The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the favorites to win the NBA title due to the emergence of All-Star forward Blake Griffin and the leadership of superstar Chris Paul, who has dominated the ball less this year with the blessing of coach Doc Rivers.
Via ESPN.com, River said: "I think Chris realized last year in the playoffs, holding the ball, getting double-teamed, getting down to late shot clocks every time, you're not going to win that way. Movement, quick decisions, pulling it and swinging it and trusting the pass -- that makes Chris impossible to guard. And I think he realizes it now."
Rivers revealed that Paul had to adjust to the role demanded from him. After all, Paul is known to having the ball most of the time. But Rivers was able to convince Paul to give up the ball early in the offense and trust his teammates.
The effect of the new Clippers offensive scheme was evident during Paul's absence for 18 games back in January and February where the team held fort and Griffin emerged as a top three NBA player. Paul was also happy with the effect ,saying: "Sometimes it's about the pass that leads to the pass. It's been fun, passing the ball ahead to Blake, letting him push it and make plays. It's not always about the assist."
With the Clippers holding steady at the third seed in the ultra-competitive West, players like backup center Ryan Hollins credit Rivers for instilling an unselfish attitude in the locker room. "It's tough sometimes to tell an All-Star or a superstar, 'Hey, change this in your game,' and for them to receive that and make the change. But Doc has a way of getting players to accept their role within his schemes."
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