Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
6. Los Angeles Clippers
Key Additions: Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith
Once again, the Los Angeles Clippers failed to reach their first Western Conference Finals in team history. Except, this time, they were one win away from actually achieving that goal. In other words, they were close. Too close for it not to happen.
Nevertheless, after watching the Rockets erase a 3-1 lead in their second round playoff series, the Clippers went back to work this offseason, managed to retain DeAndre Jordan – after all the drama – and even reloaded some.
The additions of Paul Pierce and Josh Smith will likely have more of an impact than that of Lance Stephenson initially, but if the latter ever rediscovers himself, the Clippers might have an element that they didn’t have last season. Of course, they’ll actually have a capable bench this season, but Stephenson has the ability to be a real game-changer.
The Clippers will still be all about Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The most important thing, though, is that they’re also not ONLY going to be about them. Not anymore.
Los Angeles now has a team, a complete one even. This is the best roster that Doc Rivers has had during his first few years on the job. Let’s see what he can make of it.
Next: Houston Rockets