TMZ: Clippers' Ivica Zubac Has Watch Worth over $20k Stolen from Home in Robbery
Nov 16, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 120-106. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac
witnessed two people fleeing his property when he returned home
Friday night to an apparent robbery in progress.
TMZ Sports reported Tuesday that Zubac called
police, who cleared the home but weren't able to locate the suspects after they "ransacked" the house and escaped with items that included a Rolex watch valued over $20,000.
The Clippers were off Friday night amid
a six-game homestand. Zubac left his home around 8 p.m. local time
and returned at roughly midnight to find a ladder placed to his
second-floor balcony, which the robbery suspects used to leave the
home before jumping a fence to escape, per TMZ.
Police continue to investigate the
matter.
It's the latest in a long line of
burglaries at the homes of well-known individuals in L.A.
In 2018, police said MLB player
Yasiel Puig and NFL player Robert Woods were among the growing
list of victims as an organized group of burglars targeted
celebrities based on the likelihood of their homes being unoccupied
based on posts on social media and travel schedules, according to
CNN's Faith Karimi and Cheri Mossburg.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore told Richard
Winton of the Los Angeles Times last week a new trend emerged where
individuals would follow a celebrity to their home before robbing the
residence.
"People need to be aware of the
surroundings, especially leaving nightclubs, restaurants and what
have you," LAPD Sgt. Hector Olivera said. "It seems that the
suspects are targeting individuals [with] expensive jewelry,
expensive cars and things of that nature."
Zubac has spent his entire six-year NBA
career in Los Angeles. He started as a second-round pick of the Los
Angeles Lakers in the 2016 draft before joining the Clippers in a
February 2019 trade.
The 24-year-old Croatian has averaged
9.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks across 13 appearances during
the 2021-22 season.
L.A. returns to action Tuesday when it
wraps up the homestand by hosting the San Antonio Spurs at Staples
Center.
Paul George, Reggie Jackson Power Clippers to Win vs. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Nov 10, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 9, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Paul George's 24-point, nine-rebound, seven-assist evening led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 117-109 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at Staples Center.
The Clippers hit 16 of 30 three-pointers as Reggie Jackson (23 points) and Nicolas Batum (22) complemented George's efforts.
Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard added 27 points to lead all scorers.
The 6-4 Clippers have won five straight games. The 5-6 Blazers have lost four of six.
Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic: 15 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists
Clippers F Paul George: 24 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
Clippers G Reggie Jackson: 23 points, 6 assists
Clippers G/F Nicolas Batum: 22 points, 6 rebounds
Clippers' Top Trio Too Much for Blazers
All five Clippers starters scored 11 or more points, and the trio of Batum, George and Jackson combined to score 69 points on 27-of-53 shooting (12-of-20 from three-point range).
In the end, that firepower was a bit too much for the Blazers to handle.
Batum in particular was sensational, dropping in 6-of-8 from deep, including five in the second half.
He did work everywhere on the court, between knocking down threes, playing tough defense and finishing strong in the lane, like so on this third-quarter bucket:
Jackson continued to crush his opponents, and he now has averaged 22.8 points per game in his last four contests. He's also shot 42.5 percent from three-point range after going 3-of-5 on Tuesday.
This one from the Staples Center logo cut the Blazers' first-quarter lead to one.
The Clippers have fared well even without two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who continues to recover from a partially torn ACL. A big part of that is because of George's leadership, which Batum touted postgame.
"He knows how to adjust, he know when to takeover, take shots, play for the other guys," Batum told reporters.
With that, everyone seems to be in sync as the offense remains on fire. George has played the biggest role, but Jackson, Batum and others have done their part as the Clippers continue their surge up the standings.
Late 8-0 Clippers Run Seals Portland's Fate
Despite the Clippers' hot shooting, the Blazers were still in this one late.
Lillard continues to put his early season slump in the rearview mirror by scoring his 27 points on 11-of-23 shooting. Norman Powell got hot and dropped 23 on 8-of-13 shooting, and the double-double machine known as Jusuf Nurkic continued his post dominance with a 15-point, 13-rebound evening.
With all that, the Blazers found themselves down just 103-100 with 3:39 left following a Nurkic three.
However, Portland couldn't get it done on either end down the stretch.
