October 30, 2014

 

By Kenneth D. Miller

Assistant Managing Editor

 

Clippers head coach and President of Basketball Operations Doc Rivers began his week in his second season at the helm on a morning drive to the office calling Big Boi on Power 106 FM Radio.

 

Just how cool is that? Rivers, considered among the top two coaches in the NBA, is about to embark on another fun season in Clippers Nation as the once NBA laughing stock has clearly become the darling of Los Angeles.

 

No longer are the Clippers the ugly neighbors who would throw you down and force you to take a ticket to the game, they are Lob City — the hottest ticket in town — thanks primarily to the rising ‘Red Head’ Blake Griffin who will be considered for MVP status this season.

 

After teaming with the NBA’s best point guard Chris Paul to lead the Clippers to the third best record in the league last winning a franchise record 57 games, the once paper Clips are setting their sights as high as an NBA title this season.

 

If they get there, Griffin will be most responsible. The 6’10-250 pound beast has improved every aspect of his game from the time he arrived five years ago after his sophomore season at Oklahoma, now he is ready to take full control.

 

Already a bonafide star in the league, he finished 6th in scoring last season with a 24.1 clip, averaged almost 10 rebounds (9.5), 3.9 assist and improved his free throw shooting to a career best 71 percent.

 

He still needs to improve his three-point field goal percentage, but his 47 percent shooting from the field is among the best in the league.

 

Oh, did I mention that he plays with such a competitive edge that he wants to dunk on everybody and it’s that mojo that will make him a favorite for MVP over LeBron James this season.

 

The Clippers are not a one-man show, as long as the best playmaker in the league Paul is healthy.

 

Although Paul stunk it up against Oklahoma in the playoffs last season, his fire to be the best and win a championship will inspire him to push the Clippers past the second round of the playoffs and into the Conference Finals.

 

Paul, the good hands pitchman for State Farm Insurance, has the best hands in the league, averaging a league leading 2.85 steals and 10.7 assist to go along with his 19 points per game.

 

Another reason why the Clippers will compete for the NBA title is their team chemistry.

 

Center DeAndre Jordan was third in the NBA in block shots with 2.5, among the leaders in rebounds, and led the league with offensive rebounds with 4.2.

 

Sharpshooter Jamal Crawford came off the bench to average 18 points per game and the team added depth to the backcourt by signing former Laker Jordan Farmar.

 

This is a team that is cocky and ready to rock. The Lakers are merely an exhibition affair now.

 

Feisty Matt Barnes is back.

 

The addition of Spencer Hawes put the Clippers in a unique position with three players capable of starting most places that could end up coming off the bench.

 

Former owner Donald Sterling can only watch from afar and wonder what might have been as bubbly Steve Balmer takes over.

 

This is a team that sold for an American Sports Team record $2 billion, after for years the Clippers were not worth $2 dollars.

 

My, have times changed and in Clippers Nation, it’s All Good!

Category: Sports