The NBA Season is ready to start on Christmas Day, the last couple of preseason games are being played as I write this up, and it's time for me to cater to every serious NBA fans love of season previews! The 2011 Geektastic Preview is going to be way too large for one article, so I'm dividing it up into divisions (and even so, it's going to be long, so get a cup of coffee!). In this article I'm going to preview the Los Angeles Clippers Lob City, Baby!
Back to the Pacific Division Previews
Note that this article is using the new formula for calculating Wins Produced. If you don't understand the WP metric, see the FAQ.
The 2011-12 Los Angeles Clippers
Lost: bunch of kids and draft picks and shit
Added: Chris FREAKING PAUL
Outlook: My pick to win the Pacific. Griffin was great last year; sophomores usually get better. Jordan is also young and getting better. Reggie Evans and Chauncey Billups are both great pickups.
NAME | GP | MIN | WP48 | PTS | REB | AST | TO | BLK | STL | PF |
Eric Bledsoe | 81 | 1838 | .060 | 14.2 | 5.8 | 7.5 | 5.1 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.4 |
Brian Cook | 40 | 446 | -.036 | 20.8 | 10.3 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 8.1 |
Randy Foye | 63 | 1553 | .004 | 19.0 | 3.2 | 5.3 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 |
Ryan Gomes | 76 | 2094 | .071 | 12.5 | 5.8 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 3.6 |
DeAndre Jordan | 80 | 2044 | .194 | 13.3 | 13.5 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 6.0 |
Mo Williams | 22 | 724 | .019 | 22.2 | 3.7 | 8.2 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 3.9 |
Blake Griffin | 82 | 3110 | .160 | 28.5 | 15.3 | 4.8 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 3.9 |
Per48 Comparison of raw stats
WP48 | PTS | REB | AST | TO | BLK | STL | PF | |
Evans | .269 | 8.0 | 20.8 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 5.4 |
Billups | .158 | 25.1 | 3.9 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 3.0 |
Butler | .017 | 24.2 | 6.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 3.3 |
As you can see from the numbers, the Clippers have a great backcourt. The best point guard in the game, together with the capable Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams. Their frontcourt is also not-too-shabby, with last year's rookie of the year and the steady Jordan, both of whom are likely to improve this year (as a factor of experience, and from all the dunks they get from Chris Freaking Paul).
It really can't be stressed enough how great Reggie Evans has always been. He's a complete monster on the boards, with a rebounding rate that is right up their with Kevin Love. He also doesn't take bad shots, which is key in a team with as many offensive options as this team has.
With their dominant rebounding and the best point guard in the game, the Clippers are my pick to win the Pacific division, getting the edge over the Lakers.