National Basketball Association

Poll: Are the LA Clippers a better spot than the Boston Celtics?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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A comparison of the LA Clippers and Boston Celtics as a better spot for Doc Rivers.

LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers made an appearance in Boston for a charity event this week. Rivers commented on a variety of topics, including his time leading the Boston Celtics.

This sprung a lot of questions, including why Rivers was even talking about the Celtics.

But…Isn't he the president and coach of the Clippers? https://t.co/G42Illsd1Z

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) September 7, 2016

Another question posed by a ESPN staff writer remains, are the Celtics in a better spot than Doc Rivers’ Clippers?

ESPN’s Chris Forseberg wrote:

Fast-forward three years, and the talent-laden Clippers have won just two more playoff series than the Celtics. Both teams are coming off a first-round playoff exit, and at least one sportsbook pegs them with similar championship odds for the 2016-17 campaign. Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has the Clippers with the fourth best overall odds at 20-1; the Celtics are right behind them at 25-1.

Not to mention, both teams finished as runners up for Kevin Durant in free agency.

Further, the article reminds us that Rivers left Boston because he did not want to be a part of another rebuilding process after a core of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen showed signs of no longer being contenders.

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Since, Boston has stacked picks and added underrated cornerstones like Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford via trade and free agency.

Rivers himself applauded the move of Horford, saying it was like when his Celtics added Garnett as their big men.

Either way, the Clippers seem more poised for an immediate contender run behind superstars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul as well as gold medalist DeAndre Jordan. That is the kind of core that some coaches never get the opportunity work with. Further, Jamal Crawford and JJ Reddick are great second-tier scoring options.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have a formidable core with Horford and Thomas. Plus, they have some young players like Marcus Smart, James Young, and Jaylen Brown. They also have solid role players like Amir Johnson, Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley.

All those players are solid, but there is no telling if Boston can get over the hump without a top-10 player in the league.

Still, both teams are considered the biggest rivals to the super teams in their conferences. The Clippers have the most match up problems for the Golden State Warriors, while the Celtics have the depth that rivals the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The biggest difference between the two teams remains the future. Beyond this season, no one knows if Griffin and Paul will return considering they both have options after this season. The entire Clippers team is also not getting any younger, nor does it have any real developmental pieces outside of this year’s rookie class.

On the other hand, the Celtics have a much more sustainable roster.

Either team could continue to be players in free agency depending on a number of variables.

Ultimately, I think Boston may be the better spot long-term because of their history and sustainable future. However, the Clippers have a real shot at a title in 2016. I don’t think any coach would trade those chances.

Rivers must agree, because the Vice President of Basketball Operations could have traded the franchise’s present by dealing Blake Griffin to Boston for a bunch of future stars. He denies any truth to those rumors. Therefore, Rivers must think he is in a better spot.

Tell us what you think by voting in the poll.

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