2014 NBA Playoffs: Paul, Clippers open vs Thunder in convincing fashion

Clippers 122, Thunder 105
Kevin Durant: 25 points (9-19 FG,) 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Chris Paul: 32 points (12-14 FG, 8-9 3PT,) 2 rebounds, 10 assists

Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers managed to plow through the Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a physically and emotionally draining seven game series. After trudging through the  Dubs and the controversy that arose when Clippers owner Donald Sterling made extremely controversial racial remarks, it was easy to expect that the physical and emotional ware and tare of the past few weeks would lead to a letdown for the Clippers in game one of their second round series with the Thunder.

Chris Paul and company proved this notion to be false, as they steamrolled Oklahoma City Monday night in Chesapeake Bay Arena 122-105, behind Chris Paul's aggressive and spectacular performance. Paul was in his finest form, beautifully orchestrating the Clippers half court attack, that featured a crispness that simply overwhelmed the OKC defense.

Oklahoma City wanted no part of the Clippers in the half court, failing to execute their defensive schemes properly, leading to open range on the perimeter for the Clippers and ultimately the Thunder's defeat. Chris' point guard prowess was on full display, as he used a plethora of dribble moves and big time shots to hammer away at the Thunder defense.

Paul had the Clipper attack in full throttle, making the correct reads, setting up guys for excellent shots and dissecting the Thunder D time and time again. Paul had an enormous night, pouring in 32 points and 10 assists. Paul was 12-14 from the field, and drilled 8 of 9 three pointers, including 5 in the first quarter.

Paul's performance made him the first player since Michael Jordan with at least 30 points, 10 assists and 75% in a playoff game. Jordan did it in the 1991 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

His 10 dimes set up Blake Griffin to score 23 points, and played a huge role in netting JJ Redick his 12 points and Matt Barnes his 10 points as well. He set up the Clipper offense that shot 54% from the floor and 51% from behind the arc.

No, they can't rely on shooting 54% every night. Yes, it is unrealistic to think that they will connect on 51% of their three pointers on a nightly basis throughout the series, but the Clippers and more specifically Paul sent a message to the league tonight. They are deep, well coached, hungry and truly are for real in terms of being a championship contender. They are one of the fiercest competitors in the championship hunt, and are ready to feast on any team that prevents them from accomplishing their dream.

Paul was firing on all cylinders, obliterating any and everyone that Oklahoma City threw at him. He came out focused and aggressive, forcefully showcasing the talents many have been questioning due to CP3's lack of playoff success.

When many claim that CP3 is the best point guard in the league, naysayers enjoy claiming that he hasn't had the playoff success of counterparts LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose. Many want to pinpoint the fact that Paul hasn't made it past the second round of the playoffs, constantly pointing to this fact as the major flaw in Paul's game.

Playoffs do define and shape legacies to an extent, but someone's complete career success shouldn't be dependent on what took place in the postseason, especially when their contributions are the main reason that team is in the playoffs.

Paul stated earlier in the playoffs that he's tired of going home early. He's tired of the postseason shortcomings and personal frustrations. These past missteps don't matter, as the league's best point guard is now being provided with his best team during his tenure in the league.

He has a top 10 player in Blake Griffin as a running mate, a completely confident and defensively dominant DeAndre Jordan, a sniper in JJ Redick, 6th man of the year in Jamal Crawford and an excellent coach in Doc Rivers. The keys have been given to Chris Paul, and things look so swell with him at the helm of this sleek yet powerful vehicle that is the Los Angeles Clippers.

Paul's focus is making sure that an early exit does not become a reality for Los Angeles. He want's the Clippers dominating his western conference foes to be the lasting image for basketball fans as the days of the NBA Playoffs dwindle down. For the last several years, the last picture of Paul that was snapped was one of him marching off the floor into another summer of anguish and disgust.


Tonight, Paul wanted to silence those that stated he would struggle to contain Westbrook. Chris wanted to hush those that yapped bout his past postseason miscues. He wanted to show the world that he's not only the league's best point guard, but one of the league's best player.

Paul carried out this duty through pure and utter dominance of the Thunder on Monday night, and he hopes this success can be sustained for the remainder of the series.

No, there is no need to overreact. It's simply just one game, and the tide of a series can change fairly quickly and surprisingly. But, it's time to show recognition to the Clippers as one of the league's deepest and most talented ball clubs.

