By: Dennis Rogers
The Clippers have three main beat writers who see the team almost daily throughout the entire season. They travel to cover the team, are at every practice and have a prime seat at every home game at STAPLES. Clippers.com recently asked them their thoughts on the upcoming season. All agreed that the Clippers will achieve their highest win total in franchise history and that this team has a chance to win it all.
1. Best off-season move by the Clippers
Ben Bolch, LA Times
Signing Spencer Hawes was easily the smartest move the Clippers made over the summer (well, besides the change in ownership, but that's another topic entirely). Hawes gives the team the kind of high-end backup it was missing last season behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and has the versatility to play with either player because of his three-point shooting that makes him a valuable floor spacer. Hawes also is a reliable free throw shooter (78.3%) last season, which means that he could play lots of fourth-quarter minutes if Jordan struggles at the line.
Dan Woike, Orange County Register
Most teams try and score a marquee free agent, and to do so, they have to shell out big-time money. The Clippers biggest offseason move spent $2 billion to be a part of the team.
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer won't help the Clippers guard Kevin Durant. He won't set Jamal Crawford up for a buzzer-beating 3, and he'll never slam home a Chris Paul lob.
But the new Clipper owner has vowed to arm his players, coaches and employees with everything they need to succeed. No more distractions, only providing the tools for success.
Arash Markazi, ESPN.com
The most significant addition was the signing of Spencer Hawes, which for the first time gives the Clippers some quality depth in the front court. No disrespect to the backup big men before but they really couldn’t be relied on to give the team quality minutes in crunch time and certainly not in the playoffs. That changes with Hawes, who can spread the floor and with his shooting and will finally give the Clippers someone they can rely on late in game with DeAndre Jordan’s limitations on offense and the free throw line.
2. Biggest question for the upcoming season
Ben Bolch, LA Times
Can the Clippers' core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan breakthrough in its fourth season together and reach at least the Western Conference finals? The conference is so loaded at the top (San Antonio, Oklahoma City, the Clippers and Golden State are all legitimate NBA finals contenders) and deep (Portland, Phoenix, Memphis, Houston, New Orleans and Denver all appear playoff-worthy) that some very good teams will lose in the first round of the playoffs. The tough reality facing a team as good as the Clippers is that if it doesn't at least make the conference finals for the first time in franchise history then its season will be labeled a disappointment. It should help that this is the second season in Coach Doc Rivers' system and that Griffin and Jordan continue to improve their games. The question is whether the Clippers can push through against the likes of the Spurs and Thunder when the season is on the line.
Dan Woike, Orange County Register
Did the Clippers do enough to improve their defense?
The team's major acquisitions, signing Spencer Hawes and Jordan Farmar and re-signing Glen Davis, make the Clippers an even better offensive team (at least on paper). But none of them are known for the defensive prowess.
The responsibility, ultimately, falls on Doc Rivers and his defensive system, which values team defense more than individual skill.
Can the Clippers become a great defensive team? If they do, it's because Rivers has the team guarding as a unit.
Arash Markazi, ESPN.com
The biggest weakness on the roster for the Clippers is also their biggest question heading into the season? What is the team planning to do at the small forward position? The Clippers traded away Jared Dudley essentially for cap flexibility and struck out in their attempts to add Paul Pierce. They go into the season with Matt Barnes as their starter and last year’s first round pick, Reggie Bullock, and Chris Douglas-Roberts backing him up. The Clippers will likely look to make another move there, the question is what and when?
3. Breakout player for the team
Ben Bolch, LA Times
Signing with the Clippers could revive Chris Douglas-Roberts' career because he's not in a high-pressure situation but should have ample opportunities to show he belongs in an NBA rotation. The swingman was one of the most intriguing players for the Charlotte Bobcats during their short playoff appearance against the Miami Heat and should instantly become one of the Clippers' top perimeter defenders. He'll also be a hoot to follow on Twitter after changing his handle to @RockstarCDR and tweeting about his desire to wear throwback short shorts.
Dan Woike, Orange County Register
Can the guy who finished 3rd in the MVP voting last season be in line for a breakout performance?
Blake Griffin is among the hardest workers in the NBA, and every summer, he's become a better basketball player. There's no reason to think that he won't take another leap this year.
Chris Paul said in the past that Griffin didn't know how good he is. And as he continues to figure that out, he'll only get scarier.
Arash Markazi, ESPN.com
If the Clippers don’t add another wing, I think Reggie Bullock will be given a chance to breakout this season. Matt Barnes is a better fit off the bench so there might even be a chance for Bullock to start at some point this season and if that’s the case, I think he can become a solid outside shooter while sharing the floor with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
4. Thing to watch
Ben Bolch, LA Times
Team chemistry. The Clippers lost a bunch of great locker-room guys in Jared Dudley, Ryan Hollins, Willie Green and Darren Collison. While none were huge playmakers on the court with the exception of Collison, they all contributed to a cohesive atmosphere in which players seemed to genuinely want to play for each other. The newcomers will need to replicate that this season for the Clippers to take the next step in the playoffs.
Dan Woike, Orange County Register
I'd keep an eye on the Clipper frontcourt. The team really bolstered its depth behind DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, adding Spencer Hawes, Glen Davis and Ekpe Udoh.
While teams around the league are playing smaller, the Clippers could be poised to employ a big lineup, maybe even with Griffin playing some more facing the basket.
Arash Markazi, ESPN.com
There’s plenty to watch on the court but this season I’m interested to watch new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who will be a courtside fixture during games and could be a louder and more exuberant version of Mark Cuban if that’s possible.
5. The Clippers will win the Championship if….
Ben Bolch, LA Times
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan can play at a consistently high level in the playoffs and the Clippers get some timely step-up performances from Jamal Crawford, Spencer Hawes, J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes. It would also help if a middle-of-the-road defense can move into the NBA's top 10 in terms of points allowed.
Dan Woike, Orange County Register
The team has to stay healthy. Chris Paul has to have a MVP-caliber postseason and Griffin needs to take another step towards closing the gap from No. 3 in the MVP voting to the top two.
Arash Markazi, ESPN.com
If they play defense and protect their home court in the playoffs as well as they did during the season. The Clippers tied for the best home record and the best defensive team in the West last season but fell apart late in the playoffs. The Clippers allowed at least 100 points in nine of their last 10 playoff games; allowing 99 in the other one. The Clippers also lost two of their last three home playoff games and were eliminated in front of their home fans
6. Predict the Clippers' record
Ben Bolch, LA Times
60-22
Dan Woike, Orange County Register
59-23
Arash Markazi, ESPN.com
60-22