2012/13 NBA Team Rankings & Previews: #4 Los Angeles Clippers
#4 - Los Angeles Clippers
2011/12 Record: 40-26, lost Western Conference Finals
2012/13 Projected Record: 57-25, playoffs
Key Additions:
Jamal Crawford - Shooting Guard
Grant Hill - Small Forward
Lamar Odom - Power Forward
Ronny Turiaf - Center
Key Departures:
Mo Williams - Point Guard
Randy Foye - Shooting Guard
Nick Young - Shooting Guard
Kenyon Martin - Power Forward
Depth Chart:
Point Guard: Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe
Shooting Guard: Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford
Small Forward: Caron Butler, Grant Hill
Power Forward: Blake Griffin, Lamar Odom
Center: DeAndre Jordan, Ronny Turiaf
The X Factor:
DeAndre Jordan
There's a very short list of players with the size and talent that DeAndre Jordan possesses. The Clippers need the 24 year old to put it together this year.
Summary:
Barring any more injury concerns (knock on wood), this could be the year that the Clippers break through and make it to the NBA Finals. They have talent. They have size. They have experience. They have youth. They have depth. They have the requisite superstars needed to win a title. But, at the end of the day, they are still the Clippers. Can they break the stigma that that name carries along with it this season?
NBA Preseason Power Rankings
#5 - San Antonio Spurs
#6 - Boston Celtics
#7 - Indiana Pacers
#8 - Denver Nuggets
#9 - Brooklyn Nets
#10 - Memphis Grizzlies
#11 - Philadelphia 76ers
#12 - Minnesota Timberwolves
#13 - Dallas Mavericks
#14 - New York Knicks
#15 - Atlanta Hawks
#16 - Chicago Bulls
#17 - Utah Jazz
#18 - Golden State Warriors
#19 - Portland Trailblazers
#20 - Milwaukee Bucks
#21 - Cleveland Cavaliers
#22 - New Orleans Hornets
#23 - Washington Wizards
#24 - Toronto Raptors
#25 - Sacramento Kings
#26 - Phoenix Suns
#27 - Houston Rockets
#28 - Detroit Pistons
#29 - Orlando Magic
#30 - Charlotte Bobcats
