This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

In a collapse this big, all of the key players deserve some scrutiny. Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in the NBA, but General Manager Doc Rivers may have betrayed head coach Doc Rivers. As much as anything, the Clippers lost this series because their bench was simply lacking. There wasn't enough scoring among the reserves, which in turn put a ton of strain on the starters, which in turn led to a Clippers team that clearly looked fatigued in Game 7. Making matters worse, the Houston bench was the complete reversal. Deep, energetic and total game-changing ability up and down the pine.

You have to look at Blake Griffin. He enjoyed one of the best individual postseasons in history, his all-around ability on both ends really shining, as well as his skill level. And yet, he didn't do enough. In Game 6, when the Rockets made their run, Griffin needed to be a guy who could get a bucket and he wasn't. Several times down the stretch of that game, he found himself open for the same midrange jumper he'd been knocking down all season, and yet he didn't take them. It's tough to criticize a guy who's been as good as he has through this playoff, but Griffin still needs to be more aggressive in crunchtime.

And then there's Chris Paul. His career has been defined by his playoff failures, and now through a decade he still hasn't advanced to a Western Conference final. This seemed to be the year. This seemed to be a year in which he could go all the way. So not getting this done will be haunting.

So what do the Clippers need to do in the offseason? It's obvious that perimeter upgrades are sorely needed. JJ Redick and Matt Barnes aren't enough on the wings. There needs to be more. And Los Angeles has a big decision to make with DeAndre Jordan. Do the Clippers pay max dollar for his rim protection, athleticism, defense and horrid free-throw shooting? Or do they let him walk in free agency and spend the money elsewhere?

Those are huge questions that need to be addressed. Indeed, Los Angeles is a team that may be coming to a crossroads with this particular group.