10 Questions Facing Blake Griffin and L.A. Clippers for the 2011-2012 NBA Season

Blake Griffin and his new-look Los Angeles Clippers head into the 2011-2012 NBA season with a new-found confidence, going 2-0 against the L.A. Lakers this preseason and adding arguably the game's best point guard in Chris Paul.

In those two games, Paul, Griffin and Chauncey Billups showed why the Clippers are for real.

Now these Clippers will have to translate this play to the regular season, which is something this team failed to do last season. They will be tested often and early in this shortened, jam-packed season, as the team must improve to start out the season.

These are the 10 biggest questions facing the L.A. Clippers heading into the 2011-2012 season.

Can Chauncey Billups Play SG for the Team?

On a team chock-full of point guards, the organization has decided to have Chauncey Billups move to the shooting guard position.

In the two games this preseason, it seemed as if Billups had played the two-guard position his entire career.

Billups is a natural fit at shooting guard, as he is a score-first point guard who is known for his ability to score points in a plethora of ways. His versatile, physical offensive game becomes that much more dangerous with him catching the ball at the wing.

This is a point guard who has averaged at least 16 points in 10 of his last 11 seasons in the league. With Billups catching the ball at the wing and cutting to the basket from teammate Chris Paul, opponents have to fear what is arguably the most talented backcourt in basketball.

Just How Much Better Can Blake Griffin Get?

Last season, Blake Griffin had as solid a season as any rookie in NBA history at the PF position, which makes it hard to believe he could have an even better season this year.

Or could he?

Griffin posted 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and just 2.7 turnovers per game last season. Not to mention, 64 of the 82 games featured at least 10 rebounds from Griffin. He would also be honored with the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Griffin has the potential to improve his production despite the numbers he was putting up last season. The reason why? Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups.

These two will find Griffin early and often throughout the season, as these are two of the veteran point guards in the game that understand how athletically gifted a player like Griffin is. Look for these two to only help increase the production Griffin can bring to the table.

Is DeAndre Jordan the Highlight Reel or the Real Deal?

Clippers forward DeAndre Jordan has been coming up on highlight reels since entering the league, whether it's emphatic blocks or jaw-dropping dunks that make an appearance in ESPN's SportsCenter's infamous Top 10.

Yet the question is, is that all he is worth?

Jordan is not only a highlight reel, but he has every indication of being the real deal. In just under 26 minutes per game, Jordan averaged just over seven points and seven rebounds last season. Considering the limited minutes, these numbers are as solid as the Clippers could ask for from the 23-year-old.

Now officially the starter for the team headed into his fourth-season in the league, Jordan should make the most of his minutes and only improve his production. Alongside Griffin and Butler, the three make for one of the more unique, athletic trio of frontcourt starters in the league.

Are the Clippers Destined for Another Slow Start?

The schedule for the L.A. Clippers to open up the season is not a promising one.

In the first 13 games of the season, the Clippers play on the road just four times. Yet all four teams will be difficult to take down, as the teams include the Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trailblazers and the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day to get things started.

Other games on the team's schedule include a game against the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls, following two straight road games to start the season, followed by games at home against the Trailblazers, Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Will they get through the tough stretch? Last season says this team doesn't stand a chance, as they started the season at just 1-12.

With the new additions Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler and Chris Paul, there is plenty more hope for a better start to the season.

Can Billups Continue to Produce Offensively at This Rate?

In two preseason games, the numbers from Chauncey Billups have been impressive on the offensive end.

To open up the preseason, Billups lit it up with 23 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range in just 20 minutes of play. Yes, more than a point a minute.

He would pick up the 23 points on just 5-of-8 shooting while going 9-for-9 from the line.

In game No. 2 between the Lakers and Clippers, Billups would score eight points in 22 minutes, shooting just three times from the field.

It would be difficult to imagine Billups going off for these types of efficient, sound numbers. Although, perhaps the switch in positions is what has made the difference, as Billups has always been a score-first point guard. Whether or not it will be an effective move will be an interesting thing to take note of this season with this team.

Where Does Eric Bledsoe Fit In?

Eric Bledsoe is a John Calipari talent who shows much promise as a guard in the league.

However, the team now boasts a plethora of players in the backcourt, all of which are proven or soon-to-be proven talents in the league. The backcourt lineup includes: Mo Williams, Chris Paul, Randy Foye and Chauncey Billups.

As he is signed with the Clippers for several seasons to come, the team will inevitably integrate him into the rotation. Yet this season might be a tough one for Bledsoe, as there are three veteran point guards that will own more of the minutes this season (Paul, Billups, Williams).

How Important Is Opening Day at Golden State?

The answer: It will be vital.

Despite picking up the two wins against the Lakers this preseason, the Clippers (and every other team) will have to stay focused and come out strong in this shortened season. 

The Golden State Warriors come in with a new head coach in Marc Jackson, who has made it clear he wants the team to buy into the prioritizing effort on the defensive end. Not to mention Monta Ellis is one of the more difficult players to defend in the NBA.

The Clippers were just 1-12 to start off the 2010-2011 campaign, so a difficult schedule to start off the season this year has to be giving the Clippers something to think about. The Clippers should win convincingly in this Christmas Day matchup, yet of course, as the saying always goes, it's easier said than done.

Is Being Considered a Playoff-Potential Team Good Enough?

The L.A. Clippers, from the organization standpoint, would be more than happy with a playoff appearance. The team has made the playoffs just six times in its history, and just once since its 1996-1997 playoff appearance.

Making the playoffs would be a great feat for a team that has gone four consecutive seasons below .500. Yet now with Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler and an up-and-coming talent in Griffin taking the court, this is a team that has to be thinking NBA championship.

A playoff appearance would bring smiles, but a championship is what this team has to be shooting for with the type of talent they boast.

Will Lack of Depth in Frontcourt Hurt This Team Going Forward?

With the exception of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan, the Clippers are a team that lack much depth in the frontcourt. They are a team that feature four power forwards and one center, Deandre Jordan.

Yet despite the lack of balance with these two positions, this team should push through. Griffin and Jordan are young and athletically gifted, as they should be able to make up for the lack of depth down low.

However, an injury to either Griffin or Jordan will hurt this team significantly. Staying healthy will be key for these two, as they are backed up by three inexperienced power forwards on the bench.

The health of Griffin and Jordan will be key in the team's ability to overcome a weaker frontcourt rotation.

Do They Have What It Takes to Be the Top Dog in L.A.?

As you can see, Blake has his eyes on the prize this season and is as focused as any player in the league.

The L.A. Clippers have suddenly emerged as not only a top threat in the West, but also an immediate threat to the crosstown rival Lakers.

Is it too early to call these Clippers top dogs in L.A.? Absolutely.

The Lakers have been crowned NBA champions two of the last three seasons, and they have appeared in three of the last four NBA finals. They also have a player by the name of Kobe Bryant, a player with five rings to his name who is considered one of the greatest talents to grace the game.

The Clippers are 2-0 against the Lakers through the preseason, but let it be known that these Lakers will bring a different animal to the table once this season tips off and games start to mean something.

It is certainly too early to give these Clippers the label as the best team in the city of L.A., yet there is no doubting that this is a team that now has the talent to compete with the Lakers.

Follow Luis Batlle on Twitter @LBATLL1