This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Beware wounded animals, riptides and NBA teams racing against the sands of time.
The Los Angeles Clippers will come into this postseason with a bevy of talent, as well as a sense of desperation that can't be simulated. The combination of circumstance, familiarity and individual ability make the Clippers a dangerous foe for a Utah Jazz squad making its first playoff appearance as a group — and the first playoff experience ever for key players such as Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood, Joe Ingles and Dante Exum.
"There's urgency every year," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said earlier this season. "We want to win it as much as we ever have. We're trying to be a great basketball team and there's urgency in that. If we don't have urgency in that, we're not going to achieve it."
Clippers starters Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul and J.J. Redick have played together since 2013-14. Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford has also been with the team throughout that stretch.
Not only have they developed chemistry by having played together, but the Clippers have experienced postseason success together. They went to the playoffs each of the past three years as well as the previous season before Redick joined the group. They've advanced to the Western Conference semifinals in two of the past three seasons.
However, they haven't ever advanced to the conference finals — let alone the NBA Finals.
"It's all about the story, you know what I mean, stuff go well it's like, 'They drew back on those experiences, and that got them through it,'" Paul said to the Orange County Register at Wednesday's shootaround. "I'm not that person, I'm like what happens now is what happens. We've got to build for right now. Utah is not going to be like, 'Oh, we need to let them beat us because of what happened last year with Portland.' No, it's about competing right now and seeing what we're made of."
The Clippers, who have the fourth-highest payroll in the NBA this season, know they could run out of chances with this core group after the season. Paul, Redick and Crawford are all 31 or older. Paul, a nine-time All-Star, has missed significant time due to injury in two of the past four seasons, including this one.
NBA economics make it increasingly difficult to keep star-laden teams together for an extended period. They nearly lost Jordan, a two-time All-Defensive Team selection, to Dallas via free agency two years ago before a last-minute change of heart. Griffin, a five-time All-Star, and Paul can each opt out of their contracts after this season.
While Paul has reportedly agreed to re-sign with the Clippers after this season, Griffin has been the subject of trade rumors as recently as this past February. As of last week, he remained stubborn about not wanting to discuss his potential free agency or willingness to sign a contract extension.
"I've loved my time here, absolutely," Griffin told the Orange County Register last week. "But my main focus right now is the season. I said this before the season, I'm not doing the whole free agency talk. I'm not talking about any decision I can't make right now. Like I said my main focus is getting this team right and moving forward and being right heading into the playoffs."
Twitter: @LWorthySports