The LA Clippers Have To Learn To Make The Most From Their Mistakes
By Keith Rivas
The LA Clippers managed to pick up Lance Stephenson, Paul Pierce, and even Wesley Johnson from the rival Lakers — but now the question becomes whether or not they can build on that and create more than empty noise.
From what we all saw in the playoffs there were plenty of things for the Los Angeles Clippers to step up and improve if they expect to act on the small window of opportunity they have before the Lakers return as serious contenders.
They needed an x-factor — they got Lance Stephenson.
They needed clutch performances in games that can close out a series — they picked up Paul Pierce.
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They needed someone still looking to make plenty of a name for himself — they grabbed Wesley Johnson.
All that’s left for head coach and general manager Doc Rivers to do is put the pieces together — but he’s got to do it quickly.
Rivers is now going to be on the hot seat until he can prove that the Clippers are true contenders while the road to a high playoff seed and potential home court advantage in a deep playoff run is still doable.
If they can’t reach at least the Western Conference Finals, they’re in trouble.
Giving us the kind of see-saw basketball that we’ve seen not just last year but even the year prior when they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
That was after escaping the Golden State Warriors in a seven game first round thriller.
It’s taken epic heroics by an aging and not always adaptable Chris Paul to keep the Clippers remotely in the conversation around the league and in the Western Conference and they simply can’t afford to have that continue to be the case if they expect things to get better.
That’s a big IF there.
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One big bonus for the Clippers is that they were able to (somehow) retain DeAndre Jordan and bring him back to the roster despite his previous verbal commitment to leave LA for the Dallas Mavericks.
If Jordan had gone away like it was supposed to happen, you wouldn’t see a lot of hope or optimism for Lob City.
But you would see some new jerseys around town, so hey — you win some, you lose some.
I guess you’ve just got to pick your battles.
The Golden State Warriors are going to be just as good if not better than they were in their most recent rendition of what an NBA championship team looks like.
As no bueno as that is — for Lakers and Clippers fans alike — the Clippers might be one of the only teams that can compete with the Warriors toe-to-toe.
And have a chance to beat them.
Assuming that everyone stays healthy and with the team, at least.
All rumors and drama aside, the Clippers can beat the best of the best if they put their mind to it.
Bottom Line: Lob City is stacked and ready to bring the house down
New motivation behind Stephenson and Pierce along with the curiosity of Johnson will be more than enough to put LA above and beyond.
But there’s always room for disappointment at the door — don’t let the ego get to you.