I posted something about where I thought the Clippers needed to get to record-wise to have a solid position in the playoffs (40-26). As I typed it up, I realized at the end, unless they really feasted upon 18 games vs the bad or below avg teams, it might be a struggle to get to 40 wins. I had them going 13-5 and obviously no one game can be a solid sign but the Cleveland game did worry me in regards to getting to that 13-5 record. In reality, they will probably need to get to 15-3 to offset the games vs great teams. I think the divide between playoff and non-playoff teams this year in the West conference is more blurred than the past few years. Last year, you had New Orleans, Memphis, and Houston battling it out for the 7th-8th seeds but that was still a three game separation. Basically 9 teams for 8 spots. The year before it was even a bigger separation between 8th spot and 9th spot -- 8 games separation. This year is far different, there are 2 games separating spots 5 to 11. 2 good playoff worthy teams and 1 decent team will be left out of the race. I do think Utah will fade and Houston will not keep up with its current pace but still leaves a Memphis team who will get ZBo back, a Portland team that is pretty deep, and a dangerous Minnesota team (that might be one piece away).
So when I considered all this, I start to get very worried that the Billups injury was a bad sign and Clippers could stumble as they seek to find that 15 pts a game from Billups and his intangibles. The margin for error in the West is razor thin this year. Pre CP3 trade, I was just hoping for a playoff seed (7 or 8 was fine with me). Post CP3 trade, I was thinking 3 through 5 playoff seed. Now I'm worried that things could go downhill.
Just wondering what you all honestly, objectively think...
0 recs | 18 comments
It's Western Conference Final or bust for me
I have to admit that I have very high expectations of this team. When I see the Clippers roster on paper, it is one of the top 5 in the league along with Miami, OKC, Lakers, and Chicago.
dan73962 - February 10, 2012
Lakers?
They don’t have a good team. Their bench is horrible.
Hengtime81 - February 10, 2012
One could make the same point
about the Clippers also.
JackduhSun - February 10, 2012
Mo, Reggie and Keyon > random scrubs on LAL bench
BelgianClipper - February 11, 2012
Wasn't comparing benches
but one could point out easy flaws in the Clipper’s bench, and Chauncy going down definitely didn’t help.
JackduhSun - February 12, 2012
the best frontcourt in the league will do that though..unfortunately
GOOD THING kobe doesnt know how to use them
Dawool Huh - February 11, 2012
the Lakers is hardly top 10 in the league. Let alone 5.
XXDC2XX - February 11, 2012
I expect them to win the Pacific Division
but this is assuming they address their SG/SF needs and some other WC team doesn’t make some blockbuster trade (Bynum for Howard for instance).
ClipperChuck - February 10, 2012
wow I am a little surprised
Granted I am newer to the Clipper family than most of you (moved to SoCal in 2010) but I guess I expected there to be more pessimism towards the final product (given the Billups injury and very lackluster performance vs Cleveland that could be taken as a sign to come). Couple that with the organization’s history, I just assumed I’d see a different breakdown.
Also, I assumed in my 40-26 post and this one that the roster stays as is with no trade or JR Smith signing (which is why I have a new sense or worry about them not reaching 40 wins). In reality, considering Clips do not want to give up another 1st rd pick (only one they could give up would be 2014) or Bledsoe or MoWill, I doubt any team is going to gift them an answer to their bench or SG problem (I consider trade exemptions meaningless when you are dealing with this particular situation). Two teams engage in a trade because each believes they are getting something better out of it. I do not know a team that would take Foye or Gomes, or Cook and believe they are getting a good deal. Second, JR Smith isnt coming to LA (at least not the Clips side of LA). He went to China cause he was afraid he wasnt going to earn any money this year. That doesnt exactly speak well of him taking less money to play for a good team like the Clips where he will get his minutes vs a avg or worse team that can offer him more money. So to sum it up, get used to this roster because it is what it is.
djmccaslin - February 10, 2012
this roster is better than almost all rosters in the west.
The cavs game was just that one game, a bad one. OKC lost to SAC last night and to Washington not long ago, those loses happen.
XXDC2XX - February 10, 2012
ah you beat me to it
chrisd - February 10, 2012
as far as the Cleveland game, good teams lose to bad teams often in this league
every bad team plays the top teams like a playoff match, especially at home with their crowd going crazy. It’s like Sacramento beating OKC last night (Washington also beat OKC). No reason to be worried about 1 loss to a bad team, it’s bound to happen. GSW who aren’t that bad, beat Chicago and Miami this year.
chrisd - February 10, 2012
It was the black uniforms that caused Sacto to win
They channeled the power of Doug Christie and Bobby Jackson from 2001.
Chris McD - February 10, 2012
You, my friend, need to join Club Optimism
We Clippers fans can be a real pessimistic bunch considering so many heartbreaks, but we really do have the pieces to go deep in the playoffs even with Billups sidelined. It’s only been one loss to an under .500 team. I’d be more worried if we hit a 3 loss slump.
Chris McD - February 10, 2012
Well considering the schedule
You could see a trend of 3 out of 4 losses with Philly tonight, Charlotte tomorrow and at Dallas on Monday. And looking even more forward in the schedule, possibility of 5 losses out of the next 7 games.
djmccaslin - February 10, 2012
That is looking to far down the line
The clippers have the ability to win against any team they play. I think we can definitely pick up 2 of the 3 games to finish the road trip. And then the team needs to win tough games at home like it has done all season.
bestclipfan - February 10, 2012
April 27 I see the Clippers on...
Fox Sports? TNT? ESPN?
DonaldSterlingSucks - February 10, 2012
They will figuire it out
usually they put the games on My13, but since we will be in the playoffs we might get priority. They will likely decide a few weeks before.
bestclipfan - February 10, 2012
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