2012-2013 Los Angeles Clippers Season Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers found new life when they drafted Blake Griffin. Acquiring Chris Paul elevated the team into a postseason contender. Now, after a second-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Clippers have continued to revamp their roster with a long list of capable veterans to join their young, athletic core.
It remains to be seen how far this group can go, but the Clippers have a very high ceiling this coming year.
HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the 2012-2013 Los Angeles Clippers:
Five Guys Think…
It’s been several years since the Clippers looked this promising. Coming off of a strong year they managed to have an even better offseason despite losing their general manager Neil Olshey to the Portland Trail Blazers and opting not to replace him immediately. With Grant Hill, Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford, Ryan Hollins and Matt Barnes joining the mix they’re much more experienced and potent offensively. The Clippers aren’t at the level of the Los Angeles Lakers or Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference yet, but the big question is does Chris Paul believe in their potential enough to sign on long term next summer? Other than winning a championship, nothing would top that for the Clippers.
2nd Place – Pacific Division
– Yannis Koutroupis
Just when it looked like the Clippers might stake their claim as Los Angeles’ best NBA team, the Lakers had to go and land Steve Nash and Dwight Howard and put the Clippers right back in second place. Still, with Lamar Odom (hopefully his heart, too), Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill and now Matt Barnes in the mix, the Clippers have a great deal of depth around their All-Star core of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. They might still be a little thin up front, which could come back to haunt them come playoff time, but the Clippers should be better than last year’s squad and in the mix for home court in the West.
2nd Place – Pacific Division
– Bill Ingram
While the Los Angeles Lakers were dominating the headlines in recent months, the Los Angeles Clippers were busy making moves and having an impressive offseason of their own. They’ve added Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom and Grant Hill to their already impressive core, making them one of the deeper teams in the league. Last year, the Clippers’ new-look roster was assembled right before training camp and they had to learn on the fly with very limited practice time due to the lockout-shortened season. Now, their transition period is over and they’ll enter this season with improved chemistry. While it’ll be difficult for the Clippers to win more games than the Lakers, they should finish second in the Pacific Division and could make a deep postseason run.
2nd Place – Pacific Division
– Alex Kennedy
The roster is absolutely stacked with talent, but I’ve got two concerns. The first is the fact that Vinny Del Negro is still the coach of this team, which means there’s bound to be a playoff situation in which he’s completely outmatched by the guy he’s working against. That’s a problem, and it really is a little surprising that Del Negro is still coaching the team. The second issue is that Chris Paul’s contract is up after this season, so I’m not sure how to feel about the makeup of this roster long-term. Despite all that, the roster in place for 2012-2013 is loaded, with Paul, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Chauncey Billups, DeAndre Jordan, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Eric Bledsoe. I like all those names because it’s an impressive list – impressive enough to get them deep into the playoffs. Better than the Lakers or Thunder, though? Probably not.
2nd Place – Pacific Division
– Joel Brigham
The arrival of All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the franchise last season immediately provided respectability. The Clippers’ front office solidified this respect over the summer showing the team intends to be major players by bringing in veterans Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom and Grant Hill. However, there are still areas of concern: Paul and Blake Griffin both wore down at the end of last season and it is a huge question mark what type of production Odom is capable of providing the team after a tumultuous season in Dallas. Anything less than a top five finish in the Western Conference will (and should be) deemed a disappointment and likely put head coach Vinny Del Negro on the proverbial hot seat.
2nd Place – Pacific Division
– Lang Greene
Top Of The List
Top Offensive Player: The Clippers’ offense runs through Chris Paul. He controls the game almost every minute he’s on the floor. As a scorer, Paul averaged 19.8 points per game last year while dishing 9.1 assists per game. Blake Griffin may have scored slightly more (20.7 points), but the team’s offense is Chris Paul.
Top Defensive Player: DeAndre Jordan’s primary focus always seems to be blocking shots, so much so that he can often be out of position defensively. His development on that end of the floor would help elevate the Clippers but that’s not something to bank on just yet. Instead, Lamar Odom re-joins the Clippers as an experienced, versatile defender who can guard multiple positions including center and small forward. Odom may be the likely partner in the frontcourt for Griffin to close out games defensively. As far as perimeter players, guard Eric Bledsoe has started to show he can be an impact defender.
Top Playmaker: Chris Paul is among the top playmakers in the league. Few come close anywhere else in the NBA, let alone on the Clippers.
Top Clutch Player: Chris Paul also has the ability to score in closing moments of games, often weaving to the basket for a layup even when the defenders know (or think they know) what’s coming. Arguably the biggest problem the Clippers had against the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs was a banged-up Paul who just couldn’t do everything he would normally be capable of doing.
Top Unheralded Player: It’s a bit odd to say a former NBA Finals MVP is unheralded but Chauncey Billups is a bit of the forgotten man. He was lost for much of last season with an Achilles’ tear and while he’s still working his way back, at some point this year he will be back to full health. Billups is still shooting for opening night while the team may be thinking more conservatively for a November return. That’s still to be determined but when he is back in the lineup, presumably starting at shooting guard next to Paul, the Clippers add another savvy veteran, playmaker and clutch shooter to a very deep roster.
Best New Addition: The Clippers added a number of new faces and while Jamal Crawford should provide ample scoring off the bench to replace last year’s boost from Mo Williams, it’s really Lamar Odom who is the most valuable pickup for the team. Los Angles needs Odom to return form after a terrible year in Dallas with the Mavericks. Odom’s ability to defend, rebound, play make and score makes him a difficult matchup for opponents. The Clippers need that help in the frontcourt even more than they need Crawford’s scoring in the back. That’s not to diminish how much Crawford can help this team as well, but Odom’s contribution is more vital.
