With Paul George inked to a new 5-year extension, it seems like the Clippers have everything they need to be title contenders for years to come.
But according to Stephen A. Smith, their window for winning a Championship may have already closed. Here’s what he said in a segment on ESPN’s First Take:
“As far as I’m concerned, the Clippers had their opportunity and they blew it because Kawhi Leonard didn’t show up in Game 7 and neither did Paul George. It’s one of the most horrific performances from a dynamic duo in a Game 7 in NBA history. There is no way to get around it. It was a complete choke job, plain and simple.
Having said all of that, it would be easier to make amends if somebody else had won the Chip. But it’s what Kendrick Perkins alluded to in the previous segment — Anthony Davis got a taste, the man is a Champion now, he finally got past the Semi-Finals. He got to the Finals and played lights out.
Now that you have him with LeBron James, what they didn’t do is allow somebody else to get a sniff of winning.”
The Clippers are rolling into the season with much of the same roster they had before. With the exception of Montreal Harrell, everyone will be back and ready to make up for their disappointing finish in 2020.
Unfortunately, increasing competition in the West and Championship experience by the Lakers will only prove to make the road even narrower.
If the Clippers want to find real success in this upcoming campaign, they’ll need the very best from their two stars and a lot of lucky breaks to fall their way.