Jackson missed a layup, but Ivica Zubac was right there for the putback and 105-100 lead.
A six-point swing then occurred as Lillard missed a three before Batum drilled one of his own for a 108-100 edge.
Portland then had three possessions to cut the Blazers' lead down to five or six but came up empty each time. George effectively put this one away with another tough three-point play for a 111-100 lead with 1:22 left.
Credit to Portland for hanging with the hot-shooting Clippers, who were tough to keep pace with as they made more than half their three-pointers. In the end, that was the difference in this game.
Portland had its chance, but it couldn't get the needed buckets and stops down the stretch as the Clippers were able to finish them off late.
What's Next?
The Blazers will continue their four-game road trip with a Wednesday matchup against the Phoenix Suns at 9 p.m. ET at the Footprint Center.
The Clippers' six-game homestand will now feature a date with the Miami Heat on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Nikola Jokic's Brothers Respond to Marcus Morris' Tweet: 'We Will Be Waiting for You'
Nov 9, 2021
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic looks on after being moved to the bench following his altercation with Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Denver. Jokic was ejected for his part in the scrum. The Nuggets won 113-96. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The feud between Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris has escalated quickly in the wake of Monday's incident involving both players late in the Denver Nuggets' 113-96 win over the Miami Heat.
Jokic and Morris were ejected in the fourth quarter following an on-court incident that resulted in a minor skirmish on the floor:
Jokic and Markieff Morris both got ejected after exchanging fouls during Nuggets-Heat.
The officials and coaches for both teams did a good job of containing the situation in the moment. Miami's medical staff came out with a stretcher for Morris, but he was able to walk off the court under his own power.
Jokic was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, and Morris received a flagrant-2 foul. Both were ejected from the contest. Jimmy Butler also received a technical foul for yelling and gesturing at Nuggets players to come at him.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Jokic called it "a stupid play" and he's "not supposed to react that way."
Marcus Morris Sr. Responds to Nikola Jokic Shoving Brother Markieff: 'NOTED'
Nov 9, 2021
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 8: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets hits Markieff Morris (8) of the Miami Heat with a retaliatory blow after Morris bumped Jokic near mid court during the fourth quarter of Denver"u2019s 113-96 win on Monday, November 8, 2021. The altercation resulted in an ejection for Jokic and a flagrant and two for Morris. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus
Morris Sr. took note of how the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic went
after his twin brother, Markieff Morris of the Miami Heat, during Monday
night's game.
Waited till bro turned his back smh. NOTED ✍🏾
Markieff Morris started the sequence with a hard
foul Jokic to stop a fast break by the Nuggets late in the fourth
quarter of an eventual 113-96 win by Denver, and the reigning NBA MVP
responded by delivering a shoulder barge into the back of Morris
after he'd turned around to walk away.
Jokic and Markieff Morris both got ejected after exchanging fouls during Nuggets-Heat.
The Heat forward laid on the court for
a while, but he was eventually able to leave under his own power. Head
coach Erik Spoelstra, who called it a "very dangerous and dirty
play," said Morris was moving around well in the locker room after
the contest.
"This whole thing could have been
a whole lot uglier if Markieff was actually facing Jokic,"
Spoelstra told reporters. "The fact that he had his back turned
and he made a play like that, blindsiding him, just a very dangerous
play."
Jokic sounded a remorseful tone after
getting a chance to watch the replay of his hit on Morris.
"It's a stupid play," Jokic
said. "I feel bad. I am not supposed to react that way. ... I
thought it was going to be a take foul. ... I think it was a dirty
play. And I just needed to protect myself. I felt bad. I am not
supposed to react that way, but I need to protect myself."
He added: "I don't know who showed
me the clip, and actually his head snapped back [after the shove], so
I feel really bad. ... It's a bad move."
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said
he'll wait to hear from the league office to see whether Jokic, who
was ejected from the game, faces any additional punishment.
"I will concern myself when they
tell us he's suspended," Malone said. "I am not going to
waste any of my time looking into my crystal ball and my tea leaves.
I don't have any of that. He's available until they tell me he's not.
And I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be available Wednesday
night."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyz31-3znVg
Denver's next game is Wednesday night
against the Indiana Pacers. It faces the Heat again Nov. 29 in Miami and takes
on the Clippers and the other Morris twin for the first time this
season Dec. 26 in L.A.