They boast a boatload of talent, with the ability to go nearly two deep at every position. Their assault is absolutely relentless, with the most confident and skilled commander to lead them in the trenches. Paul is absolutely the mantle when it comes to point guards, as there is simply no comparison in today's league.

Those playoff shortcomings may not loom any longer, as Paul and company will look to truly pounce on OKC Wednesday, and take a 2-0 series lead heading back to Los Angeles.

The high shooting percentages the Clippers thrived off of in game one will likely vanish in the next contest, but this could be just the beginning of Chris Paul's brilliance in this series. As the chatter of him not being a superstar gets louder and louder, Paul will continue to turn up the notch on his level of dominance.

Maybe then, the doubters will be silenced, electing to appreciate the genius of the league's best point guard Chris Paul.

Impressed with Paul's start in the second round? Share thoughts and opinions with me on Twitter (@wcboyer24) and continue to support The Basketball Society. 

2014 NBA Playoffs: DeAndre Jordan finally finding his niche with Clippers

DeAndre Jordan was formerly seen as a one dimensional player, who's freakish athletic ability catapulted him to the crest of everyone's top ten plays. However, his atrocious free throw shooting, shaky footwork and unpolished post game left him navigating through troubled skies, but with Doc Rivers at the coaching helm, things have looked up for the 25 year old Houston native.

Rivers has expressed complete and utter belief in Jordan, something that was clearly absent with former coach Vinny Del Negro.

In LAC's 113-103 Tuesday night triumph over Golden State, Jordan played a monumental role, as he scored 25 points, snagged down 18 rebounds and swatted 4 shots. These gaudy numbers make Jordan the first player since Tim Duncan in 2008 to have 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks in a playoff game.

He's also the first player to accomplish this feat while shooting over 80%.To some this may be surprising, as Jordan registered an abysmal performance the contest before this.

Jordan in game four had 0 points, and was primarily a non factor in the contest as the Warriors put a thorough waxing on the Clips.

The Jordan of year's past would've grown frustrated. He would've let his output in game four rattle him psychologically, as he pondered if such a performance would lead to him being parked on the bench.

His performance Tuesday shows the maturation that not only his game, but his mentality has undergone, and it displays the discipline in which Doc River's his instilled within DeAndre. Jordan remained focused and eager, and this set the stage for him to dominate in game five, giving the Clippers a 3-2 series edge heading back to Golden State.

In the Clippers past playoff bouts, Jordan was yanked off the floor as Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans were primed to play crunch time minutes. Jordan played 22.6 MPG in the 2011-12 playoffs, and then logged 24 MPG in the 2012-13 postseason.

This year under Doc, Jordan is playing 34.6 minutes per game in the first round series against the Warriors, and with an his increased responsibility has come increased production.

In the playoffs thus far, DeAndre is averaging a postseason career high 12.2 PPG (6th among centers,) 13.8 RPG (2nd best this postseason,) and 4.2 BPG (1st best this postseason.) He's learning that his dominance doesn't just have to be restricted to the defensive end, as his expertise in leaping and running the floor gives him a major edge over most bigs.

DeAndre has perfected the rim run, proceeding to dash to the rim after a major block or key rebound. Usually, these sprints towards the hoop result in a beautiful dime from the league's best point guard Chris Paul, or a lob from counterpart Blake Griffin.

His interior game isn't the most polished, but he's making the most out of his opportunities in the paint. Jordan is looking more and more comfortable as each game transpires, and this success can be accredited to his coach, point guard and most importantly himself.

Jordan's dedication and hard work has placed him in this position. Yes, he has garnered knowledge from external sources along the way, but he's seizing his potential and maximizing it. He's putting himself into a position in which he can thrive, and his teams success is becoming dependent upon this.

DeAndre isn't letting egocentric thoughts plagued or distract him. He isn't letting his role or the size of it bother him. He's remaining focused on what coach Rivers is telling him to do.

He knows coach Rivers respects him, and to redeliver that respect to Doc, DJ is doing everything Doc asks. Rebounding, blocking, defending, and cleaning up offensive miscues is usually what is demanded from Jordan, and he's proving to the basketball world that he's more than capable of doing all of this.

He's anchoring the Clipper defense, as his energy and effort has made attacking the rim a burden for Steph Curry and company. He's corralling every rebound with such a ferocity that it makes it intimidating for the opposition to even try and attempt to grab one.

