Los Angeles Clippers' 5 Keys to Winning the Pacific Division Again in 2014-15
The Los Angeles Clippers didn't make any major changes to the roster in the offseason for a good reason—they have all the pieces in place to win their third straight Pacific Division title as is.
But that doesn't mean reinforcements won't help their cause further.
The changes they made are upgrades that make them a better team. Spencer Hawes will bring an intelligent basketball mind coupled with versatility that will allow him to step in to either the 4 or 5 spot with ease. Jordan Farmar is in the prime of his career and motivated to show he's a bona fide rotation player.
Fans are excited about what the 2014-15 squad brings to the table. When looking at the overall picture, the question is not whether Los Angeles can win the division; rather, what steps must they take to avoid letting it slip away?
Here's what needs to happen in order for the Clips to be atop the standings at season's end.
Use Spencer Hawes Correctly
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Hawes is going to take on a major role within the framework of head coach Doc Rivers' rotation. That means that his performance will be critical in maintaining the relative success of the past two seasons.
He should continue to trend upward after putting together what could be considered his best NBA season in 2013-14. With the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers, Hawes played in 80 games, starting 78, and put up a career-best per-36 average of 15.3 points per game.
It didn't stop with scoring. The former Washington Husky added 9.6 rebounds per 36 minutes and shot 41.6 percent from the three-point line on 3.9 attempts per game.
The big man brings a dynamic set of skills that complement those of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. If he's on the floor with one of them, he'll stretch the defense and give the Clippers another type of weapon while freeing up space for the other.
"Signing Spencer Hawes was easily the smartest move the Clippers made over the summer (well, besides the change in ownership, but that's another topic entirely). Hawes gives the team the kind of high-end backup it was missing last season behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and has the versatility to play with either player because of his three-point shooting that makes him a valuable floor spacer."
In addition to this spot-on analysis, Hawes will take some pressure off the frontcourt starters and allow them to play with more freedom underneath.
Avoid Complacency
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The Clippers are arguably the most talented team in the Pacific Division. The Golden State Warriors are their stiffest competition for the most talented moniker, but Los Angeles boasted two All-Stars last year in Griffin and Chris Paul. The addition of the league-leading rebounder in Jordan puts Los Angeles over the top.
If the Clippers are the most talented, they'll need to avoid the pitfalls of complacency that come with knowing they're good. It can be a dangerous mentality. If they're not careful, that mindset can cause them to lose games they otherwise shouldn't.
J.J. Redick simplified Los Angeles' approach when speaking with Jeff Caplan of NBA.com.
"“We talked about a championship all last season. We came up short,” Redick said. “That will still be our goal this season.”
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There's little doubt the rest of his teammates have the same goal. The world will get an early look at whether they're ready to make good on those aspirations on the season opener Oct. 30 when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in a nationally-televised game.
Stay Healthy
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Injuries derailed the Clippers' progress last season, but they overcame them enough to come up with a franchise-best 57 wins in 2013-14. In order to match that feat or improve, avoiding a catastrophic injury to the core group of players will be important.
A bulging disk in the lower back sidelined Redick for 47 games. Jamal Crawford had one of the best seasons of his career with his second Sixth Man of the Year award, but he sat out with injuries to his Achilles and calf; both players need to remain in the rotation and out of the trainer's room.
And then there's Paul, who will continue to be the focal point of the team in every aspect.
The point guard's list of nagging ailments from an AC joint separation, various knee issues and a sprained thumb continue to mount. Given his style of play, he'll likely suffer more setbacks. But Rivers is smart enough to know the Clippers can't afford a major one.
That's why rest, balance and keeping guys fresh on a nightly basis will be critical.
DeAndre Jordan Takes a Leap Forward
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The second half of the Clippers' dynamic duo of high flyers has to improve, despite putting together a career year last season.
Per Basketball Reference, his player efficiency rating of 18.2 was nearly a full point better than his previous best and over two greater than his career average of 16.1. That's indicative of Jordan doing just about everything better in his sixth NBA campaign.
The good news for the Clippers is that he's in position to do so under Rivers' tutelage and alongside Hawes.
Rivers has a way of getting through to players, as evidenced by Blake Griffin's career season and third-place finish in MVP voting last year. Jordan took a giant step forward as well, and now he'll need to do it again.
Spurn off-Court Distractions
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The Donald Sterling saga likely cost the Clippers a shot at NBA glory and a trip to the NBA Finals last postseason. The eye test was clear in that regard.
Furthermore, the timing of it all suggests that the controversy involving the ousted owner played a major part in the 4-2 loss at the hands of the Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals. Though it was beyond the players' control, Rivers would do well to emphasize focus, beginning with the regular season.
Another Sterling situation isn't likely in the cards, but other things will tug at the players' minds. Rivers has to be extra vigilant of anything that threatens the end goal of winning an NBA championship and coming away with the division title.
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