Top Ten NBA Players in Los Angeles
By Fern Rea
3. Blake Griffin – Clippers Forward – 2012-13 Stats: 18 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 53.8 FG percentage
Apr 22, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) defends Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) during game one in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Clippers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
There is no denying that Blake Griffin is fun to watch and worth the price of admission (at least at the reasonable cost of Clipper tickets. Lakers tickets are another story) Taking a step away from Griffin’s fun factor however, his scoring average and rebounding has gone down in each of his seasons in the NBA.
In addition to his descending numbers Griffin’s game hasn’t evolved much since first coming into the league. Griffin still depends on his superb athletic ability to score and is well below average as a defensive player. In an up and down, frenetically paced game,Griffin dominates. Where Griffin is pedestrian is when the game slows down and has to operate from a half court set. His regression as a player and limitations in his game tempted me to rank him behind Pau.
While he is still limited offensively he is still very productive and efficient on that end. At only 24 years of age Griffin has plenty of time to reach his tremendously high ceiling.
2. Chris Paul –Clippers Point Guard – 2012-13 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 9.7 assist per game, 2.4 steals per game.
Mar. 2, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul takes a shot during game against Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Clippers 81-78. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sport
2. Chris Paul
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Clippers
Point Guard – 2012-13 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 9.7 assist per game, 2.4 steals per game.
Paul, widely considered as the best point guard in the game, is coming off a season in which he came in 4th in the MVP voting, led the league in steals and was named to All NBA 1st team for both offense and defense. CP3 is the person most credited for the rise of the Clippers from perennial NBA door mats to the NBA elite. Blake Griffin might have been first to arrive in Los Angeles, but CP3 is the most important link in the chain of acquisitions that has propelled the Clippers to legitimate title contenders; none of the acquisitions more important than that of coach Doc Rivers.
An incredible resume and a player still in his prime is great but not quite good enough to take the top spot as the best NBA player in Los Angeles.
Tally
Lakers: 5 players
Clippers: 5 players