Los Angeles Clippers: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

The Los Angeles Clippers lost their franchise player in Chris Paul and face a tougher Western Conference. Here are five keys to them returning to the playoffs in 2017-18.

The Los Angeles Clippers will have a new starting lineup for the 2017-18 NBA season. Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Luc Mbah a Moute are all on different teams. Even Blake Griffin re-signing could not prevent the majority of the starting lineup from turning over.

While the starting lineup will be full of fresh faces, the Clippers will have similar goals for the upcoming season as they did the year before. Although the team will be hard-pressed to earn home-court advantage again, it is still clearly gunning for a playoff berth.

Despite the roster turnover, the Clippers are still in good shape to make a postseason push in this coming season. With that potential playoff berth in mind, here is a look at five key elements for this year’s Clippers squad to focus on as they look to return to the Western Conference playoffs.