Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul reportedly had falling-out

DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul may have had falling-out during season

Another second-round loss for the Los Angeles Clippers means that drama is sure to follow in their wake. Coming into the season, a good portion of the media were selecting them as a favorite in the West. After injuries throughout the year, the change in styles of Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan’s offensive takeover while Griffin was out, the perspective on this team adjusted.

Despite all this, it was the same result for the Clippers, getting bounced early from the playoffs. This is a disappointment to be sure. It seems some of the changes throughout the campaign grated on the stars, potentially forcing some severed relationships.

This is a tough release for Los Angeles. With Jordan becoming a free agent, this could be a devastating piece of information for the Clippers if it’s true. Jordan is an excellent player and maybe the best defender in the game, but if Paul doesn’t want him around, he won’t be.

However, if Jordan does leave, it won’t be a subtle or small shift. If Jordan leaves it would be a huge blow but also an  opportunity to get a player or maybe even a few with an influx of cap space. Regardless of how the Jordan situation ends up playing out in Los Angeles, there is clearly a need to change. The roster currently constructed is not a championship contender, even if it is virtually guaranteed a playoff spot every year.

It really was a failing on a holistic level. Not only was the bench under-performing, but two steals by Pablo Prigioni on inbound passes in Game 7 speaks volumes. Something is fundamentally wrong, and you are simply not a championship team when you allow those mistakes to happen.

Is Paul the leader that can take them to the next step? On the surface it sounds like a ridiculous question, but reality and ideology have not matched up.

Should head coach Doc Rivers be at the helm of basketball operations and coach or should he focus on one position? It is hard to dismiss any question given to the organization, because it simply isn’t working – again. Everything needs to be evaluated, and if there is relationship issues with the team that needs to be addressed.

h/t BleacherReport