The Clippers’ playoff run last spring and their busy off-season of stockpiling talent simply increased the pressure on them to be successful this season.

That burden to succeed rests not only with All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, but also with the man who is expected to lead them, Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro.

“My goal coming here was to help change the environment, change the culture and change the direction of the organization.”

Last season the Clippers went 40-26 in the regular season and Del Negro took them to the second round of the playoffs for just the second time since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1984.

All signs point to Del Negro’s leading the Clippers to back-to-back playoff appearances. If that happens, it will be for just the second time during the 32 years Donald Sterling will have owned the team. The Clippers last reached the postseason in consecutive years in 1992 and 1993 when Larry Brown was coach.

via Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times