Former Clippers Player Makes Unexpected Prediction for Them

Former LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers likes their chances in the Western Conference

While the national media has been hard on the LA Clippers since their early struggles following the James Harden trade, former Clippers guard and current ESPN analyst Austin Rivers shared an unexpected optimistic take about their chances in the Western Conference.

"I think the Clippers are the team in the West," Rivers said. "Outside of Denver... I think [the Clippers] could be one of their biggest threats. When you look at who they have added to this team. People had a lot to talk about James coming on, his early struggles... He is starting to fit in, he is starting to get his groove. Russell has done a great job taking a back seat coming off the bench... To beat that team four times out of seven games in a playoff series, with guys like Kawhi [Leonard], Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. I know all four on the floor together might not work, but staggering their minutes like we've seen, they could be pretty good."

That last point from Rivers is one that seems to be getting looked over quite a bit. The quartet of Leonard, George, Harden, and Westbrook on the floor together has not produced good results, but the Clippers have been finding some success since altering their rotations to maximize combinations that work well together.

For Rivers, who also played for Denver, he thinks LA has what it takes to challenge the defending champion Nuggets in a playoff series.

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