May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Grant Hill (33) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) walk off the 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

Following an early exit in the first round, the Clippers are going into a period with a lot of questions. For example, who’s going to be their starting point guard next season, or who’s going to be their head coach next season? The future of the team really depends on the signing of Chris Paul, a guy who really made the Clippers good, and helped them get to the playoffs and clinch home court advantage.

Up 2-0 in the series, the Clippers were looking really good, putting themselves in a position to put the Grizzlies away easily. Unfortunately for them, however, they dropped four straight games, and were booted out of the playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies, who now have a 2-1 lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder. It may be because the Grizzlies are a fairly good basketball team, the coaching of Vinny Del Negro, or the injury to Blake Griffin. Either way, something is going to have to change. The Clippers are “confident” that Paul will re-sign, so will there need to be a change in coaching?

The dream of getting Phil Jackson to coach the Clippers is long gone, but the Clippers could still get a decent coach with a good background. There’s plenty of good ones out there. Not saying that Del Negro should be immediately fired and taken over, but it may be time for a change, as the Clippers haven’t been able to get it together in the postseason. Again, it may be because of inexperience, and lack of chemistry, but after an unsuccessful playoff stint like this one, people go into panic mode and get angry if there’s no big changes.

1. Change of Coaching:

Don’t get me wrong, Vinny Del Negro is a decent coach with a lot to offer, but without Chris Paul, who knows where he would be? In his first year with the Clippers, they had a losing season, and started winning right when they acquired Paul. It may be a coincidence, but considering that he is one of the best point guards in the league, I don’t think that it is. Whether the Clippers higher Stan Van Gundy or PJ Carelismo, it has to be done if they want to have some postseason success.

2. Drafting a Power Forward:

Before you freak out, I’m not saying that the Clippers should replace Blake Griffin next year. I’m simply saying that they need a capable backup power forward in case Griffin gets injured again. In these playoffs, it was hard to see him take a couple of falls and fall to injury. The Clippers tried to play him off the bench, but he just wasn’t doing well. Now, however, in the NBA Draft, the Clippers have a chance to get some insurance and draft a power forward, because Ronny Turiaf isn’t exactly the best option.

Feb.14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6), power forward Blake Griffin (32) and point guard Chris Paul (3) on the bench in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Clippers won 125-101. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, the signing of Chris Paul is an “X” Factor in this case, but other than that, the Clippers have it pretty good. A rumor that startled me, and I’m sure you too, was that Chauncey Billups is going to retire, and then become a possible coaching candidate for the Clippers. It was very surprising to me, and I don’t feel as if that would be a very smart move for them. Billups, of course one of the best at one point, was a great player, but God knows how great of a coach he could be.

Now, it’s time to focus on the Clippers’ real issues. They were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round last year, and in the first round this year. The Memphis Grizzlies are some fierce competition, and that is a team that is tied 1-1 with the number 1 seed. At the beginning of this season, the Clippers started off very hot, and seemed like the best team in the NBA. If they can keep rolling like that, they could easily finish second or third place, getting some easier competition like the Lakers or the Rockets.

Unfortunately for them, however, Chris Paul suffered many knee injuries, and the Clippers lost their flow. Eric Bledsoe was decent, coming into the starting lineup, I’m sure all agree with me in saying that he’s no Paul. Still, however, the Clippers showed that they have the depth that’s needed to do well without Paul.

Blake Griffin is a rising star, and he’s backed up by another star in DeAndre Jordan, while the veteran experience of Caron Butler and Jamal Crawford helps out in scoring. This is a good roster on paper, even without Paul. Speculation is that he’s going to re-sign with LAC, but there’s always that chance that Paul goes somewhere where he wants to win. With Vinny Del Negro’s future in LAC uncertain, the Clippers are likely going to have a new coach by next year. The decision Paul has to make, however, is whether he wants to continue to play with Griffin or not.

For another point, the Clippers have only had their current roster for a couple years. Getting to the second round in Paul’s first season as a Clipper is pretty huge, considering the Clippers hadn’t made the playoffs since 2005. This year, they were unfortunate because of injuries to Griffin and Paul. This doesn’t, however, mean that they should make any huge decisions.