Meanwhile, Miami continues its
five-game road trip Wednesday night when it visits the Los Angeles
Lakers.
Clippers' Paul George: 'I Don’t Give a S--t' About Receiving Outside Criticism
Oct 19, 2021
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 8: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers looks on during a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 8, 2021 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard may miss the 2021-22 season, leaving the Los Angeles Clippers' fate in the hands of Paul George.
He seems ready for the challenge.
"It's just an approach where I don't give a F," George said of outside criticism, per Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times. "I don't give a s--t. That's just how I attack the court now. Like I said, I don't need validation. I'm my worst critic, and that's the only thing that matters—the only thing that matters to me."
George has taken regular criticism, particularly for postseason shortcomings, but came into his own as a leader after Leonard partially tore his right ACL in the 2021 playoffs. He spearheaded the Clippers' upset of the Utah Jazz in Round 2 and kept them competitive against the Phoenix Suns in the conference finals.
"I've done a good job of that in my career up to that point of not allowing outside noise to affect me, so that's really where the page turned," George said. "The corner turned for me was, I don't care what anyone else has to say. Like, 90 percent of the people who are critiquing me can't do what I do. It's just funny that someone can call someone else out of what they do, what their profession is, and people buy into that.”
George and Leonard came together with title expectations but are two years into their partnership without hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. No such expectations exist this season with Leonard rehabbing his ACL injury, leaving George as the only star on the roster.
The best-case scenario for the Clippers would see George lead them to a playoff berth as Leonard returns late in the regular season and is 100 percent for the postseason. While that is possible, George will have to come into his own as a leader and have the best season of his career.
Clippers News: Isaiah Hartenstein Getting Los Angeles' Final Roster Spot
Oct 16, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers Center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) is defended by Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green (0) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
The Los Angeles Clippers announced Saturday that center Isaiah Hartenstein wil land the final roster spot for the start of the 2021-22 season, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium initially reported the news.
The team also announced it waived Harry Giles III.
The 23-year-old Hartenstein signed with the Clippers in September after splitting the 2020-21 season between the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hartenstein, who was born in the United States and represents Germany internationally, has three years of NBA experience.
The Houston Rockets selected him in the second round of the 2017 draft, and he spent his first two seasons in Houston, appearing in 51 games.
Before last season, Hartenstein was perhaps best known for his G League performance with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was named the 2019 NBA G League Finals MVP and led the Vipers to a championship.
Hartenstein posted only modest production in his first two-and-a-half NBA campaigns, but he showed greater potential last season after getting traded to Cleveland.
In 16 games for the Cavs, Hartenstein averaged a career-high 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in 17.9 minutes per contest. He also shot an impressive 58.2 percent from the field.
The 7'0" Hartenstein faced some stiff competition in terms of making the Clippers' roster given the interior depth they possess with Ivica Zubac, Serge Ibaka and Marcus Morris Sr.
A strong preseason helped his cause, though, as he averaged 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 blocks in 13.3 minutes per game.
It is unclear precisely how much Hartenstein will play at the beginning of the season, but given his size, skill and age, he had a legitimate chance to carve out a significant role.
Terance Mann, Clippers Agree to 2-Year, $22M Contract Extension
Oct 12, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Monday, June 28, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The Los Angeles Clippers and guard Terance Mann agreed to a two-year contract extension on Tuesday.
Mann released the following statement to Marc Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated regarding the transaction:
"It is with tremendous honor and pride that I sign this extension with the Clippers. The faith and commitment in my development and contribution thus far will provide me the motivation I need as I continue to be a pivotal part of our championship run. I want to thank the front office for this opportunity to remain a part of the Clipper Nation. I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates for believing me and allowing me to grow both on and off the court."
The 24-year-old Mann, who is in his third NBA season, will make $22 million over the life of the extension.
Per Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times, the extension will keep Mann under contract with the Clippers through the 2024-25 season.
Before the extension kicks in for the 2023-24 season, Mann will make just under $1.8 million in 2021-22 and just over $1.9 million in 2022-23, according to Spotrac.
L.A. selected Mann in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft out of Florida State, and it took some time before he became a contributor.
