers have two established superstars, arguably two of the top ten players in the NBA. With the return of JJ Redick the Clippers are also healthy for the first time in several months, with the entire starting lineup intact.

The series will be defined by the point guard matchup between Chris Paul and Warriors superstar fourth-year forward Stephon Curry. Curry has nearly unlimited range and along with Klay Thompson forms the premier shooting backcourt in the NBA. Curry, arguably the best three point shooter in the history of the NBA, is the catalyst for the Warriors offense, constantly pushing the basketball with the ability to score from the outside and in transition.

CLIPPERS Vs WARRIORS

Due to Golden State’s unique home court advantage at Oracle Arena it’s important for the Clippers to get off to a fast start at STAPLES Center, not letting the Warriors steal a game before the series heads to the Bay Area. With Bogut out due to injury the Clippers will have an advantage inside with Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Veteran Jermaine O’Neal will be forced to play extra minutes alongside David Lee inside. Lee is already a weakness on the defensive end, and the Warriors interior defense will suffer mightily without Bogut, who is a strong presence on the boards and as a shot blocker. The Clippers extraordinary depth, which includes Matt Barnes, Darren Collison, Jamal Crawford, Jared Dudley and Danny Granger off the bench gives them depth advantage. If they can exploit their depth through an up-tempo style they should be able to offset the firepower of Curry and Thompson.

Prediction: The loss of Bogut will have a major impact on the series. The big Aussie is a major presence inside and the Warriors interior defense will suffer without him. The Clippers tremendous overall depth, as well as the coaching of Doc Rivers, should overwhelm the Warriors. Clippers in five.

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BY: Chris M.

Who will be the sixth man for the LA Clippers in the playoffs?

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, CP3, Danny Granger, Darren Collision, Doc Rivers, Jamal Crawford, JJ Redick, LA Clippers, Lob City, Matt Barnes, mvp, NBA PlayoffsChris Michaels

The Los Angeles Clippers are looking to enter the playoffs strong. With Blake Griffin playing at an MVP level and with Chris Paul at his best, the entire Clipper Nation is optimistic that this will be year the Clips will make it to the top. But who will be the most significant role player for Doc Rivers’s group during the playoffs? Who will be the sixth man?

One names comes in my mind when I hear the phrase “sixth man” and that’s no other than Jamal Crawford.

The 34-year old veteran guard won the Sixth Man of the Year award back in 2010 and he is set to win it again this year. He has been exception all season long and especially during the time Chris Paul was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Crawford is putting up 18.4 points per contest this season and I expect him to continue putting up points in bunches during the postseason.

DOC

Of course, Doc Rivers has more than one weapons to line up against any potential opponent. The Clips hope to have their entire roster available during the postseason, right from Game 1. Danny Granger, who is currently out with a hamstring injury is set to return to action. The 30-year old forward hasn’t been a big factor in the 12 games he appeared with the Clippers uniform, after he was brought in LA. Nonetheless, thanks to his veteran experience he could be a key for the Clips in the postseason. Granger can space the floor thus opening the lanes to Chris Paul, Crawford and also give more space to Griffin to work close to the basket. The playoffs are the reason why Lob City decided to acquire Granger in the first place.

REDICK

Another role player who could prove out to be a big factor in the Clippers’ championship course is J.J. Redick. The 29-year old guard played in just 35 games up to now in the season due to back injury and he instantly made his presence felt. If there was one thing the Clips tried to improve this offseason that’s team three-point shooting. J.J. Redick adds up to the team’s firepower from beyond the arc. Thankfully, Redick now seems to be ok and his 12.4 points per game average over the last five games show exactly that. The sharpshooting guard has to play big for the Clips during the postseason.

Finally, Darren Collison and Matt Barnes will have to contribute, too, during the playoffs. However, none of them has shown up to now in the season that he can be the true sixth man for the Clips. Certainly, Collison was reliable when CP3 was out. Nevertheless, unless Paul suffers an injury once again during the playoffs, Collison’s role will be limited to the backup point guard. Barnes, on the other hand earned the starting job midway through the season with Jared Dudley sliding to the bench. However, his role can be characterized as supportive rather than a sixth-man-type one.

Clippers Vs Warriors

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BY: Chris M.

Can Blake Play Big For The Clippers In The Playoffs?

