The power shift in Los Angeles basketball is here to stay for another season, at the very least. While the Los Angeles Lakers are still in rebuilding mode, the Los Angeles Clippers are hoping that next season will result in them hanging that elusive championship banner in Staples Center.

The Clippers have transformed themselves from the laughing stock of the league, to true and worthy contenders of the title. It all started with the acquisition of Chris Paul, arguably the move that caused the upward trend.

The league’s perception of the Clippers is changing, and nothing proves that more than the hiring of championship head coachlast season.

Last season, their playoff run was overshadowed by the controversy after controversy. First, it was the Donald Sterling saga. Players and team personnel were left in a lurch as Sterling’s racially charged comments were played again and again on air for weeks.

They were questioned by the media, asking for their opinions and thoughts on the matter. Basketball was far from their mind until the matter was taken care off.

Next, Clippers’ fans will remember the controversial refereeing decisions in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a hard-fought series, each game going down to the wire.

Game 5 was the tipping point, when during the final minutes of the game, a series of questionable refereeing decisions were made.

I won’t go into detail about it, as it will bring up sore wounds, but the Clippers’ certainly had some bad luck in last season’s playoffs. They’ll be looking to shake that off next season, and hopefully see their journey end in blue and white confetti.

What are the key factors if the Clippers are to realize their dreams of World Champions?