Is it finally the Los Angeles Clippers' time to reach the NBA finals? Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy believes this is the year the Clippers supplant the San Antonio Spurs for a spot in the 2015 NBA Finals.
The Clippers franchise has never made it beyond the Western Conference semifinals. While Los Angeles made three straight postseason appearances since the arrival of Chris Paul, the team has been unable to get over the hump with losses to the San Antonio, Memphis and, most recently, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kennedy, though, believes this will be the season that changes.
"I think this team will be much better in the second year under (coach) Doc Rivers, I believe they have two legit MVP candidates in Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, they have arguably the best bench in the league, DeAndre Jordan is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate," Kennedy wrote Wednesday, "and they addressed their lack of frontcourt depth by adding Spencer Hawes. I like what they have done.
"The Spurs are always in the mix in the West, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if they made the Finals again. I just think the Clippers are the better team. I know I'm not alone. A lot of analysts have picked Clippers over Cavs in the Finals. I'm not there yet, but I do think L.A. can get there if everything goes right."
Los Angeles does have a deep bench, which is crucial for success in the postseason. Some of the names coming off the bench for the Clippers include Hawes, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Jordan Farmar, Hedo Turkoglu, Glen Davis and Reggie Bullock.
More importantly, the team has a whole season under their belt with Rivers. Paul is arguably the best point guard in the game, and Griffin - only 25 years old - continues to improve every season and continues to add to his game, which has him turning into a more multi-dimensional player each year.
It's hard to see Los Angeles losing to Memphis, Oklahoma City or Golden State again in the postseason. Barring injuries, the Western Conference finals at the very least look set: Los Angeles versus San Antonio.
