Los Angeles Clippers: 2015-16 Season Outlook
Three Key Storylines (cont.)
3. Can The Clippers Really Win The West?
If the Clippers get the Indiana Pacers Lance Stephenson and not the Charlotte Hornets Lance Stephenson, there’s no reason to think Lob City’s bench will be a problem again in 2015-16. A Clippers team with a competent bench is a terrifying thought, especially since this team won 56 games without one last year.
But every playoff team in the Western Conference got better this summer too, so even addressing those areas of weakness guarantees the Clippers nothing.
More from LA Clippers
- NBA Trades: This wild Mavs, Clippers, and 76ers deal must happen ASAP
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- Can the Clippers realistically sign Chris Paul after shocking waive news?
- NBA Rumors: This playoff team is now the leader to land Westbrook
- NBA Rumors: Westbrook may have played his final game for the Clippers
The defending champion Golden State Warriors didn’t lose anyone other than David Lee, who was barely a part of the rotation anyway. The always dangerous San Antonio Spurs added LaMarcus Aldridge and David West. The Houston Rockets, led by a bonafide MVP candidate and coming off a conference finals appearance, added another playmaker in Ty Lawson.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will (fingers crossed) have a healthy Kevin Durant, immediately launching them into the contender category, while the Memphis Grizzlies will be a tough out no matter who they play. Making it through the Western Conference playoffs in 2016 might be a more epic and bloody journey than Frodo returning the One Ring to Mordor.
If the question is whether the Clippers can win the West, the answer — for the third season in a row — is yes. But if the question is whether the Clippers will win the West…well, that answer might be the same as it’s been for three years now as well.
Next: Best, Worst Case Scenarios