May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) walks off the court after being ejected during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-105. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Before Chris Paul entered the scene, the Los Angeles Clippers weren’t a great basketball team. With Vinny Del Negro at head coach, he wasn’t running the team very well. Blake Griffin was just a rookie, but life was beginning to come to Los Angeles. It was no surprise that once Paul was traded, the fans would regain hope, and they had good reason to. The Clippers have a solid roster, good bench players, and a great point guard, but can they make the playoffs with only two of those three?

When Paul was injured this season with a knee contusion, the Clippers didn’t play terribly without him at 6-6. This is right at .500 without an elite point guard that virtually runs the team. The Clippers depth, along with a young talent in Eric Bledsoe, may  be just enough to keep them in contention. In the Western Conference, however, a 41-41 record is certainly not good enough to make the playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks finished with that record in the 2012-2013 season, and finished 10th place in the standings. In the Eastern Conference, the Mavericks would have been the 8th seed, and actually would have had a chance to beat the Miami Heat.

With that being said, the Clippers will obviously find themselves in some trouble without Paul, as Bledsoe is nothing like him, but the coaching is also a huge factor. When Griffin is 100 percent he’s one of the best power forwards in the league. If the Clippers continue to work on him, he may be able to lead the franchise to some wins. Paul is always the x-factor and would the championship piece that Clippers are in need of. Sure, they’ve had him these past two seasons, but it takes longer than that for chemistry to really grow. Del Negro is now out as the head coach, and the Clippers are obviously looking for a replacement. Who knows? Maybe they’ll land someone like Stan Van Gundy who’ll get it right.

The Clippers are a deep basketball team, and have a chance to make the playoffs next year, no matter the destination of Chris Paul. This is all speculation, but Bledsoe could really break out. Comment below your opinions.

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up court in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-105. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t want to tempt fate, or knock on wood, for that matter, but I’m sure that the Los Angeles Clippers are going to re-sign Chris Paul, who has really turned this franchise around. When Blake Griffin made his rookie debut, many thought that he was going to be dangerously good, and in a way, they were right. Unanimously voted Rookie of the Year, Griffin hasn’t failed to impress. He is one of the main reasons that the Clippers are going to see Paul re-sign.

Paul may be enjoying some time off to really think about these things, but the fact of the matter is that he loves the Clippers, who have really found a flow. As I’ve said over and over again, there’s no need to panic just because the Clippers have failed to make very deep postseason runs. This team has only been together for two years and is just now gaining chemistry. If it switches around, all of that will be lost and rebuilding will start again. When Paul realizes this, which he will, the Clippers will be back at it next season, to maybe usurp the San Antonio Spurs as the next dynasty.

1. Blake Griffin:

The very first reason is Griffin. Paul loves to throw dazzling alley-oop passes that stun other crowds and make his home crowd cheer. Everyone loves this. He also likes how Griffin can make a bad pass look good by leaping into the air to grab a lob that isn’t even on its way down yet. That’s insane, and Paul knows that he would like to stick around that. Not only is Griffin an incredible dunker, but he is also one of the best power forwards in the league and is continuing to progress as each season goes by.

2. Coaching Change:

I know, I know, you’re thinking that I say this entirely too often, but hey, it’s going to have to happen. Paul, just like any other player, hates to play on a team that isn’t going anywhere. If the postseason troubles continue for the Clippers, which I’m sure they won’t, they’re going to have to get a new coach. One way or another, Vinny Del Negro isn’t going to be the Clipper coach for too long. Maybe after the change is made, Paul will decide to re-sign with LAC and test the water with the new coach. That would be a wise decision for him, and in his defense, no one likes losing.

3. How Things Are:

Not only does Paul thrive on Griffin, but he also enjoys running a basketball squad. Yes, he did this with the New Orleans Pelicans, but again, it’s not very exciting when you barely make the playoffs and fail to get past the first round. This is what the fans want to see: Chris Paul running the showtime in LAC. He’s a great ball-handler and passer, and he always shows flashes of brilliance. He is the perfect point guard for LAC, and he knows that.