Would Dwight Howard Make Los Angeles Clippers Immediate NBA Championship Contenders?


Richard Mackson – USA TODAY Sports

Rumors have been circulating about a Dwight Howard move from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Los Angeles Clippers and whether or not it would turn the Clippers into contenders for the 2014 NBA Championship. Unfortunately, Howard’s addition to the Clippers would hinder their efforts to win a championship rather than help improve their team.

The Clippers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2013 Western Conference NBA Playoffs, but it was their first year with point guard Chris Paul on the team. Next year will be much better as the players adjust to become a more cohesive unit; championships don’t happen in the first year.

To be honest, Howard, in his current form, would ruin any hope of a 2014 NBA Finals appearance for the Clippers. He is the type of player that needs to control the style of play, and a team needs to be built around him. The Clippers would have to rebuild their team around Howard rather than continue to improve on a talented squad, and that would hinder their efforts to win a championship.

The Clippers are already contenders for the NBA Championship. They are missing a few key pieces to be legitimate NBA title threats, but they definitely have what it takes to contend in the upcoming season.

The Clippers should keep their 2013 NBA Draft pick and work on getting a very good three-point shooting sixth man, possibly Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Georgia Bulldogs or a back up for Paul, like Missouri Tigers PG Phil Pressey.

Howard would make the Clippers less of a NBA title contender than they already are. The Clippers needs to focus on improving their current squad, rather than bringing in another superstar. Howard will have success again, eventually, but moving to the other side of Los Angeles would be bad for him as well as the Clippers.

Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS or add him to your network on Google


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