SportsAndrew Bogut, Blake Giffin, Chris Paul, Clipper Nation, Clippers Playoffs, LA Clippers, Lebron James, Lob City, Memphis Grizzlies, mvp, nbaChris Michaels

BLAKE GRIFFIN

Blake Griffin has played really big for the Los Angeles Clippers all season long. He is putting up incredible, MVP-like numbers. He also led Lob City to an impressive course when Chris Paul was sidelined with an injury and he has managed to improve his game in several different sectors. However, there is one big question around BG as we head to the playoffs. Will he be able to play big for the Clips during the postseason?

After two consecutive unsuccessful playoff courses the Clipper Nation expects something better this year. This should be the year the Clippers make the difference, the year they take the next step and Blake Griffin has to be the one showing the way. For sure, his 24.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game up to now in the season are impressive. And yes he is fairly considered as the strongest runner-up for the MVP award, right behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Nonetheless, his career playoff performance hasn’t been as impressive.
BG is averaging just 17.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and also 2.5 assists during the postseason, numbers not even close to his regular season ones. In fact, Griffin seemed like he suffered from lack of focus and emotion control during the postseason.

Some can blame injury issues for Griffin’s struggles last year, when the Clippers exited the playoffs in the first round. However, the dominance of the Grizzlies’ frontline was obvious. Even if Griffin was at his 100 percent, he most probably wouldn’t have been in a position to match with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

Thankfully, this year, Lob City won’t play against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. However, Griffin won’t have an easy job unfolding his offense against Andrew Bogut and possibly David Lee, if the Dubs’ star manages to return from his injury during the postseason.

BLAKE GRIFFIN

It’s true that Griffin has shown much improvement in areas that he was bleeding last year. Free throw shooting was one of them. A 64.0 percent career shooter from the charity stripe, Griffin has improved his free-throw shooting to a 71.0 percent rate this season. This seven percent margin can definitely play a role during the playoffs, when Lob City will need Griffin to attack the basket, get to the line and score easy points.

Defense still remains the Achilles’ heel for the highflying superstar. For a player with his size, his body strength and athletic abilities, it’s notable that Griffin won’t make anyone’s All-NBA-First Team Defense this season. Thankfully, LA still has DeAndre Jordan onboard, who usually is the one making sure the paint is barricaded.

GRIFFIN

Mental balance is another crucial factor for Griffin’s performance and as a result Lob City’s playoff course. Sometimes BG can’t control his emotions and his reactions result in him picking up technical fouls. Fair or unfair, the Clippers can’t afford to lose their leading scorer in any game of the postseason. This will most probably an area Doc Rivers will have to work his magic. If there is one Head Coach in the NBA who can get into the head of his players and make them think clearer and in a more mature manner, that’s Doc Rivers.

Blake Griffin will be a huge factor in the Clippers’ course this season. Hopefully, he will manage to avoid lethargic performances similar to the previous season.

The LA Clippers will start the post season with home court advantage with just two games left in the season this week one against the Trail Blazers and the other against the Nuggets there is a good chance Blake will get a bit of needed rest. A Clippers Vs Warriors match up is looking like it will be the first test for the Clippers in the 2014 playoffs. You can purchase Clippers Playoff Tickets from Barry’s Tickets an Official Partner of the LA Clippers.

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BY: Chris M.

JJ Redick Factor In Clippers Postseason

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clipper Nation, Clippers Postseason, CP3, Dallas Mavericks, Doc Rivers, JJ Redick, LA Clippers, Los Angeles LakersChris Michaels

REDICK

Can J.J. Redick be a factor for the Los Angeles Clippers during the postseason?
The Los Angeles Clippers will need all their weapons lined up come playoff time. Of course, Lob City appears to be very powerful this season and most ready than ever to contend for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Although there are some true powerhouses in the West, which the Clips will have to try hard to top, I strongly believe that if Head Coach Doc Rivers has all pieces available, this will be the Clips’ year.

Talking about pieces of the puzzle and their availability, one of the Clippers’ newcomers this season, shooting guard J.J. Redick just returned to action, after missing a big chunk of the season due to an abdominal injury. Redick returned to action on Thursday, April 4, in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, after missing 36 games this season. Of course, Redick was rusty during his first couple of games, following his comeback. Especially in Thursday’s game against the Mavs, when he played for 24 games, he finished with 12 points, going three for 10 from the floor and two for six from beyond the arc. This was an uncharacteristic output for the 29 – year old guard.

