The Los Angeles Clippers are still looking for their first conference finals appearance in franchise history. Is the 2016-17 NBA season the year they finally do it?
This is the golden age of Los Angeles Clippers basketball, but without a single conference finals appearance to its name, this once lowly franchise is still chasing prominence. With stars like Blake Griffin and Chris Paul leading the way, the 2016-17 season is one of the utmost importance.
Every year, there’s been something holding the Clippers back. From Vinny Del Negro to the Donald Sterling controversy to injury woes to bad luck to cringeworthy choke jobs, Lob City has never lobbed its way to a conference finals appearance, let alone a long-awaited championship.
Heading into their sixth season together, it’s do or die time for Griffin, CP3 and company. Teams don’t often have the luxury of keeping the same core forever, and for a franchise still in search of its first conference finals appearance, it may be time to move on if the front office feels this current roster can’t get the job done.
With the Golden State Warriors adding Kevin Durant, the San Antonio Spurs being the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers looking to defend their improbable title, the timing has never been worse for the Clippers.
Related Story: Los Angeles Lakers: 2016-17 Season Outlook
Can they shock the masses and bust their reputations as chokers? Can they prove themselves as legitimate contenders, or at least make a conference finals appearance? Here’s a look at Lob City’s 2016-17 season preview.
2015-16 Vitals
53-29, 2nd in Pacific Division, 4th in Western Conference
104.5 PPG (7th)/100.2 OPP PPG (7th)
108.3 Offensive Rating (8th)/103.6 Defensive Rating (6th)
Team Leaders
Scoring: Chris Paul, 19.5 PPG
Rebounding: DeAndre Jordan, 13.8 RPG
Assists: Chris Paul, 10.0 APG
Steals: Chris Paul, 2.1 SPG
Blocks: DeAndre Jordan, 2.3 BPG
Honors
Sixth Man Of The Year Award: Jamal Crawford
All-NBA First Team: DeAndre Jordan
All-NBA Second Team: Chris Paul
NBA All-Defensive First Team: DeAndre Jordan
NBA All-Defensive First Team: Chris Paul
Next: Roster