Top 5 Seeds in Western Conference for 2012-2013 NBA Season (Part 4) – NBA Feature
Los Angeles Clippers: Seeded 4
Although it was difficult to decide the fourth seed in the Western Conference due to the immense competition among teams, after many of them had a good offseason and free agency, the Los Angeles Clippers seem to have the edge over the rest of the pack. The top three of the West are a lock and rather easy to determine. However, the next two are quite difficult and the Clippers seem to be the clear favourites out of the rest of the teams to perform the best and take the 4th seed in the West.
The Clippers have had a franchise turnaround ever since they landed Chris Paul at the beginning of last season. Paul is an accomplished player and one of the best point guards in the game. But more important, he is the type of point guard that the Clippers needed. The Clippers have enough firepower in their arsenal and do not need their point guard to score or make big plays. Rather, they need a point guard with experience and a high basketball IQ, who can control the pace of the game and lead the team on the court. And CP3 is the answer of all their prayers.
Paul led the Clippers to the fifth seed in the Western Conference last season, only a few games behind the fourth seeded Memphis Grizzlies. He brought the excitement and following back to the Clipper franchise, helped develop a culture and team philosophy on the court and acted as a leader off the court. Under his leadership, the Clippers defeated the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs, but were defeated by the dominating San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semi Finals.
This season, the Clippers are looking better than before with a sense of confidence and excitement in the team and a series of new acquisitions that have given them the depth that they essentially required. They added Lamar Odom and veteran Grant Hill to the roster over the summer. They also acquired guard Jamal Crawford, who played for the Portland Trail Blazers last season, and added Matt Barnes to the line-up in September. The Clippers also signed a contract extension with starting forward Blake Griffin and re-signed veteran guard Chauncey Billups to the team.
With all the new acquisitions, the Clippers are now a team loaded with talent. Paul, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will form the team core next season, and there is a high likelihood that Crawford starts in the back court with Paul. Then the Clippers have Odom to back up the front court and Matt Barnes to add some defensive and hustle play to the team. Chauncey Billups will also return to the line-up sometime in November or December, giving the Clippers a sound and veteran backup point guard with extensive playoff experience.
The Clippers have all the required ingredients to have a big season and make a deep run for the playoffs, and it is now up to them how they respond to the occasion.
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