It seems like just last week the basketball community was celebrating the Warriors record breaking season, and Kobe’s retirement. However, since the playoffs started things have digressed for NBA faithful. After aggravating his ankle in the first round MVP-favorite Steph Curry returned to only sprain his MCL. With that his outlook shifted to have him possibly return in two weeks. This timeframe would probably have had the shorthanded Warriors in the midst of a playoff round against a strong Clippers team, but now this probably won’t happen.
In a cruel twist of fate Monday night Clippers’ point guard Chris Paul broke his hand, and star forward Blake Griffin re-aggravated the quadricep that had kept him off the court for most of the year. As a result the Portland Trailblazers went from clear underdogs to the series favorites against an incredibly banged up Clippers team. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a chance that the Clippers prevail, it’s just highly unlikely, especially with Austin Rivers tasked with shutting down a surging Damian Lillard.
For the Clippers, this could mean more than just an early playoff exit. Since Paul’s controversial trade to Los Angeles in 2011, the Clips have never made an appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Also if the DeAndre Jordan free agency fiasco last summer points to anything, it’s that internal tensions are unbelievably high within the organization. Additionally, after Blake Griffin broke his hand punching one of the team’s equipment managers a few months ago the team explored the market for his services. While Griffin is contractually obligated to remain in LA until 2018, there is a chance he finds himself somewhere else next season. Speculation is sure to run wild this summer regarding the Clippers, but it’s highly doubtful Doc Rivers doesn’t blow up the current iteration of the team somewhat this summer.
Injuries are the worst part of any sport, and have ruined plenty of NBA postseasons. In 2011 Derrick Rose suffered an ACL tear that has pretty much ruined his incredibly promising career. Last year LeBron James and the Cavs faced a Warriors team in the Finals without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, and now Steph Curry is gone for an extended period, and Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin are done for the year. It’s unclear as to what may transpire as the playoffs progress, but it’s probably a good time to avoid betting on basketball.