2023 NBA Playoff Odds: Bad News For Ballmer's and Kawhi's L.A. Clippers
Well, hello, Clippers fans, but sorry to report this is not going the way you hoped when your ballsy owner doubled down by trading for Paul George and signing free-agent Kawhi Leonard.
And the former Microsoft (who gave up a ton: Five first-round picks)?!
Yowza!
For what? Injury-prone, past their prime superstars?
Starting to look like that.
At the time, in 2019, it seemed to make sense to pair those two together.
Incredible talents both, but bodies break down in the NBA nowadays and even with load management, also for both, the future doesn’t look great for the long term.
Unless you count the fact that Ballmer is done sharing the Crypto.com arena (whoa, boy, don’t get me started) with the rival Lakers.
In 2024, the Clippers will move from Los Angeles to Inglewood (where the Lakers once played) following the construction of its new stadium: The Intuit Dome.
If only other people could have seen this team’s demise coming. Or, in other words, “the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.”
I kid, Steve.
“Everyone thinks that a new place or a new identity will jumpstart a new life.”
– Caroline Leavitt
Maybe. Maybe next year for the Clippers. But it certainly looks like they’re done in this series against the Suns.
They’re down 2-1 and there doesn’t appear to be any real timetables (they don’t exist in the NBA anymore, remember?) when they’ll return.
With that in mind, here’s a reminder:
I like younger teams and I’m still saying in the West it’s either the Kings or Nuggets to reach the Finals against either the Bucks or Celtics. (Hint: Bet on Boston)
But in closing, let’s look at who oddsmakers think will NOT win their first-round series. This doesn’t look good Hollywood, sorry L.A., sorry, I meant, Inglewood.
In California’s Tarantino’s sort-of words: This series is as dead as fried chicken.
Ovah.
(Oh, wait, unless pulled hammies happen for the Suns. Just wanted to give you hope, Clips fans.)
FanDuel’s NBA Odds For First-Round Series
Los Angeles Clippers +750
Phoenix Suns -1200
