Los Angeles Clippers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
1. Clippers to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2011
This comes down to simple math.
The Clippers lost their starting backcourt and No. 1 defensive stopper this offseason. Their replacements, while all adequate in their own right, don’t equal what’s gone out the door. But most importantly, several teams who missed out on the playoff action have improved noticeably.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have bolstered their stocks with the addition of All-Star Jimmy Butler, and explosive point guard Jeff Teague. The Denver Nuggets, who missed the playoffs by just a game, have added All-Star forward Paul Millsap via free agency.
Furthermore, the New Orleans Pelicans will now have a full season of having the All-Star frontcourt duo of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins working in tandem together.
And that’s not to mention the improvement that’s occurred with playoff participants such as the Rockets, the Oklahoma City Thunder and even the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
As presently constituted, the Clippers are going to have their work cut out for them to scrape through to the postseason. With teams both above and below them from last seasons standings improving, Doc Rivers and his coaching staff are going to need to drain every last bit out of this playing group if they wish to advance past the regular season.
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But as it stands at present, don’t expect the Clippers to push for a seventh consecutive postseason run.