On Tuesday night, with the game very much in the balance, DeAndre stepped to the free throw line trying to continue to add on the Clippers lead. Jordan shot eight free throws in the fourth quarter, connecting on six of them. Even in the midst of his misses, he was reassured completely by his teammates and coaching staff.

In years past, every clank would increase the likelihood of Jordan being strapped to the bench in the games waining moments. He pondered how his services could be utilized in crunch time, but the answer to this question seemed distant as Jordan was forced to gaze upon the action from the bench in the games most heart wrenching moments.

Now with Doc helping him, the confidence has skyrocketed. Jordan knows that it's okay to miss free throws, and not to let the past determine his future. He knows that he must play through it, and these "Hack-A-Jordan" episodes can be overcome with poise and control.

Doc knows that Jordan's contributions are so beneficial to the team that a few missed free throws by Jordan may not be the worst thing, especially if he can control 15 plus rebounds and block 3 plus

shots.

Tuesday night, Jordan did a remarkable job of putting his stamp on the game, and with each and every stride he takes, the Clippers could take another one as well as they attempt to be the one's to cross the finish line at the seasons conclusion.

In the wake of all the Donald Sterling madness, Jordan's continued growth is a diamond in the rough. As the NBA and the Clippers have rid themselves of a foolish and ignorant figure, Los Angeles has gained an individual booming with confidence and promise.

DeAndre is out to prove that his game is multifaceted, and that the one dimension conviction is one that is extremely false. If the Clippers intend to close this series out in six games, they may need Jordan to produce in the same fashion he did Tuesday evening.

Oracle Arena is sure to be rocking, and Steph Curry and the Warriors are salivating at the thought of extending this series to a game seven. For Jordan and the Clippers, they must be ready to put an end to this dream so they can continue to chase theirs. That's what the NBA playoffs are all about, and that is what makes them so unique.

Will the Clippers close it out at Oracle Arena? Has DeAndre Jordan impressed you this postseason? Share thoughts and opinions on Twitter (@wcboyer24) and continue to support The Basketball Society. 

Top 5 Active NBA Point Guards- #1

1. Chris Paul 

When it comes to floor generals, Chris Paul is the don-dadda, the cream of the crop and the alpha male. Paul's dominance is not restricted to just one position, as he's not only the league's best point guard, but also one of the league's best players.

Many try to discredit Paul by claiming he hasn't enjoyed much postseason success, but there is still an abundance of time left in the 29 year old's career to truly assert himself as a legendary figure when it comes to point guards. Paul may not have the championship rings of Tony Parker, or the Finals experience of Rajon Rondo, but he does possess talent that surpasses both of those guards.

Paul is averaging 19.1 PPG, 10.7 APG which is tops in the NBA and 4.3 RPG. He shoots 46.7% from the floor and 36.8% from downtown. He's 6th in scoring among PG's and 3rd in FG%. Paul is 6th in PER league wide 25.9, which makes him the highest rated point guard in this category.

He also leads the league in steals per game at 2.48. CP3 has 39 double-double's this season, which is 1st among point guards and 10 more than second place guard John Wall. Also, his 11 double-double's at the beginning of the season tied Magic Johnson's record of most double-double's to start a season.

What's most remarkable is the discipline Chris Paul displays when the ball is in his hands. He has 663 assists in only 62 games which places him 4th among point guards. The three guards ahead of him all have 220 turnovers or more, with two of them turning over the ball 290+ times. Paul isn't even top 20 in turnovers among the league as a whole.

Obviously, Paul has only participated in 62 contests due to injury, and if he had been able to play the entire season his turnover numbers would be higher, but this is still a remarkable feat.

With numbers such as these, CP3 has the highest assist to turnover ratio in the league (4.57) which is absolutely outrageous. The next highest is Pablo Prigioni at 3.88, but he only logs 19.5 MPG, compared to Paul's 35.

 Paul possess some of the best handles in the NBA. His crossovers are speedy, his dribbles effective and his overall orchestration of the offense is a thing of beauty. Obviously Blake Griffin's emergence lifts some of the heavy offensive burden off of Paul's shoulders, but make no mistake, he slings the rock and shares the wealth unlike anyone else.

Paul leads the league in assist percentage at 48.8% and he creates the most points a game with his assists at 24.5 a game. Add this with the 19.1 PPG he scores a game, and CP3 is single handily responsible for 43.6 PPG for Los Angeles.

