Mike Scott’s assessment of the Clippers last week was blunt, unapologetic and rather accurate. The idea that the Clippers are no longer a “joke” was established by Blake Griffin in 2011 shortly after the team swapped three players and a first round draft pick for Chris Paul. It’s no longer news that the Clippers are not a moribund franchise. Escaping the label of lacking toughness, well, that’s been more elusive.
Through most of the past six-plus seasons, the Clippers earned the reputation as complainers, irritants, and a team that was too often cast with misfortune and a certain lack of intestinal fortitude.