Los Angeles Clippers: 2015-16 Season Outlook

Predictions

As always, the truth lies somewhere in between the best and worst case scenario. The Los Angeles Clippers are far too talented to go home empty-handed in the first round, but even if their bench issues have been resolved, it’s hard to pick them outright to win the West over the Warriors or Spurs at this point.

Unfortunately for the Thunder, Kevin Durant’s foot still feels like a cause for concern, and in Billy Donovan‘s first year as a head coach, the Clippers seem like a more complete, cohesive team. Losing Josh Smith hurts the Rockets more than people think, and the Ty Lawson addition isn’t a picture-perfect fit by any means.

But as the defending champs, the Warriors have to get the benefit of the doubt over Lob City, and the Spurs’ addition of LaMarcus Aldridge puts them in that same elite tier. That’s not to say the Clippers can’t win it all, because they very well could. The 2015-16 season might actually be their best chance of doing so.

But until we actually see it happen, Lob City feels like a team with its ceiling being a brutally tough out in the semifinals or Western Conference Finals. The West is just that stacked.

Next: NBA: Complete Offseason Grades For All 30 Teams

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