NBA Power Rankings: Spurs on top? Kawhi not
Los Angeles Clippers 40-28
Last week: 4-5
Last rank: 9th
Since Chris Paul’s return, it almost looked as if the team hadn’t missed a step. Blake Griffin is showing no ill effects from his own injury and with DeAndre Jordan playing at an All-Star level the Clippers have rounded back into contender form pretty quickly. The true test for this team will come in the postseason. The core group has been together long enough where they know that the success of their time together will be judged by what they do in the playoffs and not what they do in the regular season.
With the Warriors — and Kevin Durant himself — still being mum on when we can expect to see him back on the court, the Western Conference might’ve opened up (even if it’s just a tiny crevice, hope is hope). The window is closing every day on this group as all three of Paul, Griffin and J.J. Redick will be free agents this offseason. If this is going to be their final run at something big, you know like getting out of the second round, they need to make sure that they are as healthy as possible entering the postseason. With Griffin and Paul already missing significant chunks of time in the regular season, the entire organization must be crossing their fingers that the team will remain healthy for the rest of the year. Doc Rivers seat is starting to get a little warm and just how hot it gets will be determined by how this team does in the playoffs and what players they are able to bring back this summer.