Timberwolves’ ranking in the Western Conference – Part Three

Mar 2, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) looks for a pass past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) before the ball goes out of bounds in the third quarter at Target Center. The Los Angeles Clippers win 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Los Angeles Clippers

A playoff match-up with the Spurs could loom, and that wouldn’t bode too well with Clippers’ fans.

Los Angeles is normally the place to be in the playoffs; the city is known for its historic success and accomplishments throughout the last half century. However, L.A. is custom to the purple-and-gold being contenders instead of a team those Lakers call their little brothers.

Chris Paul may finally have a bench behind him for the first time in his career. The additions of Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith, Wesley Johnson, and Paul Pierce in addition to incumbent reserve Jamal Crawford could make or break the Clips’ season.

This team has the talent to beat other top-tier teams in the West — CP3 is the best point guard in the league (no knock to Stephen Curry or Russell Westbrook; they’re both phenomenal), Blake Griffin is a top-three player at his position and has shown the ability to carry the team when they’re without Paul, and Jordan is a rebounding freak who does an outstanding job defending the paint.

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They match-up with about every team in  the league decently, too. They’ve got a solid starting five and a now a decent bench. The Clippers have star power and veteran and championship experience to correspond with that. But they do also have a few guys with a bad rep.

The flop possibility for this team is insane, and they’ve got the persona that could pull it off: Smith is notorious for dumb decisions; Stephenson had a run-in with LeBron that made him a household name among other things, not to mention his lost season a year ago in Charlotte; and Paul and Griffin have been known as whiny floppers over the course of the past two seasons.

DeAndre Jordan — as mentioned earlier — committed to sign with the Mavs before deciding that the Clippers would be better and chose to remain in Los Angeles; Paul Pierce is a smack-talking vet who’s seen better days and probably can’t back up what he says anymore; and Austin Rivers is, well, Austin Rivers.

The Clippers, in my opinion, should succeed in locking up home-court advantage throughout at least the first round (and as we saw last year, home court is a big deal in the playoffs), and could receive more benefits if they play up to their ability next year.

Nothing in the Clips organization has ever been a sure thing, but fans should feel confident with the was Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are leading this franchise.

Next: #3 - KD For MVP?