The Clippers have put themselves in a must win situation for Game 3 against the Spurs, for reasons other than championship attainment.
After acquiring Chris Paul to pair with Blake Griffin and adding veteran pieces like Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler and then Kenyon Martin and Nick Young later on, Los Angeles was supposed to contend for a title immediately. Against San Antonio thus far, though, Paul and company have hardly looked like a championship-bound team.
And that’s a huge problem.
Both Griffin and Paul will have the opportunity to shop around after next season, meaning not only do the Clippers have to pony up the necessary cash to keep both, but they have to convince them this team is headed somewhere. And currently, they only appear headed for an early playoff exit.
Clippers owner Donald Sterling is hardly known for his exuberant spending, which doesn’t bode well moving forward. Billups (injured), Martin and Young are all free agents after this season, and it’s unlikely all of them return. With a penny-pincher like Sterling, the Clippers can simply not afford to invest significant cash in anyone not named Griffin or Paul.
So, with a supporting cast on the cusp of decimation, how does Los Angeles appear to the interests of its two stars?
By winning, or at least making it clear they can win.
For Griffin and Paul to believe in the Clippers long term, a championship has to appear within reach. Right now, it seems to be drifting further and further away, and that has consequences.
What if Paul is so unhappy about the direction of this team that he demands a trade next season, without even waiting out the year? What if Griffin follows suit?
Though it’s unlikely both request trades as early as this summer, it is still a possibility, which is why there’s no time like the present for the Clippers to make amends to their reputation.
Los Angeles may be in a two-game hole, but they’ve got to find a way to return to competency; two straight losses by 16 points or more are just embarrassing, not indicative of a team ready to contend for a title.
For this year only, the Clippers are guaranteed to have both Griffin and Paul playing their hearts out together. How the team responds after playing itself into an early deficit will speak volumes about its depth, credibility and commitment to winning.
And also the futures of Griffin, Paul and the Clippers organization beyond next season.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His basketball musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
