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 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT

The playoffs have met the expectations so far, but there haven’t been any major upsets. Without the upset factor, it just gets boring after a while. Right now, the Miami Heat are up 1-0 on the Indiana Pacers after winning a toughly fought Game 1. Paul George hit an incredible 3-pointer to send the game to overtime, where he scored three crucial free throws to gain the lead. He played incredibly in crunch time, but LeBron James was just a little better. With just 2.2 seconds left, James broke free and scored the easy layup for the win.

Now the Pacers are going to comeback even stronger than ever. As for the other series, the San Antonio Spurs have dominated the Memphis Grizzlies, despite being given a run for their money in game two. However, they haven’t secured the series just yet. Which teams have the best chance at getting the title?

1. Miami Heat:

No disputes here, right? Dwyane Wade is feeling pretty confident, as he’s already picked out his outfits for the finals. It may seem arrogant, but it could also just be a confidence level. His Heat are doing well right now, and looking unstoppable. Many think that the Pacers are the only team in the Eastern Conference that is capable of taking down the Heat. I tend to agree with that because they have so much depth, and an adequate center in Roy Hibbert. If they utilize him, they should do well. Still, however, the Heat have three of the best players in the NBA. That’s tough to deal with.

2. San Antonio Spurs:

After two games the Spurs are up 2-0 on the Grizzlies. It may seem odd, but they might actually be able to make it back to the NBA Finals. After everyone thought they were too old and that their NBA Finals run was finished, they responded with yet another strong season, finishing as the 2nd seed and have been able to make a deep postseason run. They’re once again solid. Tony Parker is dealing with some injury, but it isn’t serious and Tim Duncan knows how to take over games. Danny Green has been hitting every shot lately and even Kawhi Leonard is looking like a veteran. This San Antonio team may be as unstoppable as the Heat.

3. Memphis Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, but so far they have failed to show that against the Spurs. In the  first round against the Los Angeles Clippers the Grizzlies were able to win four straight after losing the first two. When their defense starts to click, it can get to be a very long night for the other team. They have a good shot at beating San Antonio, but they’re going to have to make some key adjustments when dealing with some of the Spurs bigs who have played Zach Randolph very well.

4. Indiana Pacers:

The Pacers are last on a rankings list. That could only happen in the Conference Finals. It’s going to be tough for the Pacers, who are playing the defending champions, to move one. They’re a very young team who is extremely good at times, but still is at the mercy of the King and the royalty of the Heat. When you have some of the best basketball players in the universe, you better be winning. The only way that the Pacers can jump this hurdle is for them to get Roy Hibbert back into the game. The Heat have nobody that can guard him. Lately, he’s been playing decently well, but will have to return to All-Star ways.