2012 NBA Playoffs

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul were keys to the Los Angeles Clippers' resurgence this season.

The tandem has brought the once-maligned team to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, losing to the experienced San Antonio Spurs via sweep.

Now, the team is hoping that the duo can stick around for a long time and lead them to further success and eventually the championship.

"I feel those things are going to get done," Clippers president Andy Roeser told espn.com. "The important thing is that we have to do other things to improve the team. But I believe we'll do those things and ultimately I believe those two players (Griffin and Paul) are going to play out their careers here."

Griffin can become a restricted free agent after next season if he doesn't sign a contract extension with the Clippers this summer while Paul is under contract for only one more year.

Also, the future of Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro still hangs in the balance. The team has until June 1 to decide to retain his services or not.

Roeser is confident that they can retain the players for the long haul. Griffin has expressed interest in signing an extension with the Clippers while Paul has given the team indications that he wants to stay.

Still, Griffin and Paul's decision is hinged on what off-season moves the Clippers will undertake to bolster their lineup.

Roeser said the four-game sweep at the hands of San Antonio showed the team's weaknesses in certain positions, which they will address in the off-season.

"I think one of the interesting things, when you play a team like San Antonio, is that your weaknesses are on display," he said. "It's going to give us a lot to think about in the offseason.

"I think we absolutely look at this and say, 'If we want to get to the next level, there's more we're going to have to do.' But we're prepared to do those things."

Clippers general manager Neil Olshey said owner Donald Sterling has committed unlimited resources to build a championship caliber team.

Meanwhile, guard Mo Williams said he will not opt out of his $8.5 million player option for next season.

"No," Williams said when asked if he would opt out this summer. "I can tell you that right now."

Williams had a solid season with averages of 13.2 points, 3.1 assists despite coming off the bench and mostly out of position as a shooting guard.

"This is my first time in this position. I don't think about it when I'm playing," Williams said. "I haven't thought about it. I pay a good man 4 percent of my money, so he'll make a good decision for me."

 

Hear from the Spurs after their Game 4 win over the Clippers

 

Magic fires coach Stan Van Gundy, GM Otis Smith

Orlando, FL

Stan Van Gundy said he could see it coming for months and Monday he was proven correct as he was fired as coach of the Orlando Magic.

The team also let go of general manager Otis Smith after a season of tumult with superstar Dwight Howard's status up in the air.

Team management indicated it was time to move on from the Van Gundy/Smith era, that, while successful, didn't provide the Florida city with an NBA championship.

"These are the days you dread in this business," Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a statement Monday. "But we feel it's time for new leadership and new voices."

Van Gundy, brother of ex-Knicks coach and current ABC-TV basketball analyst Jeff Van Gundy, was 259-135 in the regular season in his term but the Magic was bounced in the first-round by the Pacers as Howard sat with a balky back.

Rumors abounded that Howard told team management he could no longer play for Van Gundy.

 

 

Clippers Look to Secure Griffin and Paul with Long-Term Deals