He's an offensive force at the point guard position that's not to be dealt with, as Paul's talents allow him to carve up the toughest defenses on a nightly basis. He's a dual threat, as he can provide the Clippers with a much needed scoring punch, or simply rip a defensive scheme to shreds with precise and crisp ball movement.

Statistics illustrate Paul's wizardry on the offensive end perfectly, as he's 2nd in offensive rating (124.7,) 6th in offensive win shares (9.1,) and 7th in total win shares (12.3.) No surprise, that Paul maintains the league's most potent offense as LAC leads the league in PPG at 108. He has 23 games with 12 assists or more, including a 42 point, 15 assist triumph against Golden State and a 34 point, 16 assist, 6 steal showing against Portland.

Unlike some players, who just dabble in dominance on the offensive end, Paul has the ability to extend his terror to the defensive side of the ball as well. In addition to leading the league in steals per game, CP is second in steal percentage at 3.5% and his defensive win shares sit nicely at 3.2.

From a physicality standpoint, the former Wake Forest star isn't the most intimidating match up, but his steady stream of trash talk and the Clippers high octane attack can frustrate opponents who aren't completely emotionally stable. This forces certain players into mistakes or even confrontations that can result in the assessment of technical fouls or even an ejection.

Paul plays the passing lanes very well, and when he's fired up he will really get engaged defensively and take it personally to stop the opposition from finding any success or rhythm offensively. Paul's constant barking on both ends is an attempt to rectify any and all mistakes the Clippers may make. He's a coach on the floor, and a fantastic leader, which are the most important traits a point guard must possess. This is why Paul flourishes so much, and why his teammates enjoy playing with him.

Paul's leadership tactics are incredible, as he plugs everyone into their comfort zone, allowing them to prosper to the highest degree possible. He listens, he communicates and he dictates the entire flow of the game to favor his team. He's made numerous players better, and continues to do so as his intensity and dedication rubs off on others. Blake Griffin has risen as one of the league's best players this year, and a huge reason for him elevating his game is Chris Paul.

Paul constantly chirps about winning, his championship aspirations and holding everyone to a certain standard of excellence. Loafing and coasting will not be tolerated, and although annoyed at times, Griffin realized he must improve to truly help Paul and the Clippers hunt down a championship. The pressure on Griffin was immense, yet he worked on his game and rose to the occasion.

Pressure in the NBA simply means you have untapped potential. Potential to impact a team so significantly that it may be the difference between bathing in championship success, or drowning in the murky waters of defeat. Simply put, pressure means greatness potentially awaits.

The pressure is on the Clippers this postseason, as they hope an improved roster, coaching staff and Griffin is enough to push them to the top. Having the best point guard in the league certainly helps as when thinking of floor generals, Chris Paul is considered the best. He is the mantle and there is absolutely no debating this.


Is Chris Paul the league's BEST point guard? If not, who is? Did you agree with my rankings? Share thoughts and opinions with me on Twitter (@wcboyer24) and continue to support The Basketball Society. 

#3 - Los Angles Clippers

Donald Sterling and the Los Angeles Clippers had one of the biggest victories this summer in stealing head coach Doc Rivers from Boston for a three-year, $21 million deal. Rivers is one of only four active NBA coaches with an NBA title, and has become widely recognized as one of the better execution coaches of this era. Re-signing point guard Chris Paul after becoming a free agent on July 1 was much easier with the hiring of Rivers just a week prior. Frankly, the Clippers don't make it this high on my list without Doc Rivers.

But I do like the personnel additions to a Clippers roster that finished around middle-of-the-pack of the league in three-point shooting last season at just under 36 percent. For an offense that relied strongly and abusively on two-man basketball and one-on-one break downs, their lack of outside shooting threats hindered their potential to space the floor and spread the offense (even though Caron Butler and Willie Green were two of the league's best corner three-point shooters last season -- Butler shot 47 percent, Green shot 48 percent). I think this was addressed in the three-team deal that sent Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler to Phoenix and a draft pick to Milwaukee in exchange for J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley, two notable floor spacers and system players. Compensating for the loss of Bledsoe as a bench spark is a capable Darren Collison, who started his NBA career as back-up to Chris Paul in New Orleans. 