However, Redick made sure he bounced back in the Clippers’ next game. Playing again for 24 minutes during the Clips’ battle against the (former) city-rivals, Los Angeles Lakers, he shot 63.3 percent from the field and a little over than 33 percent from three-point range. Redick finished with 15 points and three rebounds but this wasn’t the most aspect of his game. What was most significant is that he showed positive signs, sings that Doc Rivers but also the entire Clipper Nation was able to see.

REDICK

There are five more games left till the end of the regular season, in which J.J. Redick will have to find his rhythm and pace. If he manages to return to a level close to the one he was prior to his injury, he will certainly be a big factor for the Clippers during the playoffs. After all, the sharpshooter is fourth leading scorer for LA this season, putting up 15.5 points per contest. He is also one of the best shooters the team has, from mid and long range.

But if you look closer at the way the team is playing, you’ll realize that Redick’s contribution goes above and beyond just shooting. In fact, thanks to his lethal shooting ability, defense always has to pay close attention to him. That gives more space to CP3 and Blake Griffin to operate and work their magic. And that makes the team much more dangerous.

Hopefully, Redick will retain a high level of performance during the postseason and hopefully Doc Rivers will have all his players available, right from Game 1 of the first round. After all, the competition level is extremely high in the West this season and not even the first-round matchup won’t be easy. Chris M.

CLIPPERS PLAYOFF TICKETS

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Clippers Last Game Before Playoffs

SportsBarry's Tickets Contest, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Official LA Clippers Partner, staples center, Win Clippers TicketsChris Michaels

Your chance to see Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan in the last game of the regular season at the LA Staples Center as they take on the Denver Nuggets April 15th!

To Enter: Mention @BarrysTickets and Use Hashtag #CLIPS415
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Random Drawing Tuesday April 8th
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Winner will receive a pair of April 15th Clippers Vs Nuggets Tickets for the LA Staples Center Game at 7:30pm. Winner must pick up the Clippers Vs Nuggets tickets at our downtown office on April 15th. Multiple entries will be deleted and only one will be entered.

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You can purchase Clippers Playoff Tickets for all games at Staples Center. Barry’s Tickets has been serving Los Angeles and the Clipper Nation since 1985.

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Good Luck To All Who Enter Chris M.

Clippers Second Straight Division Title

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clippers Playoffs, DeAndre Jordan, Division Title, GS Warriors, LA Clippers, nba, trail blazersChris Michaels

CLIPPERS

With their latest victory against the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers have now won their second consecutive title in the Pacific Division, which is also the second one in franchise history. The Clips continue to dominate with their game and they are looking to take down any opponent that will stand between them and the NBA Championship this season, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs included.

It’s notable that the Clips have recorded the second best record in the NBA since January, trailing just the league-leaders, San Antonio Spurs. It’s also notable that Doc Rivers’s group has managed to stay hot despite all the absences it had from time to time. Chris Paul missed a big chunk of the season due to a shoulder injury, Danny Granger, Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick all missed a significant amount of games and yet the Clips look better than they have ever been.

Warriors Vs Clippers

Of course, Lob City will have to prove its potential come playoff time. The Clips won’t have an easy road towards the Larry O’Brien trophy, not even in the first round of the playoffs. With the Golden State Warriors most probably being their matchup in the first leg, the Clippers won’t have an easy road at all. However, if they keep performing at the level they have been as of lately and most importantly if they manage to stay healthy, the Clippers will definitely do well.

In fact, last season, health and luck were not there for LA. The team suffered a disappointing early elimination in the first round of the postseason from the Memphis Grizzlies. This year, they are looking to avoid a repetition of that same failure.

Clipper Nation has numerous reasons to be optimistic for the Clippers Playoff Run this year. Blake Griffin is recording a breakaway season, Chris Paul seems to be at his 100 percent, Jamal Crawford is almost a lock for the Sixth Man of the Year award and DeAndre Jordan is considered a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player of the Year. Add in the mid-season additions of Glen Davis and Danny Granger and of course, the presence of Doc Rivers on the bench and you have your championship – ready team.

LOB CITY

The Clippers are the best team on offense in the league and unless they meet a true defensive powerhouse, they won’t be easily stopped. As things are currently in the Western Conference, the Clips seem capable of beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a potential seven – game series. They could also top the San Antonio Spurs, which currently are at the top of their game but they may run out of fuel during the postseason.

Will this be the Los Angeles Clippers’ year? Will this be the time that the fans of the team will finally taste the sweetness of the NBA Championship?

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Chris M

Can The Clippers Beat The Spurs?

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clippers, Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Doc Rivers, Glen Davis, Greg Popovich, Jamal Crawford, Jared Dudley, Manu Ginobili, Matt Barnes, nba finals, NBA Playoffs, Oklahoma, San Antonio Spurs, staples center, Tim Duncan, Western ConferenceChris Michaels

Heading down the stretch in the Western Conference playoff race the Los Angeles Clippers are solidly in third place with potential to surpass the Oklahoma City Thunder for second place. Like the first place Spurs the Clippers are peaking at the right time, with victories in 12 of their last 13 games. Following their upcoming five game road trip the Clippers can finish off the season at STAPLES Center, heading into the playoffs with the potential to win as many as 60 games. Now the dominant team in Los Angeles the Clippers head into the postseason with big expectations. With consecutive Pacific Division titles and a loaded roster anything less than a deep run into the Western Conference playoffs would be a disappointment for the franchise. From the acquisition of Doc Rivers to the building of a deep bench the Clippers organization has made the moves necessary to contend for a title. The two teams in the Clippers way, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, are veteran laden clubs with championship pedigree. Both have reached the finals the past two seasons. While the Thunder took a tiny step back with the trade of James Harden and the injury to Russell Westbrook, the Clippers look ready to make the ascent and challenge San Antonio.

Here are five reasons the Clippers will knock off the San Antonio Spurs:

DOC & GREG

Doc Rivers: Look no further than San Antonio and Greg Popovich for a perfect example of the impact of head coaching in the NBA. The Spurs are an outstanding organization with multiple future Hall of Famers, but they also have arguably the best head coach in professional sports. In seeking Doc Rivers to replace Vinny Del Negro the Clippers significantly improved at the head coaching position. The presence of Rivers has improved the Clippers significantly on the defensive end of the court. The Clippers are currently 6th in the NBA defensive rankings, giving up just 101.5 points per game and 4th in effective field goal percentage, behind Miami, San Antonio and the Houston Rockets. It’s an old adage that defense wins championships, but the adage holds true in the NBA.

BLAKE

The Evolution of Blake Griffin: In the past three months Blake Griffin has gone from a player that many around the NBA still questioned as an elite star, to a potential MVP candidate. When Chris Paul went down with an injury early in 2014 Griffin went on a tear and carried the team on his back until Paul returned. The former top overall pick is playing the best basketball of his career and will give the Spurs fits in the playoffs. Griffin has turned into the dependable post option that the Clippers need to contend for a title.

DEANDRE

Youth: Based on the past few seasons the idea of writing off the Spurs due to the age of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili would be a major mistake. Popovich has masterfully managed the roster this season, somehow locking up the likely top overall seed while managing to not play a single player more than 30 minutes per game. This strategy has preserved the legs of veterans Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. The big question is whether or not this regular season strategy can translate to the playoffs. If Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are forced to play big minutes come postseason the Clippers relative depth and youth should be a factor.

The Clippers Bench: Over the past several seasons one of the secrets to the Spurs success has been their bench strength. They’ve done an incredible job finding and developing young talent to play alongside their veteran core. The Clippers bench depth, more than any other team in the Western Conference, rivals that of the Spurs. During the recent trade deadline the Clippers made moves to acquire Glen Davis and Danny Granger, to provide even more assistance to a unit that includes Matt Barnes, Jamal Crawford, Darren Collison and Jared Dudley. As a result the Clippers boast a reserve until every bit as deep as San Antonio.

CHRIS

Chris Paul: The secret to the Spurs success over the past five seasons is the play of point guard Tony Parker. While Tim Duncan has taken a secondary role Parker has assumed the role of the go-to player in the lineup. His combination of speed and quickness makes him incredibly hard to guard and helps drive the Spurs offense. In the 28 games the two have played against each other during their NBA careers the matchup has essentially been a standstill. Parker and the Spurs have won 18 of the 28 matchups, largely due to the dominance of the Spurs during Paul’s years with the Hornets. Parker has struggled with nagging injuries the past two seasons and the presence of Paul will make Parker work at both ends of the court, expending important energy on the defensive end.

It would be a giant mistake to write the Spurs off after the dominant regular seasons they’ve had the past two years and the deep playoff run they made in 2013, but Duncan and Ginobili are a year older and their ability to continually answer the bell has to come to an end at some point. The Clippers are peaking at the right time and should have what it takes to upset San Antonio in the Western Conference playoffs.Chris Michaels.

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