The Spurs and Clippers will face each other one last time on their first round series this Saturday in Los Angeles. It's a win or go home situation, which ups the pressure and the drama on its own, no matter the participants or any other circumstances. In this case, however, there's a lot more at stake than the chance to advance to the second round in the West. The future of both franchises could be seriously affected by the result of a single game. So let's take a look at could happen to the loser of Game 7.
There’s more at stake in Game 7 of Spurs vs. Clippers than a spot in the West semifinals
The loser of Game 7 will face some hard questions heading into the postseason.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
What’s at stake for the Spurs
If the Spurs get past Los Angeles, we'll be ensured at least four more games from Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. If they don't, both or either could retire. Duncan is still one of the best big men in the game and he's said he plans to play until he feels he can't contribute. We are not at the point yet so it seems unlikely he'll walk away, but anything is possible. He's not the type to have a farewell tour so it would be completely in tune with his character to quietly announce his retirement after the playoffs end. Ginobili has been saying he's noticed his decline and that basketball is not his number one priority anymore. He's also been benched in favor of Danny Green recently late in games, so his retirement seems more likely. If the Spurs stumble, two hall of fame players could be on their way out.
Even without speculating about retirements, the Spurs are facing a potentially franchise-altering summer. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Marco Belinelli, Cory Joseph, Matt Bonner, Aron Baynes, Jeff Ayres and Reggie Williams are all entering free agency. If Duncan and Manu want to return the Spurs will have them back. Leonard is expected to be signed to a max contract by San Antonio, so he should be safe. Everybody else, though, could leave the team as it transitions into the Leonard era.
Danny Green is the most interesting case. Green has built a career for himself as a premier 3-and-D wing. He’s averaged above 40 percent shooting from outside on at least four attempts a game in the last three seasons, something only other nine players have done. He’s also an above-average perimeter defender who can guard point guards as well as wings. He’s due for a huge payday. Yet, in the playoffs he’s shooting 27 percent and it’s not the only series in which he’s struggled with his shot. With Leonard taking the hardest defensive assignment every night, the Spurs could feel like Green is more of a luxury than a necessity and let the unrestricted free agent leave. Green, who is often on the receiving end of Gregg Popovich rants, could also decide to make a change.
A loss would also make San Antonio a much less appealing destination in free agency. LaMarcus Aldridge is rumored to be interested but if the Spurs lose so early, and with Duncan, Green and Ginobili potentially not on the roster next season, he could decide joining Leonard and Parker would be risky.
What’s at stake for the Clippers
A loss would cement Chris Paul’s legacy as a playoff choker, despite him playing amazing throughout the series and for most of his postseason career. It would be doubly hurtful for Paul losing this one because he’s not getting any younger. He’s at the height of his powers now but he’s turning 30. If he experiences a drop in production the Clippers could become Griffin’s team, depriving the best point guard of his generation of a deep playoff run as the best player on the floor.
A loss could also mean the end of DeAndre Jordan's tenure with the Clippers. Jordan will become an unrestricted free agent and will likely get maximum offers from several teams. Los Angeles can offer more money but a different franchise can tempt him with a bigger role, like the one he experienced earlier this year with Griffin out with injury. Jordan has flirted with the possibility of leaving the team that drafted him before, signing an offer sheet with the Warriors when he was a restricted free agent that the Clippers matched.
With Steve Ballmer now in place of Donald Sterling, Doc Rivers defending him at every turn and considering his friendship with Griffin, Jordan could decide to stay but it's also possible that the Clippers don't offer him the max to preserve flexibility. The Paul-Griffin-Jordan trio could be broken up.
Jordan is not the only one who could be on his way out. There will be an urgency, justified or not, to make changes after a potential first round exit. The Clippers have cashed in all their chips getting this team together with this coach at the helm and don’t have cap space or a lot of assets to change their roster via trade. That leaves letting their own free agents go as the only option for an overhaul.
Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford have partially guaranteed contracts for next season. If the Clippers don't make a deep run, Doc Rivers could decide the supporting cast is not up to par and cut ties with the two veterans, hoping to replace them with younger pieces. No one will be safe after what will surely be construed as a failure despite the competition the Clippers faced.
★★★
There is a lot riding in Game 7 of this series. Not only one of the best teams in the league will see its season end but there could be repercussions in the future of the losing franchise. The pressure to win will be enormous. We’ll who handles it better on Saturday night.
★★★
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