Clippers vs. Lakers: Chris Paul's Whining Shows Clippers Aren't Ready to Win Big

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were supposed to be the nucleus of the Los Angeles Clippers' turnaround this season. For the first time, there was hope and optimism surrounding the "other" Hollywood team. But a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and a verbal spat at the end of the game with Paul and Pau Gasol shows just how much work there is for this team to do. 

The incident involving Paul and Gasol came about after Gasol rubbed Paul's head when the two were walking down the court. It looked innocent enough, like something you would see a teammate do to another teammate, but apparently Paul did not feel that way. 

Here is what Paul said after the game, via FOX 40 in Sacramento:

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"Don't touch the top of my head like I'm one of your kids," Paul said.

"I don't know what his intention was, I don't know if he's got kids, but I'm not one of them. I'll treat him like little Chris."

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He is trying to find something in this whole thing that is not there. Gasol meant nothing malicious by it, yet Paul had to make it into a much bigger deal than it was. 

Gasol has a great reputation around the league. He plays hard, he's a good teammate, doesn't cause any problems off the court, so to think that he was trying to do something to offend Paul is far-fetched. 

The Clippers and Paul need to get their act together to figure out why they blew a fourth quarter lead to the Lakers instead of worrying about who is rubbing your head, or any other mundane problem like that. 

This is an important season for Paul. He is heading into free agency after the year, and if he can lead the Clippers to the postseason, it will only increase his value. But his temper needs to be reigned in, or else he is not likely to accomplish his personal and professional goals. 

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