No. 4: Los Angeles Clippers
Jul 10, 2013; Playa Vista, CA, USA; L-R: Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers (front) with Matt Barnes (22), Darren Collison (2), Jared Dudley (9), Ryan Hollins (15), Chris Paul (3) and J.J. Redick (4) during today
The Lakers stock is down and the Clippers stock is way, way up. They have the best player in LA and the best coach in LA, and have added some great pieces this offseason.
Darren Collison replaces Eric Bledsoe, who was traded to the Suns in a deal that netted Jared Dudley and J.J. Redick. They also resigned Matt Barnes and made him stand behind Doc “The Don” Rivers and act like he wasn’t there last season.
(They also drafted Reggie Bullock out of North Carolina, who was one of my favorite players in the draft, for whatever that means to you ((probably nothing (((that’s okay)))))
This team finally looks less like a mashup of athletic dudes and more like a cohesive basketball team. With Doc leading the way, this team is a favorite not only in the West, but in the NBA.
The Clippers can matchup with Miami’s athleticism as well as, if not better than, any other team in the NBA and now has the scoring talent, defensive stoppers, and head coach to be taken seriously.