Are the Los Angeles Clippers retooled enough to get them past their NBA Western Conference adversaries en route to a possible NBA Finals appearance?
With DeAndre Jordan deciding to stay plus some key additions, it could happen. The Clippers have improved immensely although some questions do arise on their new additions.
One is of course Lance Stephenson, a controversial swingman who is given a new lease on life after bombing out with the Charlotte Hornets. Even though he was besieged by injuries last season, the fact remains that when he was fit to play, he was really good.
Hence, the Hornets were not patient to wait if Stephenson can recall the form that made him a top prospect last year from the Indiana Pacers. Clippers and head coach Doc Rivers, on the other hand, were willing to make a gamble. Could it possibly pay off?
Then there is the addition of Paul Pierce. Pierce is, of course, no stranger to Rivers, with the two having had the chance to work together when the Celtics won the NBA title in 2008.
Now at 37, Pierce is nearing the twilight of his career and was initially believed to be pondering retirement. This despite the fact that the man called "The Truth" showed to everyone last year with the Washington Wizards that he still has what it takes in the clutch for most of the season.
An exception was that dreadful loss to the Atlanta Hawks during the second round of the 2014-15 playoffs where Pierce missed a potential tying shot in game six, which ended the Wizards' season.
Such seemingly left Pierce distraught and left the NBA All Star pondering on retirement. But as it turned out, Pierce decided to give it one last go but with the Clippers after signing a reported three-year contract worth $10 million. This will most likely be his last tenure but the reunion could benefit the Clippers immensely.
As in previous years, the Clippers have been known to gather star players but have strangely fallen short.
But with a lineup composed of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Jordan, Pierce, Stephenson, J.J. Redick, and so forth, could this upcoming lineup be the right one to snag an NBA title for Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Paul Pierce?
