Clippers' season a success despite falling short

In what's been a memorable year for the Los Angeles Clippers who went from being a sub .500 ball club (32-50) just a year ago to a 5th seed and advancing to the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs this season, the franchise was struck with an early exit. After a back and forth battle which featured a decisive game 7 victory on the road against the 4th seeded Memphis Grizzlies, the Clippers were given the daunting task of having to go up against the no. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs. Fresh off their sweep of the Utah Jazz in the first round, San Antonio's veteran experience proved to be too much for a banged up Clippers squad who saw their 2012 campaign end much sooner than many would've hoped. After tying the Chicago Bulls for a league-best record of 50-16 during the regular season, the Gregg Popovich-led Spurs continued doing what they've done all season long -- winning, by moving to a perfect record of 8-0 this post-season and pulling off the sweep of the Clippers, serving as a blockade to L.A.'s magical run.

Despite being eliminated, the Clippers' season ended with their heads held high. Having been in the shadow of their Los Angeles counterparts -- the Lakers who the Clippers share a venue with, L.A.'s "other team" was given a different wrap in 2012 thanks in large part to a newly constructed roster which featured newcomers Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams, Caron Butler, Nick Young, and All-Star Chris Paul. Coupled with returning players DeAndre Jordan and the high-flying Blake Griffin, the Clippers would showcase one of the West's better teams. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury sustained to Chauncey Billups would put a dent in the Clippers' season and spell doom for their chances of winning the franchise's first NBA title. Had Billups been healthy, there's no telling how the seeding would've shaped up and where the Clippers would be right now. My guess is they'd still be alive and well. Instead the organization and their fans will have to sit back and wait alongside the 26 other teams who's season has also ended. 

Although they might not have reached the ultimate goal this season, 2012 was still a success for the Clippers who not only gave their fans something to cheer about other than a Blake Griffin highlight-dunk, but also made only their eighth trip to the post-season in franchise history and fifth time since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. And with the nucleus of talent they have now, a season of experience having played with one another can't hurt and should only help the team in 2013. The biggest question mark regarding the team, however, is whether or not head coach Vinny Del Negro who's been at the helm in L.A. since 2010 will be the one on the sidelines drawing up plays for a fourth season. While the head coaching position begs a question, one thing that is certain is that the Clippers won't be taken lightly by other teams heading into the season like they have been in years passed. 


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2011 NBA Playoffs x Thunder-Grizzlies Preview

One of the more intriguing stories of this NBA season and most notably during the Playoffs, is that of the the Memphis Grizzlies. Entering the Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies were given the daunting task of having to face the top seeded San Antonio Spurs in a David versus Goliath type situation. However, the young Memphis squad proved to be up for the challenge and went on to defeat the Spurs in 6-games, closing the series out at home in front of a raucous crowd. Prior to the series, the Grizzlies franchise which started in Vancouver 15-years ago had never won a playoff series, let alone a playoff game in their four playoff appearances. So it was only fitting for the Grizzlies to notch their first ever series triumph against the best team in the West.

With a youthful crop of talent orchestrated by Zach Randolph who has had himself a remarkable season earning his way onto the NBA All-Star team for the first time in his 10-year career, next on the list for the Grizzlies is an Oklahoma City Thunder team who they most resemble. Just a year ago, the Thunder converted one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history when they improved from their 23-59 record in 2008-2009 to an astonishing 50-32 mark in 2009-2010. A major factor to their 27-game turnaround, was the development of Kevin Durant along with an impressive 2010 Draft class which included gem's James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma's nucleus of young star-studded players proved their 2009 campaign was no fluke, by winning 55-games this season, earning them the 4th seed. With so much potential at such a young age, the Thunder easily have the intangibles to be one of the more formidable squads in the league for many years to come.

Although Memphis' improvement from last year's mediocre 40-42 record didn't quite compare to Oklahoma City's, the 6-game progression would be all they needed to awe the critics. Similar to OKC, the Grizzlies proved their ousting of the top-seeded Spurs was no fluke, as they went on to defeat the Thunder on their own home court in Game 1. With no answer for Zach Randolph defensively, the former Most Improved Player (2004) finished the game with a stellar 34 points and 10 boards. Marc Gasol, brother of Lakers star forward Pau Gasol also contributed by compiling 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds. Not be forgotten is Grizzlies point-guard Mike Conley.What I find most impressive regarding Memphis' run, is that they've been able to do it all without their leader Rudy Gay who's been out since mid-February.

As Oklahoma City prepares to seek revenge in Game 2 on Tuesday, I expect the series to be tied heading into Game 3 when the battle shifts to Memphis on Thursday. And if it is, you can consider this one a coin-toss as to who advances to the Western Conference Finals. But just to pick a side, I'll go with one of the game's better closers in Durant and give the Thunder the upper-hand in 7-games assuming the newly acquired Kendrick Perkins is able to contain Randolph and prevent him from making a habit out of his Game 1 outburst.

