NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Jazz beating the Clippers
By Connor Learn
1. This could be the end of the Lob City era
The current Clippers era really began when they selected DeAndre Jordan in the second round of the 2008 Draft. Blake Griffin was the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and the young Clippers began showing promise once he began playing. The Lob City Clippers officially came to be when they acquired Chris Paul during the 2011-12 season. It has lead to arguably the best basketball in Clipper history, but their time could be done after their series loss.
Los Angeles finished fifth in the West the season they acquired Paul; that was their worst finish during his six seasons there. The Clippers won over 50 games during each of their last five seasons as well. The organization had never qualified for the playoffs more than three years in a row or had a 50 win season prior to this current run. But while the Clippers have undeniably been successful, they never made the Conference Finals as a group and their championship window seemed to pass them by.
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have player options and can opt into free agency this summer. Starting shooting guard J.J. Redick is an unrestricted free agent and may be priced out of retaining. Doc Rivers has stated that he would like to bring this team back, as they realistically could become contenders given the right breaks in the playoffs. Also, if they were to want to change things up, they would seek to trade assets rather than let them walk for free. This summer will determine their course of action and there are some variables that are yet to play out. It could potentially be a very interesting one for the Clippers.