West Round 2 Preview: (2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Clippers

There are four All-Stars in the series, but Scott Brooks might be the pivotal character.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

By The Numbers

Oklahoma City:
59-23 (34-7 Home; 25-16 Road)
PPG: 106.2 (5th); PPG Allowed: 99.8 (12th)
+6.3 Average Scoring Margin (3rd)
Off Rating: 108.1 (7th); Def Rating: 101.0 (5th)
+7.1 Net Efficiency Rating (3rd)

Los Angeles:
57-25 (34-7 Home; 23-18 Road)
PPG: 107.9 (1st); 101.0 (14th)
+7.0 Average Scoring Margin (2nd)
Off Rating: 109.4 (1st); Def Rating: 102.1 (7th)
+7.3 Net Efficiency Rating (2nd)

Season Series: Tied 2-2
Los Angeles 111, Oklahoma City 103 (November 13)
Oklahoma City 105, Los Angeles 91 (November 21)
Los Angeles 125, Oklahoma City 117 (February 23)
Oklahoma City 107, Los Angeles 101 (April 9)

West Round 1 Preview: (3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

DeAndre Jordan improved by leaps and bounds in 2014.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

By the Numbers

Los Angeles:
57-25 (34-7 Home; 23-18 Road)
PPG: 107.9 (1st); 101.0 (14th)
+7.0 Average Scoring Margin (2nd)
Off Rating: 109.4 (1st); Def Rating: 102.1 (7th)
+7.3 Net Efficiency Rating (2nd)

Golden State:
51-31 (27-14 Home; 24-17 Road)
PPG: 104.3 (10th); PPG Allowed: 99.5 (10th)
+4.8 Average Scoring Margin (T-4th)
Off Rating: 105.3 (12th); Def Rating: 99.9 (3rd)
+5.4 Net Efficiency Rating (6th)

Season Series: Tied 2-2
Los Angeles 126, Golden State 115 (October 31)
Golden State 105, Los Angeles 103 (December 25)
Golden State 111, Los Angeles 92 (January 30)
Los Angeles 111, Golden State 98 (March 12)

Editor's Choice: Jeremy's 13 Favorite Stories of 2013

I like basketball.

By Jeremy Conlin  (@jeremy_conlin)

Yesterday we brought you editor Joe Parello's Top 13 Stories of 2013, and today it's my turn.

I will do my best not to repeat any off of Joe's list and, unlike him, I have posted my stories in chronological order. So, click through below and enjoy reliving a memorable year for SuiteSports and sports in general.

Chris Paul: Basketball Wizard

Chris Paul has taken his game to new heights early this season. (flickr)

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

In 2009, Chris Paul pieced together the greatest all-around single season for a point guard in NBA history. He had the highest Player Efficiency Rating (PER) for a point guard ever, and he became the only point guard in history to average 20/10/5 (points/assists/rebounds) on at least 50% shooting. People remember 2008 as Paul's finest season (the year he led New Orleans to 56 wins and finished as the runner-up to Kobe in the MVP voting), but in reality, 2009 was superior, almost across the board.

However, that doesn't matter anymore, because he's going to blow them both away this year.

Does Antawn Jamison Actually Help The Clippers?

Antawn Jamison has always been a good offensive player, but his poor defense could be a problem for the Clippers.

By Bennett Corcoran

The Los Angeles Clippers have made plenty of splashes this summer during free agency and attempted to shore up the frontcourt by signing veteran forward Antawn Jamison. Although his numbers dipped last season in a reserve role with the other team in Los Angeles, he still served as a productive bench spark capable of scoring in bunches. The team managed to stock up on shooters with the additions of J.J. Redick, a career 39.0% from three-point range, Jared Dudley, a career 40.5% sniper, and Reggie Bullock, who shot 43.6% from beyond the arc at North Carolina last season. Signing Jamison could bolster them enough for a deep playoff run in a loaded Western Conference.

Unfortunately though, Jamison doesn't seem to strengthen Lob City’s glaring weakness in its frontcourt.

Good Moves; Bad Moves in NBA Free Agency

The acquisition of Doc Rivers was integral to keeping Chris Paul in Los Angeles (flickr)

By Bennett Corcoran

As the July moratorium approaches and NBA free agency officially kicks off, let’s take a quick look at some teams that have already committed to verbal agreements with prominent free agents on the market as they attempt to improve next season. Aside from the obvious good moves like Dwight Howard to the Rockets or even Andre Iguodala to the Warriors, there are plenty of other moves out there that require a little more analysis.

NBA Free Agency Fear Rankings

Chris Paul headlines the 2013 Free Agent Class

(Editor's Note: We're happy to welcome a guest post from Josh Garvey, a Pistons fan, facial hair enthusiast, and the unofficial president of the Chris Paul Man-Crush Association)

By Josh Garvey

Instead of just ranking the NBA free agents in a normal fashion, I'd like to discuss the amount of terror hearing "My team just signed (insert name here)!" inspires in you.  All of this is, as always, dependent on contract, but it's my best guess.

Tier 1 – No terror: This is reserved for players who are very likely to meet the value of their contract and not give you excessive headaches

• Chris Paul: Well, he's not going anywhere, but hey, he’s the best, so you knew he would get some love.
• David West: His game seems to be aging well, and I don't think anyone is going to throw a particularly long contract at him. Also, most likely going nowhere.
• Paul Millsap: Doesn't seem the type to get overpaid, good locker room guy, fairly consistent, hustles.
• Chris Andersen: His age means he probably won't get an excessively long contract, one of the best bench energizers, incredibly fun saying "BIRDMAN, BIRDMAN" and "CAW CAW CAW" every time he does anything.
• Timofey Mozgov: HE PUTS FEAR IN HIS OPPONENTS, NOT THOSE WHO ARE ON HIS SIDE.