This is question that comes up every year from a franchise plagued with losing seasons and is considered in Los Angeles to be its junior varsity team. They only won 30 games last year, but the future is bright. They have Blake Griffin who is the human highlight film with his spectacular dunks. Griffin who missed his rookie year with injury was as advertised and then some in his first year. Assuming during the extra time off, between him making commercials and watching beach volleyball, he developed a midrange jump shot and a low post move or two. If he did Griffin will be even better his second year, and almost unstoppable.
Griffin has help, Eric Gordon was second leading scorer on the team is good shooter and his defensive skills are under rated. Chris Kaman played in only 30 games last year is one of the better centers in the league when healthy. Kaman has a nice low post moves can score with either hand and is a willing passer. He is in the last year of his contract and will be a hungry player this year. DeAndre Jordon excelled during Kaman’s absence last year and developed into a very good center, even though Jordon is somewhat limited offensively, he’s a good shot blocker and a good rebounder. Mo Williams who came over from Cleveland in the middle of the fit in nicely and showed all star form at times last year. He should be even better this year. Eric Bledsoe and Randy Foye were serviceable last year, but both will have to improve in order to keep their minutes.
The Clippers who are about 12 million under the salary cap have the money to improve the supporting cast and won’t have to spend it all to do it. Small forward is their greatest need and a good fit might be free agent Shane Battier. Battier who shouldn’t be very expensive is a good on ball defender, can knock down open threes and can provide veteran leadership which is sorely needed. Free agent Shannon Brown would also be a nice fit as proved he is more than a highlight dunker. His outside shot improved, is a good defender and his best years should be ahead of him. Getting Brown would serve two purposes it would give the Clippers backcourt depth and would also weaken their neighbors from down the hallway.
So with good health, natural improvement from their young stars and some veteran leadership, the Clippers will indeed be playoff bound.
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