The Los Angeles Clippers recent acquisition of Danny Granger was a joyous occasion for the organization and fans everywhere as he became the second big name player to join the team in less than a week. Glen “Big Baby” Davis was the first of the newly acquired players to join the team as he parted ways with a struggling Orlando Magic team. In Davis’s first game in a Clippers uniform, he helped defeat the Houston Rockets 101-93, his impact was immediate as he provided the Clippers with solid defense along with two points during his short debut.

What does the signing of Granger and Davis mean to the Clippers?

The Clippers now have a proven All-Star caliber player in Granger and versatile power forward in Glen Davis. Both players provide a significant improvement to the roster and the Clippers now look to rival the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers in a tight battle of becoming the one of the top-3 teams in the Western Conference. Another benefit for the Clippers is both Granger and Davis have very “coachable” players. Davis was a member of the Boston Celtics 2007-2008 Championship team and he was a pivotal member of the Celtics during the “Big-three” era. He adds size and depth at the back-up power forward position and he is already familiar with the coaching style and philosophy of his once former head coach Doc Rivers .

What else does Danny Granger add to the team? He’s certainly another player who is battle tested and has the past playoff experience versus tough teams like the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls to prove it. During the height of his career with the Indiana Pacers, he lead the team in scoring, represented the team as a reserve in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, and helped the US Senior National team win gold during the 2010 FIBA World Championships. When 100 percent healthy, Granger provides the Clippers with another scoring threat who can score anywhere on the court.

Doc Rivers must be smiling ear to ear in regards to the various combinations he can experiment with when arranging his most efficient starting lineup. The only delima for Rivers would be deciding which player at the guard position to pair alongside Chris Paul. Do you bring Jamal Crawford off the bench or do you continue to play him with Paul? Crawford is an offensively minded player, which could mean less touches for Granger.

On thing for sure, current starter Matt Barnes looks to return to the second unit as Granger certainly the best option offensively for the Clippers.

Los Angeles Clippers Current Starting Line-up

PG – Chris Paul

SG – Jamal Crawford

C – DeAndre Jordan

PF – Blake Griffin

SF – Matt Barnes

Clippers Projected Starting Lineup

PG – Chris Paul

SG – Jamal Crawford

C – DeAndre Jordan

PF – Blake Griffin

SF – Danny Granger

Are the Clippers talented enough to reach the Western Conference finals?

Absolutely, I think the projected roster would raise problems for the any team during the playoffs, and if Granger can perform like the former All-Star player he once was, the Clippers could find themselves facing either the OKC Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference finals. The Clippers are good enough to snatch the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the West, as they are two games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 3 playoffs seed.

The Clippers have the talent, a NBA Championship coach, playoff experienced players, and the best point guard in the NBA (Chris Paul). There is no excuse why this team shouldn’t advance deeper into the playoffs than the year prior. The Clipper now have control of their own destiny.

Will the Los Angeles Clippers Reach the 2015 Western Conference Finals? Yes!

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