Los Angeles Clippers
Pacific Division
Last season's record: 57-25
Roster Additions and Losses
The Los Angeles Clippers signed Spencer Hawes and Jordan Farmar to four-year and two-year deals respectively. Both players add depth to an already deep Clippers team, especially at the guard and forward positions. Farmer will replace Darren Collison who signed with the Sacramento Kings as a free agent after opting out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers. Collison averaged 11.4 points per game last season with the Clippers as a crucial backup at the guard position. Danny Granger was acquired toward the end of last season and failed to make much of an impact. Thus, the Clippers let Granger walk and join the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat. Otherwise, this is a team that looks more or less the same as a season ago, when they entered the playoffs with the third seed in the Western Conference after winning the Pacific Division.
Keys to Success
After the distraction of Donald Sterling was eliminated, the Clippers are under new management in 2014. Amidst last year's scandal, the Clippers remained resilient in the playoffs before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. The Sterling situation was a mess and something that left head coach Doc Rivers and his players wondering whether or not they would return to L.A. this season. With that issue out of the lockerroom, Rivers' team can come into this season regrouped and focused to make a championship run. If Blake Griffin stays healthy and exterior distractions are limited, the Clippers can put their names down as serious title contenders.
Fantasy Roster Impact
This is a roster that is laden with quality fantasy players. Griffin and Chris Paul lead the way as two of the best in the game at their respective positions. They can provide quality starts on any given night. Many would argue Paul is the best point guard in the league and certainly made a case last season, leading the league in assists and steals. DeAndre Jordan is another post presence that may catch people's eye. While some may question his point-scoring ability, Jordan led the NBA in rebounds per game last season with 13.6 and ranked third in blocks per game with 2.48. He also led the league in field goal percentage.
2014 Season Prediction
The Clippers are once again a top power in the West. Their offseason additions jolted them ahead of the Thunder in the rankings and sit them right behind the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the conference. The Clippers are a lock for the postseason barring any major catastrophe and have the depth that can match that of the Spurs. However, their playoff inexperience will be the only thing that prevents them from reaching the NBA Finals. The Clippers are poised to move forward to the Western Conference Finals, but will fall short of the NBA Finals.