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2012-13 NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers
- 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 |
| Coach: Vinny Del Negro |
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