Even Vinny Del Negro has to be impressed with what his former team has done since he was ousted as coach in late May. The new expectations, it's safe to say, will go way beyond the first-round playoff exit to the Memphis Grizzlies that they endured last season.
Del Negro's replacement, former Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, was an unofficial free agent of sorts who was, in essence, traded to the Clippers in exchange for a first-round draft pick.
The embarrassment of riches ensued from there: Chris Paul, who badly wanted Rivers to run this show, agreed to re-sign on a five-year, $107 million deal that will be formalized today; free agent shooting guard J.J. Redick came their way in a three-team trade that also netted them Phoenix Suns small forward Jared Dudley; former Clippers reserve Matt Barnes returned, and was joined on a similarly-affordable contract by former Dallas point guard Darren Collison.
"Someone got to Donald Sterling and said, 'This is basically this is your last chance. You need to finally spend some money and take this business seriously. You have to sign Chris Paul.'" NBA TV analyst and former player Dennis Scott said. "They didn't need a fiasco with Chris Paul, and it didn't happen. That's step No. 1. Now, free agents are saying the Clippers are finally for real, finally serious. They're making the right moves. They really want to finally win. But they do more bigger bodies."
The roster is much-improved, to be sure. But as Kerr pointed out, the Clippers' ability to get to the next level still relies heavily on the development of forward Blake Griffin in his fourth season.
"I think they have a chance to be really good (but) I still feel like it comes down to Blake Griffin and his continued evolution," Kerr said. "You don't win a title without a couple of star players who can change games. Chris Paul is one of them and Blake is on the cusp."