Stern Doin' Work

Make My Day - With the first round of the NBA Playoffs already underway, commissioner David Stern has become one of if not the most busiest man in the league for dishing out fines and suspensions for those in need. Take Kevin Garnett for example who was issues a 1-game suspension earlier this week for throwing an elbow that connected to the face of Miami's Quinton Richardson after a sideline scuffle between the Heat and Celtics. And then there's the $35,000 fine that Lakers head coach Phil Jackson received for his comments towards how the refs were treating Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant like a superstar, sending him to the foul-line every other trip down the court. Stern has had his hands full as of late by trying to defend his officials, whether it means dishing out fines or suspensions to whoever speaks out and criticizes their officiating, player or coach.

Stern, who's been atop the throne as the commissioner for 26-years now says he wishes he done this 20-years ago when Pat Riley and Phil Jackson first started the trend of questioning calls on behalf of the refs. Two decades later, it looks like he's is finally ready to take charge. A message was sent out to the entire league by David Stern himself who tried giving his best Clint Eastwood impression by saying, "If someone wants to try me in the rest of these playoffs, make my day." Stern's 5-foot nothing physique might not scare anyone off, but his commitment to fine you $30,000 big ones might do the trick. And if that doesn't, threatening to suspend you for a game when everything including a championship is at stake, surely will.

Head coach of the defending Eastern Conference champions Orlando Magic - Stan Van Gundy recently made the news by criticizing not the officiating of the NBA, but rather the length of the playoffs. Stan Van commented that the first round takes longer than three weeks and that there's too many off days in between games. Although his comments aren't expected to lead to a fine, they could however, lead to a quicker, more fast pasted playoffs, right? Wrong. Whether or not the fans, players and coaches agree with the many days off in between games, the league brings in more money by stretching out the length of each series. After all, they did change the playoffs from a best of five to the best of seven for a reason... The Benjamin$.

One thing the NBA is planning to change however, is the voting process for who makes it into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Supposedly the league is trying to become more "transparent" and "fan friendly" by letting fans be the ones who make the decision and vote for whoever they feel is most deserving of a spot with the game's all-time greats. & If you ask me, aside from letting fans get complete control of who gets to play and make it onto the All-Star team considering it's a popularity contest, this is one of Stern's worse decisions yet.

Road to the promise land

With all the hoopla between Kobe and LeBron, there lies a player in each ones path to the NBA Finals. Dwight Howard in LeBron's, and Carmelo Anthony in Kobe's. Howard's Magic took game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland just the other day, and Melo's Nuggets left L.A. with a victory in game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to tie the series at 1-game a piece. But it almost seems like these 2 (Kobe & LeBron) are destined to face each other in the NBA Finals.

And if you don't believe me, Nike released a series of MVP commercials (Most Valuable Puppets) relating to the friendly rivalry between both players. In the 1st commercial, LeBron tossed his 'shit' in the air, as Phil Jackson described it, and making a complete mess in the house. The 2nd commercial featured Kobe searching and asking LeBron if he had seen his 3-Championship rings. But the latest one, I would have to say is the best one yet. Kobe's UNSTOPABLENESS!

Left or Right?

"Yes or No?", "Hot or Cold?", "Pepsi or Coke?" Those are some of the most popular questions I've been asked before, just to name a few. Another one that's soon to be on the list is, "Kobe or LeBron?" The former Team U.S.A. teammates have became bitter rivals over the past few seasons and are both at the top of the list in almost every offensive category. Many questions are being asked from who you think is the best in the NBA, to who deserves MVP honors. Both are debates that could be fought for either side. The rivalry is slowly starting to shape up similar to the rivalry Bird and Magic once had. Not as much history between the two, but it's getting there.

As a Kobe fan, I have to tip my hat to LeBron and for what he's done this season. I may not be the biggest fan of the so called "King James", but I give credit where it's due. And he's done a phenomenal job in turning around that franchise. However I am in no form of supporting the LeBron Bandwagon. All of a sudden kids are coming out of nowhere, claiming to like a team [The Cavaliers] that many never even knew existed until LeBron was drafted. Not to mention half of them don't even know which state Cleveland is located in.

But at the end of the day, all that matters is who wins and who's sent home. An answer that may not be known until after the NBA Finals (If either team makes it that far of coarse). But another title Kobe has under his belt, is who owns the Most popular jersey in the NBA. Bryant reclaimed the #1 spot from the former 2007-2008 leader, Boston Celtics Center Kevin Garnett. The Lakers also topped the list of most popular team merchandise for the sixth time in seven years. Talk about Bragging rights..

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Kobe 4 President!

Either you hate Kobe Bryant, or you love him. Either you're a Laker fan, or you despise them. Luckily I love both Kobe and the Lakers. With that being said, the Lakers surged passed the Jazz Monday night with a 107-96 victory over Utah. With the win, the Lakers took the series 4-games to 1-game, & advance to the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs. The winner of the Houston-Portland series will determine who faces L.A. in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

Since I've been following the Lakers ever since I could remember, Derek Fisher is another one of my favorite Lakers. He's the lone Laker alongside Kobe that's been with the team since the 3-peat which spanned from 2000-2002. But it seems like I'm not the only one who digs the Fish. Fisher's had an ongoing problem with a female stalker that has been following and harassing him since 2001. The situation has gotten so bad that Fisher's been forced to file a temporary restraining order against the woman. If you ask me, I'd say she wants "THA DICK!" For the rest of the story click here.