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Western Conference Semi-Finals: Los Angeles Clippers Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The first round of the NBA playoffs brought about a rise in competition, shock value and drama. Five Game Seven’s over the weekend, ties an NBA record set in 1994. That record was for 5 Game Sevens throughout the 1994 NBA Playoffs. This record has been tied… through the first round, 20 years later.

Two of the surviving teams in the Western Conference are set to tip-off, Monday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For all of the excitement that has happened thus far in the playoffs and we have only made it through round one, round two is set to shape up and become a classic duel between two of the Western Conferences’ biggest powerhouses.

We will start with Little Brothers of L.A. and the elephant in the room. The Clippers have been exposed to more drama than your average team can handle after the bigoted rant by Clipper owner, Donald Sterling. Sterling’s awkward, yet painful statements, put the Clippers in a bad place, but Doc Rivers showed why he is definitely the man for the job. By helping his team remain focused and dedicated to their own cause, the Clippers were able to survive a seven game series with the Golden State Warriors.

The Clippers are a much improved team from last year. While Chris Paul is an important cog in this wheel and the leader of this team, the Clippers have learned to play without leaning so heavily on him. The growth of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan has been huge this season for the Clippers, but nothing was bigger than the arrival of Doc Rivers. Rivers, an emotional leader whom is well-respected by players around the league, brings championship mentality and mental toughness to an organization that has never possessed either trait.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

How They Got Here:  The Clippers finished the season 57-25 and ranked #3 in the West.  They beat sixth ranked Warriors,4-3, in a seven game series.

Who Has To Step Up:  The Clippers’ Bench – The starters are going to get their, but Jamal Crawford has to lead that bench.  He has to put up not only just shots, but points in order for the Clippers to have a chance to win this series.

Which Starter Must Come Through:  DeAndre Jordan has come on very strong in these playoffs so far.  If I had to point out his area of weakness, it has to be his performance on the road.  Jordan was a monster in the middle for the Clips… on their own home court.  He has to put that monster on the road and control the paint on both ends if the Clips want to win this series.

  The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to start game one, 48 hours have an emotional and physically taxing series against a formidable opponent in the Memphis Grizzlies.  The soon-to-be named league MVP, Kevin Durant was not on his best game, but the emergence of Reggie Jackson and Russell Westbrook’s game seven triple double, carried the Thunder on to the 2nd round.

How They Got Here:  The Thunder finished the season, 59-23 and ranked #2 in the West.  They beat the 7th ranked Memphis Grizzlies, 4-3, in a seven game series.

Who Has To Step Up:  We all know about the defensive specialist that Serge Ibaka can be, but Steven Adams has to be that extra big body to control and maintain the paint.  He has to be the enforcer and inflict pain.

Which Starter Must Come Through: Kevin Durant, winning an MVP, cannot and will not be enough to advance to the Western Conference Finals.  Durant’s shot finally showed up in Game 7 but that came on the heels of Media mishap of the handle, Mr. Unreliable, was given to him.  I’m pretty sure he hated that more so than The Slim Reaper.

  Who will win the series:  I believe the combination seven games against a tough Warrior team and the Sterling drama is just too taxing, physically and emotionally for the Clippers to overcome.  I believe the combination of Westbrook and Durant, at their best, will be too much for the Clippers to handle.