After averaging just 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 41 games as a rookie, Mann became a much bigger part of the rotation last season.
Mann appeared in 67 games, starting 10, and played 18.9 minutes per contest, which was an increase of more than 10 minutes per game from the previous year.
In those 67 games, the 6'5" wing averaged 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc.
It was during the playoffs that Mann earned the extension, however. On the surface, his numbers didn't look much different from the regular season, as he averaged 7.6 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 43.2 percent from deep.
Mann played a much bigger role after Leonard got injured during the second round of the playoffs against the Utah Jazz, though.
In Game 6 of that series, Mann went off for 39 points, leading the Clips to victory as they advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
The Phoenix Suns beat the Clippers in six games in the conference finals, but Mann showed the ability to be a go-to guy when called upon.
Since Leonard won't be ready for the start of the 2021-22 season after undergoing surgery to repair a partial ACL tear, Mann figures to have a bigger role early in the season.
Clippers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Ahead of Schedule in ACL Injury Rehab
Oct 2, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, shoots as Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale defends during the second half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is ahead of schedule in his rehab for a partially torn ACL suffered during the second round of the 2020-21 NBA playoffs.
Multiple sources provided the news to Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated, who released this information on Friday:
Kawhi Leonard may be out for an extended period of time this season, but he hasn't been completely ruled out. Multiple sources have revealed that as of right now, Kawhi Leonard is ahead of schedule with his ACL tear rehab.
Even though Leonard is ahead of schedule and feeling good, the Clippers are in no rush about bringing him back. Kawhi underwent surgery on Tuesday, July 13. In some cases, athletes have returned back to practice in about 8-9 months after an ACL tear. In the most ideal scenario, Leonard could return to practice around March-April.
League sources have indicated a hopeful return around that time frame, but it's simply too far ahead to say right now. Those on the team are very impressed with the progress Kawhi Leonard is making, but they fully understand how far away any type of return is from now.
News regarding Leonard's progress has been sparse per official team reports and comments.
"Nobody knows at this stage," Clippers governor Steve Ballmer said Friday, Sept. 17, regarding Leonard's potential return during the 2021-22 season, per Mark Medina of USA Today.
"Nobody knows. It's possible. For sure, it's possible. But it will depend on what the doctors say and what Kawhi says."
The team revealed that Leonard underwent successful surgery in mid-July and had no timetable for his return.
Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game for the Clips last year. He is a five-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA Team member who has won a pair of NBA championships and Finals MVP awards.
The Clippers managed to finish off the top-seeded Utah Jazz in the second round of the NBA playoffs, with Leonard missing the last two games. They then gave the eventual Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns a scare before falling to them four games to two in the Conference Finals.
Still, the Clippers are a far better team with Leonard on the court, and they will welcome his return as soon as possible.
For now, seven-time All-Star Paul George will lead the Clips as they look toward their regular-season opener versus the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21.
Clippers Media Day 2021: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Top Interviews, Videos
Sep 27, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and Jerry West attend a groundbreaking ceremony of the Intuit Dome, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The Clippers' long-awaited, $1.8 billion, the privately funded arena is officially named Intuit Dome. The practice facility, team offices for both business and basketball operations, retail space, and more will all be on the site when it opens in 2024. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Don't look now, but the Los Angeles Clippers media day was all about the positive vibes.
Sure, Kawhi Leonard might miss most of the 2021-22 season after partially tearing his ACL during the postseason. And no, the Leonard and Paul George pairing hasn't led to a championship yet for the Clippers.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue on Kawhi Leonard (knee): “We don’t want to force him or put any pressure on him. We want to make sure he’s rehabbing and doing everything he can to get back as soon as possible. If that’s next season, it’s next season.” pic.twitter.com/dhNPMH5apm
Ty Lue says “with the status of Kawhi, we don’t know” when asked if Leonard’s indefinite absence dampens the mood a bit. Lue says he’s excited to see what the Clippers can do this season with new additions like Justise Winslow. pic.twitter.com/BI6cBGGbeA
But a year ago, this was a franchise reeling after a shocking blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the firing of head coach Doc Rivers and a number of changes to a locker room that reportedly had issues in the first season of the Leonard-George era.
