10 Bold Predictions for Los Angeles Clippers and Blake Griffin's Second Season

The Los Angeles Clippers managed to make some waves in the NBA ocean last season. After a horrendous start, the Clips found their stride and morphed into one of the most entertaining and dangerous teams in the league. 

Human highlight reel Blake Griffin has breathed life back into a franchise best known for being an NBA punchline. Now, the Clippers are ready to wash themselves clean of the losing stench that has surrounded the franchise since its inception. Here are 10 bold predictions for the Clips and their young superstar in 2011-12.

1. The Clippers Will Trade for Either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard

It has been taken for granted that one or both of NBA superstars Chris Paul and Dwight Howard will end up playing in Los Angeles by the end of the 2012 season.

What not enough people are saying is that at least one (and maybe, just maybe both) of them will do so in a Clippers uniform. 

No team in the NBA has the potent combination of quality young talent, appealing draft choices, and cap flexibility that the Clippers do to get a major deal done. 

If push comes to shove and the Clippers can only trade for one of these two, they will choose to acquire Paul, given that the team is ready to commit long-term to young center DeAndre Jordan.

Adding the best point guard in the NBA to feed Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon will make the Clippers a force to be reckoned with.

2. Chris Kaman Will Be Dealt

It's been a good run for the Kaveman.

The longest tenured Clipper has made a playoff appearance and earned an All-Star nod during his time in L.A. However, Kaman has an expiring contract in excess of $12 million that is a very attractive trade chip.

The Clips will look to move that contract, and it would certainly prove to be a key component in any deal for Paul or Howard.

Multiple Clippers Will Be Selected as All-Stars

The Clippers will have at least two players representing them in the All-Star game for the first time since the franchise departed from Buffalo.

With the mass exodus of All-Stars to the Eastern Conference, there are slots up for grabs in the West.

Blake Griffin is a no-brainer to make his second consecutive appearance in the All-Star Game. Paul and/or Howard will most certainly join him if they come to the Clippers.

But even if the Clips miss out on D12 and CP3, Eric Gordon will make his All-Star debut in 2012. With Deron Williams now in the East and Chris Paul possibly being there too by the time All-Star Weekend rolls around, the only locks at the guard spots in the West are Kobe Bryant and Russell Westbrook. Gordon can, and will, easily slide in as a reserve guard.

4. The Clippers Will Sweep the Season Series Against the Lakers

There hasn't been much of a rivalry between the co-tenants of the Staples Center. The Clippers have played the role of inferior little brother to the Lakers since they moved to Los Angeles.

The Lakers prevailed in three out of the four contests last season, but the Clips have other ideas for this year.

Not only will they win the season series against their crosstown rivals, but they will take all three matchups against the purple and gold.

The veteran Lakers will need to save their energy for the postseason and in two of the teams' three meetings the Clippers will be the fourth opponent the Lakers see in five nights.

5. The Clippers Will Make a Postseason Appearance

For the first time since 2006, the Los Angeles Clippers will be playing postseason basketball. 

This team is loaded with high-upside talent. As their young guns continue to improve, the Clips will morph into a team that no one wants to face. Add Chris Paul and/or Dwight Howard to the mix and you're looking at one of the top four teams in the West.

6. Blake Griffin Will Finish Among the Top 5 Scorers in the NBA

Griffin averaged 22.5 points per game as a rookie (repeat, as a rookie!), relying mostly on his unparalleled raw athleticism and aggression. 

With a year of experience under his belt and an extended offseason to hone his shooting, Blake should easily bump his scoring to 25-26 points per contest, especially if Chris Paul is dropping him dimes.

Last year that would have placed him between seventh and third in the league in scoring. Let's split the difference and say he finishes in the top five this time around.

7. Griffin Will Lead the League in Triple-Doubles

After throwing up a ridiculous 22-12 as a rook, it's no surprise to hear that Blake finished a close third in double-doubles behind Dwight Howard and Kevin Love last season.

What you may be shocked to hear is that Griffin was tied for fifth in the NBA in triple-doubles in 2011.

In addition to being a dominant scorer and rebounder, Blake displayed a knack for getting others the ball in favorable spots. He improved in that capacity as the season went along, recording both of his triple-doubles and coming within one assist of a third after the calendar flipped to March. He saw his assists per game average rise from 3.5 before the All-Star break to 4.5 after it.

As Griffin improves his all around game, I see him recording at least five trip-dubs in 2012, a total that would have led the league a season ago over a full 82 games. It should be enough to top the charts in this abbreviated campaign.

8. All-NBA 1st Team Honors for Mr. Griffin

With an abundance of great forwards in the league today, it will be a true accomplishment for Blake to earn a spot on the All-NBA First Team.

It caused quite a stir when Griffin was ranked as the 10th best player in the league in ESPN's NBA Ranks a couple months ago. A spot among the league's first five would more than validate the rankers' faith in his abilities. With a potential stat line along the lines of 26-13-5 well within his range, Blake can ascend to the game's uppermost echelon.

9. Blake Finishes Top 3 in MVP Voting

Let's recap Blake Griffin's hypothetical season (according to the aforementioned bold predictions):

• Averages of 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists a game
• Top-five scorer
• First in the league in triple-doubles
• All-Star selection
• All-NBA First Team selection
• Leads Clippers to first playoff berth in six years

How does that season not garner serious MVP consideration?

(You know...assuming it all goes exactly as I say)

10. Blake Griffin Jersey Sales Top the Charts

Griffin's No. 32 jersey was the 11th best seller in 2011. After another season of vicious dunks, dizzying highlight film moments, and a host of personal accolades to top it all off, Blake will be the most popular NBA player in the country.

All he has to do is introduce himself to the people of China.

Besides, everyone already owns a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James jersey, right?