The Arkitekt’s Perspective

Clip Show 2012

A New Look in LA

Last season, it wasn’t even close. The top storyline in the NBA was the Miami Heat. After a controversial summer that included The Decision and King James’ prediction of “not one, not two…” rings, the Heat overcame some early stumbles and made it all the way to the Finals. Even more alluring, it was a rematch of 2006 and Dirk Nowitski had a chance to avenge the beating Dwyane Wade put on him, psychologically and physically. The ultimate heel of the NBA came in with three All Stars and left without a ring. So far, LeBron has been right: not two, not three…

This season has plenty to choose from. You have the lockout, where many people came to the conclusion that “Emperor Stern has no clothes!” Then you have the Cancelled-Trade-gate between New Orleans and Los Angeles – again, a scenario that didn’t play out very well for the Commish. The Miami Heat are simply doing more of the same; Derrick Rose appears to be challenging for a repeat MVP performance. The Celtics are losing a battle with the still-undefeated Father Time. To me, though, the most compelling spectacle is Oop City, aka Lob Angeles, aka the Blake Show. Whatever you want to call the franchise owned by the much maligned Donald Sterling, the new look Clippers are Must See TV.

Detractors are arguing that flashy, athletic, Sports Center Top Ten teams rarely make deep playoff runs when pitted against veteran groups like the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks. Those who are hopping on the bandwagon believe there is a new sheriff in town in Hollywood (a notion Kobe seems to be fighting off with his 40+ point barrages). The non-believers have plenty of evidence to fall back on. They can point to the Run-TMC offense of Golden State of the late 80s/early 90s, or perhaps look to the more recent efforts of the Phoenix Suns with Amare’ Stoudamire, Shawn Marion and Steve Nash. Plenty of wins, a million highlights, zero championships.

In my opinion, the 2012 Clippers have an X-Factor that separates them from some of the exciting teams of the past. The defense isn’t phenomenal, but De’Andre Jordan cleans up a lot of mistakes (Cough! I’m looking at you, Chauncey Billups). They don’t have a ton of experience, but Caron Butler, Billups and Paul have been in some big playoff games in their careers. But the difference is that this team, which is terribly flawed at the important shooting guard position, has the best competitor in the league. That’s right, I’m saying that this very day, Chris Paul from Wake Forest has more competitive chops than even Kobe Bean Bryant.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Kobe is still the Black Mamba and one of the baddest men on the planet. I love his television ads with all the celebrities, and we certainly can’t discredit his scoring ability. But I can’t get over what I saw in the playoffs last year against Dallas. I don’t think Kobe would ever quit in a game or in a series, but he sort of doesn’t look like he cares as much anymore. He’s already won two titles without Shaquille O’Neal, and I think he’s come to terms with the fact that nobody’s going to give him the GOAT tag. He’s only one ring behind Michael Jordan, having won five in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense to MJ’s six.

All that said, CP3 has always done more with less, his whole career. Kobe’s Lakers once suffered a talent drain and a mini-rebuild. The lowest point was missing the playoffs with a lineup that included Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, and some other forgettable. Number 24 played well and “tried,” but eventually made it clear: get me some talent or send me on my way! Paul, on the other hand, seems to always drag his team to the playoffs. Forget the fact that the second best player on the Hornets at the time David West being injured. Forget about the best big man on the team being the undersized Emeka Okafur. People forget that before he got injured, Chris was a runner-up for MVP the year Mr. Bryant won it. His coming-out party may have been the series against the Mavericks when he ran circles around future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd, a matchup that was punctuated at a timeout when CP# ran to the sideline visibly telling his coaches “He can’t guard me!”

Now, while he doesn’t have Gasol and Bynum in the post or the tradition that comes with the other Staples Center tenant, Chris Paul has two airborne targets in Griffin and Jordan, and more importantly he has the spotlight. I haven’t seen a six-footer take over the game in this fashion since Allen Iverson. Oh, and by the way, in two preseason games and one that counts in the standings, the Clippers have swept the Lakers 3-0. I’m just saying.

Naledi Semela