Los Angeles Clippers: Clippers Continue To Disappoint

At least the Los Angeles Clippers are being consistent at taking accountability for achieving a new low in inconsistency.

When the Los Angeles Clippers won two games straight against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, spirits were high within the organization and there was renewed optimism.

Perhaps something finally clicked with the Clippers and they finally were back to playing the brand of basketball that had them ranked as favorites to come out of the Western Conference before the seasons start.

Then the Clippers were back-hand smacked by the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday and those seconds of optimism were replaced by weeks of reality. While the Grizzlies 107-91 home win against the Clippers was business as usual for the West’s top team standing at a record of 12-2, it was another truth session for the Clippers.

Truth is, the Clippers aren’t very good right now and there’s a definite possibility that they’ve regressed.

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The Clippers have to rethink their excuses for what’s been a disappointing season thus far. First it was trust issues that were holding the reigning Pacific Division champions from unleashing the style of winning basketball fans have grown accustomed to in recent years.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul has taken accountability for his fluctuation of aggression on offense and even Blake Griffin has shared part of the blame, explaining to ESPN reporters:

"“I need to do a better job of mixing it up and attacking more and not settling for jump shots.”"

For a moment let’s just call a circle a circle and a square a square. The Clippers are not a good basketball team, and furthermore they haven’t been constructed to contend in the Western Conference. That’s the absolute truth and it becomes more apparent when taking a glance at the Clippers depth chart from top to bottom.

Doc Rivers recently addressed the Clippers lacking in certain areas to LA Times:

"“I have yet to meet the perfect team, if you could show me that, I would love to see it. In this day and time, I guess every position has to be great. That’s just not the truth. Usually, there’s a position where guys have to fill for, and that’s ours right now.”"

It shouldn’t have taken a beating from the Grizz to finally take a closer and more honest look at the Clippers.

Forget the fact that none of the Clippers small forwards could be starters on any contending team in the league, vacate any disappointment stemming from hoping Blake Griffin would continue his MVP level of play achieved late last season and despite the fact that Paul is forced to play within a role that feels unnatural, the Clippers just aren’t very good this season.

Their game against the Grizzlies further revealed some harsh truths about this team. Last season the Clips posted a a 102.1 defensive rating, good enough to be tied for seventh place with the Grizzlies, coincidentally enough.

This season they’re in the 20th spot with a 104.7 defensive rating, while the Grizzlies sit in fourth giving up 100.6 points per 100 possessions. Not to mention after being out-rebounded by 20 in the game, the Clippers are last in offensive rebounding and rank 29th out of 30 teams in overall boards.

You need more than bust at the small forward position, rebounding is detrimental, defense is imperative however a winning attitude and the will to not allow these deficiencies to defeat them is what the Clippers need right now.

It’s been tough to tell if this comatose team will wake up to actually have a pulse, and right now all the Clippers truly need is heart. They seem to just not give a damn — yet.

Next: 25 Greatest Scorers of All-Time--Did A Clipper Make The Cut?

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