2012-13 NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers

By Kels Dayton
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Updated: October 21, 2012

3. Los Angeles Clippers

HOW THEY CAN WIN: We can’t believe it either, but the Clippers have a legitimate shot to reach the NBA Finals. Chris Paul (19.8 ppg, 9.1 apg) is almost unquestionably the best point guard in the league, and proved as such during the Olympics. Coach K trusted Paul to log more minutes than anyone else on the team, including LeBron. Blake Griffin (20.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg) could take another step towards becoming an elite player this season, and the supporting cast is vastly improved with the additions of Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford, and the veteran Grant Hill. Chauncey Billups also returns from injury.

WHY THEY WON’T: The Clippers were exposed by the Spurs in the Western Conference semis last season, completely taken apart by San Antonio’s defense. Blake Griffin has shown some glaring weaknesses in his game, including free throw shooting. He’s also a below-average defender for his size and should be more of a shot-blocker than he is.

FINAL DESTINATION: The Clips’ final destination will depend on Griffin’s continued improvement. If he becomes more than a gifted scorer and freakish dunker, this team has a chance to compete for the NBA title. The new supporting cast brings invaluable experience, so this team won’t wilt in the playoffs again.

OUR CALL: 55-27.

TEAM ROSTER
NO.	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	COLLEGE	2012-2013 SALARY
22	Matt Barnes	SF	32	6-7	226	UCLA	$854,389
1	Chauncey Billups	PG	36	6-3	210	Colorado	$4,000,000
20	Marqus Blakely	SF	23	6-5	225	Vermont	$788,872
12	Eric Bledsoe	PG	22	6-1	195	Kentucky	$1,707,720
5	Caron Butler	SF	32	6-7	228	Connecticut	$8,000,000
11	Jamal Crawford	SG	32	6-5	200	Michigan	$5,000,000
34	Willie Green	SG	31	6-3	201	Detroit	$1,475,106
32	Blake Griffin	PF	23	6-10	251	Oklahoma	$7,226,892
33	Grant Hill	SF	40	6-8	225	Duke	$1,975,000
15	Ryan Hollins	C	28	7-0	240	UCLA	$854,389
24	Chris Johnson	SF	22	6-6	201	Dayton
6	DeAndre Jordan	C	24	6-11	265	Texas A&M	$10,532,977
23	Travis Leslie	PG	22	6-4	205	Georgia	$762,195
7	Lamar Odom	PF	32	6-10	230	Rhode Island	$8,200,000
3	Chris Paul	PG	27	6-0	175	Wake Forest	$17,779,458
44	Trent Plaisted	PF	26	6-11	245	Brigham Young
9	Trey Thompkins	PF	22	6-10	245	Georgia	$762,195
10	Hank Thorns	G	23	5-9	165	TCU
21	Ronny Turiaf	C	29	6-10	249	Gonzaga	$854,389