– Eric Pincus
Who We Like
1. Blake Griffin: The dunks get the attention but Griffin is a very skilled all-around player. As he develops, he’ll grow as a defender (his weakest skill), but Griffin can score, pass and scrap for loose balls like none other. Typically a role player, like Ronny Turiaf, is the player diving into the stands for loose balls but on the Clippers, that’s going to be Griffin more often than not. If Griffin can improve at the free throw line and steady his jumper from 15-20 feet out, his scoring average will increase dramatically as will the Clippers’ win total.
2. Chris Paul: In addition to his talent as a playmaker and scorer, it’s Paul’s competitiveness that makes him great. He detests losing and is willing to take on almost any role to prevent defeat. Where he’s helped the Clippers the most is in the closing moments of games, something historically the franchise has struggled with in most years.
3. Eric Bledsoe: After a slow start last season (knee surgery), Bledsoe came on late, proving to be a potent force in the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies and Spurs. Defensively he’s strong and agile; offensively Bledsoe showed a knack at getting to the basket. While he’s not a true point guard he can pass but his value to the Clippers may be as a scorer and perimeter defender. Bledsoe needs minutes this season, be it behind Paul or alongside him in a smaller but capable backcourt.
4. Mix of athleticism and experience: The Clippers, like so many young teams, have carried rosters full of athletes before but inexperienced players often don’t know how to win on a consistent basis. Now LA has a veteran group with players like Caron Butler, Grant Hill, Willie Green, Paul, Billups, Odom, Crawford and Turiaf. Experience in the league is vital but it too alone isn’t enough. Understanding what it takes to win doesn’t always translate when players start to lose a step. Of course the Clippers have Griffin, Jordan, Bledsoe who are all tremendous athletes. This particular mix of players has a strong balance of athleticism and experience, which should translate into a high seed in the West.
5. The Clippers’ chances at keeping Paul: Taking an extension now doesn’t make financial sense for Paul. The most he can add on is three years to his current, expiring deal. Next summer, as an unrestricted free agent, Paul can re-sign for five years. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement took the teeth out of extensions for veterans and it remains a possibility that Paul ups and leaves after his second year with the Clippers. That said, the Clippers have the advantage in 2013 with a capable roster and more money to offer Paul than any other franchise. The future is always uncertain but the LA has a very strong chance at keeping Paul for a lot longer than one last season.
– Eric Pincus
Strengths
The Clippers are potent offensive team. Chris Paul, who has been nearly unstoppable on a team without such a strong supporting cast, has numerous weapons at his disposal including the still-developing Blake Griffin. The Clippers are loaded with athletes, veterans, scorers and playmakers. Chauncey Billups’ nickname is "Mr. Big Shot" and he’s not even the team’s primary clutch player. Jamal Crawford has a history of making big shots as well. While DeAndre Jordan doesn’t have a post game, he’s someone who needs to be guarded or else he’s a lob recipient. LA is deep with players like Lamar Odom, Eric Bledsoe, Grant Hill, Matt Barnes and Crawford off the bench which should make the Clippers a problem to opponents on most nights.
– Eric Pincus
Weaknesses
As strong as the Clippers will be this season offensively, it’s not as obvious how strong the team will be defensively. Jordan and Odom will have to help Griffin protect the rim. Billups and Bledsoe are undersized at two and Crawford never really built up much of a reputation as a defender. If everything goes as well as the Clippers’ hope, the weaknesses will naturally be overcome but it’s important to note that the Dallas Mavericks did not want Odom back and the Portland Trail Blazers did not want Crawford back. Hill, as great a career as he has had, will be 40-years old by the time the season starts. Ronny Turiaf has had significant trouble staying healthy, Billups’ return date is still up in the air and both Griffin and Paul are coming off summer surgeries. The Clippers have a number of pieces that may fit very well together but they need to prove that they actually do . . . and they need to get and stay healthy.
– Eric Pincus
What Needs To Be Said On Opening Day….
Last year we were a serious contender and I expect more of the same this season. We know that Chris will help us become one of the league’s best offensive teams, but we need him – along with Blake and DeAndre – to help provide more accountability on the defensive end of the floor. Caron and Grant, I’d like to see you own the role of defensive stopper on the wing. I know you two can score, but we need you to focus your productivity to slowing our opponent’s best wing player on a nightly basis. And Blake, the entire league knows you are one of the best athletes in the game. But I don’t want people talking about you just for your highlights on Sportscenter. This team needs you to bring your defense to another level if we are to compete for a championship. If each of you can make small sacrifices from your personal, offensive goals and channel them into your focus and commitment to defense, we will be in the thick of it all season long.
– Anthony Macri and Brett Koremenos
The Burning Question
Is Vinny Del Negro a lame duck?
The Clippers picked up their option on Head Coach Vinny Del Negro after the season, retaining him for the third and final year of his current contract. Del Negro has two years of experience as head coach with the Chicago Bulls and was brought on to help Los Angeles climb from a lottery team into playoff material.
Now that the Clippers have added in Chris Paul and the long list of veterans, the franchise would like to look at itself as a championship contender. Is Del Negro a championship-level coach? How well do the Clippers need to do this season (both regular and post) for Del Negro to get another contract?
Organizationally Del Negro is well-liked but ultimately the NBA is about results and the team, led by Del Negro, needs to deliver this season.
– Eric Pincus
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