2011-12 LA Clippers Predictions
Written by Jack Jones
The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a disastrous 32-50 campaign. They actually played well at home with a 23-18 record at the Staples Center, but this young team faltered on the road to the tune of a 9-32 mark away from home. The one bright spot was high-flying Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin, who also won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.
This team has had arguably the best offseason of any team in the league. They traded for Chris Paul (Hornets), giving away Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu in the deal. Those are some big losses, but they also signing Caron Butler and Chauncey Billups in free agency. This team clearly has added a lot more than they’ve lost.
In Paul, the Clippers have the superstar and floor leader they desperately needed. He averaged 15.8 points last season while also finishing fourth in the league in assists (9.8). Not to mention, he can get it done on the defensive end as well after finishing first in the league in steals (2.35).
Paul will be accompanied by Billups, Mo Williams and Randy Foye in the backcourt. SF Butler only played 29 games last season, but he is expected to fully recover from a knee injury. He averaged 15.0 points for the Mavericks before going down with the injury.
Griffin finished 12th in the league in scoring (22.5) and 4th in rebounding (12.1) while averaging a double-double. He had the most dunks in the league, and he was the highlight reel waiting to happen. He ranked third in the NBA in double-doubles (63), just three behind Dwight Howard. He also had two triple-doubles.
With the loss of Kaman, the Clippers are a little thin in the post. They did manage to re-sign C DeAndre Jordan, who averaged 7.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game last year. He is a defensive stopper who cashes in on his opportunities offensively, making 68.6 percent of his field goal attempts in 2010-11.
The Clippers finished just 19th in scoring (98.6 points/game) and 20th in scoring defense (101.8 points/game). They should be able to improve in both areas this season. They were a respectable 9th in rebounding (42.1/game), while also sharing the ball well offensively, finishing 10th in assists (22.1/game). With Paul running the show, that number will only go up.
Western Conference Prediction: 2nd Pacific Division – The Los Angeles Clippers are more ready to compete with the inner-city rival Lakers than they have been in quite some time. I believe their starting line-up has the talent to match that of the Lakers, but the Clippers have perhaps the worst depth in the entire league. They gave away three quality players to get Paul, meaning their bench is going to be very thin. This is a playoff team, but a one-and-done is the likely scenario for L.A. come season’s end.
Jack Jones is ready to turn in a long, profit-filled NBA campaign. If you want to see how he sees this season playing out, then check out his 2011-12 NBA predictions article today.
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