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NBA: Inside the Critical Season for the Clippers and Thunder

By Gabriel Gonzalez

December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) attempts a shot but is blocked by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half at Staples Center. Thunder defeat the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) attempts a shot but is blocked by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half at Staples Center. Thunder defeat the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Both the Clippers and Thunder are contenders in the West, so why is it their NBA future looks to be very different after this year?

On Thursday night, Chris Paul finds DeAndre Jordan for a critical slam in the fourth quarter over the San Antonio Spurs. Minutes later, the Clippers will have their biggest victory of the season against the second best team in the NBA.

Twenty-four hours later, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will fall just short of a 10th straight victory at home.

Both teams on paper are in title contention, but the current state of the NBA has both clubs on the cusp of an immediate rebuild.

Such is the world the Golden State Warriors have made in the last year.

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The chances of LeBron James ever winning another title are hotly debated despite the fact that the Cavs are ahead of the field in the East this season.

The Spurs have the second best record in the NBA, led by their veteran Big Three and fueled by young talent in Kawhi Leonard and new addition LaMarcus Aldridge.

And yet, coach Gregg Popovich is talking about how the Warriors are “unsolvable.”

Which brings us back to the Clippers and Thunder. Both teams could look very different next year unless a title finds its way into their hands this June.

In Los Angeles, all signs point to this season being the make-or-break year for Doc Rivers‘ group. The re-signing of DeAndre Jordan was key, as they looked as if they had ascended to the next level when they had 3-1 lead in the conference semifinals and a victory over the defending champions.

Instead, the club is in turmoil. They have been without Blake Griffin since Christmas. Chris Paul has kept the team afloat with inspired play but is overshadowed by the controversy of Griffin breaking his hand in a fight with the team’s equipment manager.

Even after their statement victory over the Spurs, the water cooler topic the next day is the now deleted tweet showing Blake high-fiving said manager with the hashtag “family.”

After being together so many years, this could be it for the Clippers core group and the rumor is that Griffin would be the piece that goes if something big doesn’t happen this postseason.

The Thunder have free-agency looming over them. Kevin Durant can go wherever he wants this summer. In a years time, Russell Westbrook will have just as many options.

The Thunder have come closer than the Clippers to that elusive title, falling to the Heat in 2012 and losing in the conference final in their last playoff appearance.

Last season, saw the team without their two superstars for the majority of the season and the Thunder missed the playoffs entirely as a result.

The Thunder sit in third while the Clippers are fourth in the West.  Both teams are on pace to stay there as they remain a few games ahead/behind of fifth-seeded Memphis and second-seeded San Antonio.

After the trade deadline, the Clippers big move has been adding Jeff Green. The Thunder in contrast have Randy Foye on the roster.

Assuming the postseason plays out as fans expect, the big four of the West will run the table in the first round. From there, the Warriors will have to play two of the other three in order to compete for the championship again.

At this point, the Clippers and Thunder have to play with the belief that they can upset the Spurs and Warriors in the postseason. In a seven game series, there is enough time to make adjustments for teams as talented as these two.

Next: The Winners and Losers From The NBA Trade Deadline

Golden State is the rightful favorite, but if the other teams don’t compete with the belief that they can overcome the challenge, then what is there left to play for?

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