Los Angeles Clippers: 30 Team Previews in 30 Days

2009-2010 Statistics

Finished 29-53, third in Pacific Division, 12th in Western Conference

Postseason

Missed postseason

Additions and Re-Signings

Al-Farouq Aminu via draft, Willie Warren via draft, Eric Bledsoe via draft, Brian Cook via free agency, Rasual Butler via re-signing, Ryan Gomes via free agency, Craig Smith via re-signing, and Randy Foye via re-signing.

Losses

Drew Gooden via free agency, Steve Blake via free agency, and Travis Outlaw via free agency.

The Los Angeles Clippers don't have much of a feel for the postseason. They have four appearances since moving from San Diego in 1984 and only one second-round appearance since then. Their last playoff appearance came in 2005 when they finished 47-35, their highest win output since they were the Buffalo Braves, and went seven games with Phoenix in the quarterfinals.

The past few seasons haven't been kind to the Clippers as they have won less than 30 games in the past three seasons. Chances are, they won't toil in obscurity for much longer if rookie Blake Griffin begins to produce in his first season after a knee-shattering injury in preseason knocked him out for the entire regular season last year.

Not only that, but with a new coach in Vinny Del Negro on the sideline, the Clippers might get a new philosophy when it comes down to actually playing team basketball. Los Angeles saw themselves lost in many games last season as they would rush jump shots, not use the shot clock to their advantage, and play all-around sloppy basketball.

A core that consists of Chris Kaman, Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, and now Blake Griffin should not be winning only 29 games. Starting center Chris Kaman earned his first all-star appearance after producing a career-high 19 points per game to go along with nine rebounds. Kaman's game features a well-rounded post game coupled with a decent mid-range shot that should put opposing center's in fits if the team can find him for easy scores.

Baron Davis, the starting point guard, shoulders most of the blame. There were too many instances last season when Davis took awkward jumpers early in the shot clock, with most of the shots being considerably difficult. The difficult shot selection explains his 40 percent shooting and his near career low of 15 points per game.

Despite the eight assists per game, Davis could average as many as 10 if he feels out defenses and looks for open teammates rather than shooting difficult shots. His three turnovers per game didn't help either as the team tied for second in turnovers at an absurd 15 per game. Only the Timberwolves were worse when it came to turnovers.

The main reason the Clippers finished 26th in offensive production at 96 points per game was their free-throw production. At 27th in the league in free throws made per game, Los Angeles dug their own grave by not driving and attempting to draw fouls despite having two dynamic players in Davis and Eric Gordon.

As the team's starting shooting guard, Gordon gives the Clippers a bright spot. At 17 points per game on 45 percent shooting, with a three-point shot to go with it, the now third-year player should start to become the offensive leader for this team and hopefully, increase the team's overall offensive production.

Gordon averaged nearly two three-pointers per game last season on 37 percent. Coupled with Davis in the back court, who at one time in his career averaged nearly three-pointers per game, they could form one of the more volatile, dynamic duos in the league. Both are impressive shooters, high-flyers, and excellent finishers, and can easily put opposing defenders in a tizzy trying to defend the two of them.

Their first-round draft pick in Al-Farouq Aminu out of Wake Forest University is set to become the team's new starting small forward. Newly acquired Ryan Gomes could start, but if Aminu can transfer his college game to the NBA, then the Clippers should have no problem in starting two rookies. Aminu averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds as a Deamon Deacon and showed off an impressive ability to get to the free throw line and to create mismatches on defense.

The Clippers can also surprisingly say that they have a relatively deep bench to go with a talented starting lineup. Role players—Rasual Butler, Randy Foye, and DeAndre Jordan—each show off impressive abilities at their positions. Butler can defend and knock down jump shots, Foye contains youth to go along with a knack for scoring and passing, and Jordan can block shots and rebound.

Although the Clippers starting lineup and bench is a little too young for a postseason appearance, they do have the potential to become a dangerous team come summer time. If Coach Del Negro can fit in a newly explosive-minded Clippers team with a smarter philosophy, then they should see a postseason within the next three to four years.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Baron Davis

SG-Eric Gordon

SF-Al-Farouq Aminu

PF-Blake Griffin

C-Chris Kaman

Prediction

32-50

This is part 12 in a 30-day series of previews for each NBA team for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. My profile contains the other teams that I have already previewed.