I believe the Clippers' fate is still somewhat bound by Blake Griffin's progression. Similar to what Chris Paul iterated to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN in August, I think this team needs Griffin to have a special year under his new coach for the Clippers to make that leap. Even though Doc Rivers expressed his desire to employ more of a motion offense, the two-man crux of Paul and Griffin is still the centerpiece of their offense. A key staff addition by Rivers was Alvin Gentry, who coordinated that same kind of motion offense for several years with the Phoenix Suns. Defensively, we'll what Rivers can inspire out of his individual project of DeAndre Jordan. Between the new coach, new shooters, and left over pieces from last season (Matt Barnes, Ryan Hollins) I feel this Clipper team has more balance for this season, some are saying enough to earn them a bid to the NBA Finals.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

+NBA 

+Los Angeles Clippers 

Doc Rivers wants motion for Clippers offense

Reporting from the Clippers' scrimmage on Wednesday, Broderick Turner from the LA Times focused on the desired offense from new head coach Doc Rivers. Though Rivers wants to be a "running team", consistent with the latest strong point of "Lob City", he also wants to be a "motion team", with key words being "constant motion" and "constant movement".

Rivers knows the beautiful simplicity of your standard motion offense, and how it can be of particular benefit for this team with their new pieces. Frankly, the Clipper offense was too-often reduced to hold-the-ball isolations with Chris Paul or Jamal Crawford when it came to needing a bucket. Rivers now also has J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley, who are both willing and capable floor spacers that stretch the defense and move without the basketball. Side note: the Clippers were middle-of-the-pack of the league in three-point shooting last year at just under 36 percent. Signing on Alvin Gentry as an assistant is important if you recall the Phoenix Suns from 2009 to last year. Watch segments of that Suns offense and tell me that movement and spacing don't make a huge difference.

LINK: Chris Paul on Doc Rivers: "He told me I wasn't anything".

I still want to see Doc's development of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, in terms of utilizing Griffin's intimidation in the two-man game to open up those new shooting threats, and maybe transferring some Kevin Garnett energy to Jordan. As always, defense will be a question. The word "execution" was used in Rivers' comments to Turner, which really became a staple of his championship Boston Celtics team from 2008 and on. Granted his personnel in LA is younger and more athletic (as he acknowledged) but Doc Rivers has the resources, not to mention just as good of a point guard, to furnish this team with a structure and drive that brings teams over the hump.

Let's just wait and see the motion. 

- Martin S.

@marley_mcfly

Chris Paul: "I think our team will definitely go as Blake goes"

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul had a recent sit down with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne to talk expectations and the offseason for Lob City. Paul signed a five-year, $95 million extension last month, not long after they signed head coach Doc Rivers to a three-year, $21 million contract. Added personnel for the Clippers this summer includes shooters J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley, and back up point guard Darren Collison.

Paul expressed his angst entering his ninth year in the league, acknowledging his shortcomings and the desire to reach his championship goals in the time he has left. A large portion of his discussion with Shelburne featured Paul's teammate Blake Griffin, and how their relationship has been manifesting. Paul admitted there were adjustments that had to be made on both sides, but gave his pick-and-roll partner high praise, calling Griffin a "special player in this league" and implying the Clippers' success will be synonymous with Griffin's.

I expect to see a more fluent half court Clipper offense with Doc Rivers making the calls, but Paul and Griffin's pick-and-roll game is the crux of their attack. With more three point shooting in the mix (Redick, Dudley) Rivers will have options to space the floor for that two-man game. That being said, I think Chris Paul is onto something. I think Blake Griffin is heading into a portion of his career that needs to be special, particularly under an expert play caller such as Doc Rivers. Still, it could be Griffin's duty, even more so than Paul's, to come up big come next April/May. I believe he is the second best playmaker on this Clipper team, even as an undersized big, because of his ability to pass, dribble, or finish off the catch and off the bounce. This requisite two-man game needs Griffin's thorough skill set to truly flourish, and then maybe Chris Paul can stop doing offseason interviews about how he wants to win a championship. Check out a Paul-Griffin highlight reel below and their first commercial together, which was released today, via Foot Locker.

                                          
                            

Haneef Munir dunks over Blake Griffin at Jordan Brand event (VIDEO)

This weekend's Jordan Brand event in Santa Monica featured NBA posterizer Blake Griffin, but this was the most recognized highlight. Watch 5'10 guard Haneef Munir, known as "Young Hollywood", execute a between-the-legs dunk over the Clippers forward: