Los Angeles Clippers: Projected Starting Lineup For 2014 Season

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The Los Angeles Clippers won an impressive 57 games last season and their goal this offseason, like all other teams, was to get better. But getting better doesn’t mean a big change, especially to their starting lineup. Barring trades, the Clippers’ starting lineup will look like this:

Point Guard - Chris Paul: Quite possibly the best in his position, Chris Paul will be the starting point guard yet again. Paul is well regarded around the league as a tough opponent that will never give up on a play or a game. Paul has great handles that he uses to perfection alongside a consistent jump shot and terrific passing abilities that his teammates certainly enjoy.

This will be Paul’s fourth season with the Clippers after being traded before the 2011-12 season. In his time with the Clippers, Paul has meshed incredibly with his teammates, as he has proven to be a consistent leader.

Paul makes the Clippers a playoff team but he will need to overcome the injuries of his past and stay healthy for an entire season including the playoffs. Because without Paul, the Clippers will struggle.

Shooting Guard - J.J. Redick: This is one of the Clippers two questions for their starting lineup. Redick will most likely begin the season as the starting shooting guard. His competition is Jamal Crawford, last year’s sixth man of the year. The Clippers would prefer to have Redick start and Crawford continue to come off the bench, because Crawford is such a valuable sixth man.

Redick is a reliable three-point shooter and a good early-game scorer. Last season was Redick’s first with the Clippers, and although he only played 35 games, he started all but one. He spent the majority of the season injured with hand and lower back issues, so hopefully he can get past his injuries and put forth a full season and maintain the starting shooting guard spot.

Small Forward - Matt Barnes: This is the only other question for the Clippers when it comes to their starting lineup. Last season, Matt Barnes took over the starting small forward spot from Jared Dudley who didn’t produce how the Clippers expected. Unless Dudley returns to his old self, Barnes should hold down the starting spot.

Barnes is a veteran player with a reputation of being a pest, defending his teammates and being suspended for being so. He caught fire from beyond the arc last year he finished the season playing at the three. Barnes can be a scoring threat, solid defender, and leader on the court, but he has proven to be inconsistent. If he can be consistent, he will certainly remain the starter next season.

Power Forward - Blake Griffin: This is a sure-fire thing. Finishing third last season in the MVP voting, Blake Griffin furthered his game, showing that he can carry his team by playing at another level when Paul was injured.

Griffin is an incredible athlete that has honed his game and showed what he can do. He is a scoring threat that has improved his jump shot and has impressive handles for a man of his size. On the court he takes a beating and isn’t well-liked by other players around the league, but off the court he is a charismatic fan favorite.

Being in the starting lineup is the only thing he has ever known and he will be in the Clipper starting lineup for years to come, as the Clippers have a thin front court.

Center - DeAndre Jordan: This is also a sure thing, as the only other option for a starting center is Ryan Hollins. Putting it like that makes it sound like Jordan doesn’t deserve the starting spot, however, he certainly deserves it. Last season, he lead the league in rebounds and field goal percentage, being only one of three players to lead the league in both those categories.

Jordan may be the best dunker in the NBA as well. He is one of the most athletic big men in the game, getting most of his points in transition. He has a rough post game, but that is nullified by his athleticism. He has blossomed because of his Coach Doc Rivers. He wants to get better, and he might do just that in 2014.