Predicting the final records of each NBA team
By Brad Rowland
Los Angeles Clippers
Because of the off-court drama surrounding Donald Sterling, it feels as if the Los Angeles Clippers have been “slept on” in terms of championship contenders. That ends this season, as the Clips are firmly in the elite tier among Western Conference teams, and after a 57-win season a year ago, the roster is actually improved this year.
For the most part, the Clippers return their roster from last season, with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin leading a group that includes rising star DeAndre Jordan, super-sub Jamal Crawford and solid role plays like Matt Barnes and Big Baby Davis. However, Los Angeles made a significant addition via free agency, and they should receive a nice boost on the wing with a healthy season from an established starter.
Spencer Hawes arrives to finally give the Clippers a viable third big man, and that was the principle issue for LA a season ago. Jordan and Griffin comprise one of the best interior duos in the league, but the team was utilizing guys like Ryan Hollins and Byron Mullens off the bench last season, and Hawes represents a measurable upgrade, regardless of your feelings on his perimeter-oriented offensive arsenal.
The “other” addition to the Clippers is J.J. Redick, who was limited to only 35 games a year ago. Redick is perpetually underrated based on the stereotype he acquired during his time at Duke, but the sharp-shooter averaged 15.2 points per game with a 16.6 PER in limited action last season, and he is the best shooting guard on the roster. The “core” of Paul, Crawford, Redick, Barnes, Griffin, Davis, Jordan and Hawes is arguably the league’s best eight-man rotation, and if the Clippers can get anything out of the rest of their bench (i.e. Reggie Bullock, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Jordan Farmar), Doc Rivers can dance in the streets.
Projected Record: 59-23, 2nd in West