Should the Los Angeles Clippers consider breaking up their “Big Three”, or should they stay the course in their pursuit for a championship?
Nowadays, it’s tough to get a read on the Los Angeles Clippers. For a team that seemed so close to greatness in 2015 after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling first-round series, they have regressed considerably.
Some of it is bad luck, such as when they blew a 3-1 lead to the Houston Rockets due to a Josh Smith (!) breakout performance in Game 6 that changed the momentum of that series.
They also got unlucky last season when both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul suffered injuries during their first-round matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers — which cost them another opportunity to win that elusive first championship.
But some of their problems have been self-inflicted, like when Griffin punched a personal trainer, adding a broken hand to the quadriceps tear he was rehabbing.
Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Los Angeles Clippers
DeAndre Jordan initially ditched town for the Dallas Mavericks last summer due to wanting a bigger role in the offense before ultimately changing his mind and staying with the Clippers instead.
It was reported Jordan was unhappy with Paul, especially and his abrasive attitude in how he managed the team at times, which is another reason why he wanted to leave town. This undoubtedly was an awkward time for the organization, especially coming into last season.
The Clippers are a dysfunctional bunch and one that isn’t getting any younger. Paul is 31, Jordan is 28 and Griffin is 27. This trio has never made the Western Conference Finals once in its five seasons together.
Many believe the club should blow things up and start from scratch, being that both the Spurs and the Golden State Warriors appear to have a hold on the West right now.
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
But is this necessarily the best strategy? Has the Clippers’ window for a championship closed for good?
In some ways it appears that the Clippers are holding off on an inevitable rebuild. After Griffin physically assaulted a trainer on the team, rumors started circulating about the team possibly exploring trading him.
These rumors will most likely only persist during this upcoming season, which could serve as a potential distraction for Griffin.
Jordan still can’t make a free throw to save his life and remains extremely limited on the offensive end. Outside of dunks, put-backs, and shooting within five feet of the basket, he can’t be depended to contribute that much on offense.
His defensive prowess and tenacious rebounding style are important, but in many ways he is a very limited player.
Then there’s Paul, the tormented leader of the squad who continues to be the butt of jokes when it comes to players choking at big stages. He is still an exceptional player, and one that has played very well since coming over to the Clippers in 2011.
But it’s fair to question how much he has left in the tank, and if his speed might start to decline as he gets older.
While it might make sense for the Clippers to blow it up, keeping the team together would actually be what’s best for them. One thing the Clippers have is incredible chemistry, especially the connections Paul makes often with Griffin on Jordan on alley-oops.
Griffin is a double-double threat with a reliable jump shot, and Paul is still one of the best two-way players in the game.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
While Jordan is definitely not as skilled on offense as these two, his mere presence on the defensive end is huge for the Clippers.
His unreal length allows him to challenge all kinds of shots, and he continues to pound the glass on both sides of the floor thanks to his massive 6-foot-11 frame.
What these three really need is more support and guys to take the pressure off them. And that responsibility falls on their front office to get them that.
Also, as the Clippers know from first-hand experience, one or two injuries to a team can change everything. The Spurs are an older squad that constantly rests players to try to avoid them from getting hurt, and many forget about the number of issues Stephen Curry has had with his ankles.
Right now, it makes more sense for the Clippers to hang on to their “Big Three” and focus more on building around them – not tearing them apart.
It might not win them a title in the end, but they are still one of the best teams in the West. And they owe it to these three guys to try to improve the supporting cast as best they can, and hope for the best for the next few years.
If this happens, they could definitely break through and win a championship. The hunger is there, especially for Paul. And they still have one of the best coaches in the league in Doc Rivers, who has said before that he doesn’t want to break this team apart.
It might not be what every fan of the Clippers wants, but it’s the right call. Too many teams have fallen victim to overreacting after disappointing seasons, making a bunch of trades, and ending up in far worse shape than they were before.
More hoops habit: 50 Greatest NBA Players Of The 1970s
The Clippers should continue to avoid this mindset and instead concentrate on finding the right players to put next to their “Big Three.” If they successfully do this, they will absolutely remain in contention for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.