But in the offseason, Leonard committed long-term to the Clippers, potentially leaving money on the table in the process, a decision he explained Monday:
Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard on his 3+1 contract: “The best situation for me was to do a 1+1, opt out & then sign a long-term, 5-year deal… I wanted to secure some money & come back if I was able to this year. If I had took the 1+1, I probably would have not played to be cautious.” pic.twitter.com/e5ONn89UZa
Serge Ibaka said he already knew, from during last season, that Kawhi would be coming back to the Clippers. But he said he texted him when FA opened anyway, "I had to make sure he was going to be here, too."
This year, the Clippers return a team that made it to the Western Conference Finals—looking like the favorites to win the title before Leonard's injury—and that genuinely seems to like playing together.
Terance Mann on if the Clippers created a bond by coming back from 2-0 deficits in the playoffs: "It showed us who's who and what we have in each other."
Or Reggie Jackson saying he always knew he wanted to return to the Clippers as a free agent while praising the locker room environment:
Reggie said even if the Clippers hadn't wanted him back in FA he was still going to bring his bags and sit on the team's doorstep. https://t.co/bC8eDGQYyM
There was George, clearly ready to take on the responsibility of being the man while Leonard is hurt.
"I think this group showed what it can accomplish being down Kawhi. ... I'm ready for the fight for this year," he told reporters. "I've been in this position so it gives me a level of comfort being the No. 1 guy to start."
Paul George called his feeling coming into this season "night and day" from where he was one year ago at this point. Said he feels much more clear-headed.
"Whatever the capacity is, I'm ready for the challenge."
Paul George: "I just want to tackle and take on everything head on and kind of just do everything on the floor." He said he hopes this will be one of his most complete seasons.
"How can this game be a Paul George game?" he added. "All of that is just going to come from, how do I help my teammates? How do I make them better? How do I be a good teammate?"
Marcus Morris Sr. said "obviously my level of play has to go up" while Leonard is out, and praised George's ability to step up as the top dog.
"P is one of those guys that's a great leader, great player, great teammate," he told reporters. "I think it's going to be easy for him. When superstars are comfortable it's easy to get the best out of them."
Nic Batum on what the Clippers will have to do with Kawhi Leonard expected to be out for an extended time: "We all got to do better but I am pretty confident in PG leading [Clippers]."
A year after the Clippers were the target of a near-endless deluge of snark from NBA Twitter, Monday's media day was borderline...wholesome.
Sure, until Leonard is back, the Clippers won't be a title contender. But this sounds like a group that is ready to enjoy the ride regardless. What a difference a year makes.
Kawhi Leonard Says He Won't Leave Clippers 'Unless Something Drastic Happens'
Sep 27, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard dunks during the second half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kawhi Leonard plans to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers for the long haul.
The forward explained why he signed a four-year, $176 million contract during media day on Monday:
Kawhi offered a lot of insight into why he signed a long-term deal to stay with the Clippers: pic.twitter.com/ZXCCi9xzdN
"I'm here. I'm here to be a Clipper," Leonard said. "I'm not going to another team unless something drastic happens, but I'm here for the long run."
The 30-year-old declined the $36 million option on his last contract to become a free agent in the offseason. He could have signed a shorter deal to maintain flexibility, including a "one and one" that would allow him to opt out next offseason, but he chose the longer deal to stay in Los Angeles.
The big concern for Leonard is his health after suffering a partial tear to his ACL during the postseason.
Though he will miss a significant portion of the 2021-22 season while rehabbing, the exact timeline is unknown.
"I think at this point, it's just no one knows when you're dealing with a recovery from an ACL [injury], the time frame," Clippers president Lawrence Frank said last week, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. "... He has a very detailed plan with a great group, and we'll just let his body and the doctors tell us when it's the right time."
Leonard said Monday taking the long-term deal makes him more likely to return this season, whereas he would be more cautious if he would have hit free agency again in 2022.
It's good news for the Clippers, who are looking to build off last year's trip to the Western Conference finals. Even if he doesn't play this season, Los Angeles can be happy to have one of the sport's elite players through at least 2023-24.
The five-time All-Star has won two NBA titles and was named Finals MVP for each team, adding two Defensive Player of the Year awards to his resume. The Clippers will hope to have him back at full strength as they seek their first championship in franchise history.
