2014-15 Los Angeles Clippers Preview

Head coach Doc Rivers enters his second year after taking the club to the Western Conference semifinals, and while most of the key cogs return for the two-time defending Pacific Division champions, some big-name additions were made to the coaching staff.

Three-time NBA champion and longtime assistant Sam Cassell, as well as former NBA head coaches Lawrence Frank and Mike Woodson, join Rivers on the bench with the sole intention of instituting what he calls the "process."

It's a process that had the Clippers ever-so close to a conference finals appearance before a stunning collapse against the Thunder in Game 5 of the semis dealt a brutal blow to their title hopes.

The Clippers were ahead by seven points in the final 50 seconds on Oklahoma City's own floor but wound up losing, 105-104, in regulation. The Thunder wrapped up the series in LA two days later.

Chris Paul, whose foul on Russell Westbrook in the closing seconds led to the winning three free throws in the Game 5 collapse, remembers it all too well and vows to make amends.

"Last year we had a great opportunity, but Game 5 was horrible and it's no secret why we lost Game 5, but I think this year gives us an opportunity to get right back there," Paul said at Media Day.

Paul nonetheless had another banner campaign, leading the league in assists (10.7 apg) and adding 19.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He and fellow All-Star Blake Griffin, the forefathers of "Lob City," have evolved into more than an alley-oop waiting to happen when they joined forces three seasons ago.

The duo wound up tied for sixth in the league in total win shares with 12.2 last season.

Griffin, in particular, has developed into a much more polished scorer, particularly in his mid-range game. The high-flier finished sixth in the league in points (24.1 ppg) and was top-20 in rebounds (9.5 rpg) and field goal percentage (.528)

Veterans J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes return for another shot at an ever- elusive title, and Barnes knows the window of opportunity is closing, even on these seemingly young Clippers.

Visit link:
2014-15 Los Angeles Clippers Preview