Los Angeles Clippers (Lost 4-2 to the Trailblazers)
The Chris Paul era Clippers team might very well go down as one of the best NBA teams never to win an NBA championship. Fans of the team were cautiously optimistic at the beginning of the season- as the team made a host of free agent signings, bolstering an already formidable lineup. However, the season turned out to be a sad case of ‘What ifs’.
What if Blake hadn’t punched the team equipment manager? What if Blake hadn’t got injured in the process? What if he and Deandre had learned to play together? What if both Paul and Blake hadn’t been injured in the first round? What if they all that had happened and they faced a Curry-less Warriors in the second round?
The Clippers could not seem to catch a break. This begs the question which should leave the Clippers General Manager Dave Wohl and Doc Rivers, who is also President of Basketball operations at an unenviable position this off-season and the next. Is it time for a fresh start in Clipperland?
Now the optimists argument is that you don’t break open a functioning franchise just because you cannot catch the right breaks. However, the sceptics position seems to be stronger considering Chris Paul’s advancing age and internal reports of growing dislike between Griffin and Deandre Jordan. Now, if Doc Rivers were to be in favour of a fresh start, the trade value for Griffin is never going to be higher.
He has already sustained multiple knee and hand injuries in his short NBA career. The additional miles on his body dictate that if a trade has to be made, it needs to be made right now. All through out the season, there were reports of a potential deal involving the Celtics and their multiple draft picks. Also, ever since Lebron took his talents back to Cleveland, the pundits have been fantasizing about a pairing of Lebron and Paul. Provided the Clippers get back Kyrie and some additional pieces, this, atleast on paper, looks like an interesting idea.
All that being said, would you really want to meddle with a team that has been in contention for some time now, considering the Clippers tortured history? Like I said, Doc River is in an unenviable position.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
