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5 Teams With The Most To Prove In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers with guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers with guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Clippers

At this point, it’s now or never for this current Los Angeles Clippers squad.

Despite back-to-back MVP-caliber years from All-Stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, something always seems to go wrong for the Clips in their quest to reach the Western Conference Finals, be it injury, controversy or just a full-on collapse in the playoffs.

The talent is clearly there as DeAndre Jordan has developed into a star in his own right, J.J. Redick is consistently one of the league’s best three point marksmen and J-Crossover is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

For some reason, though, they continue to disappoint and can’t be viewed as anything more than a second-round playoff exit.

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    • Doc Rivers and company essentially made no moves this offseason, opting to retain the current roster and once again bank on their dynamic trio to break through this season.

    However, the pressure is on more than it has been in previous season as both Paul and Griffin’s contracts expire this offseason and there is a slight but still significant chance that both could go elsewhere if they come up short yet again this season.

    With Durant leaving OKC for Golden State, the Clippers have the opportunity to become the third (although distant third) best team in the West behind them and the San Antonio Spurs.

    Being only a year removed from ousting the Spurs in the first round, they should have some confidence in their ability to at least reach the Western Conference Finals, but even that is fleeting as San Antonio has vastly upgraded their roster since then.

    Lob City can no longer be just a show and has got to prove it can contend for a title in the loaded Western Conference in the immediate future. Their distant future depends on it.

    Next: No Durant? No Problem