1st-Round Rewind: Jackson-led Dubs fall to Clips amid Sterling scandal
With the start of 2019-20 NBA Playoffs delayed, theScore's basketball editors are picking their favorite first-round series from years past. Today, we're looking back at the 2014 seven-game series between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers that quickly became overshadowed by the Donald Sterling scandal.
The setup
The "Lob City" Clippers entered this series looking to prove that a core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan could advance deep into the playoffs following back-to-back early exits. With championship-caliber head coach Doc Rivers in his first year with the team, the expectation for this group was title or bust.
Griffin seemed primed to help the 57-25 Clippers elevate to new heights after averaging 24.1 points and 9.5 rebounds during the regular season. He would finish third in MVP voting that year.
On the flip side was an up-and-coming Warriors squad that had just reached the 50-win plateau for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign, going 51-31 under head coach Mark Jackson.
The series
The stars: While Griffin carried over his strong scoring numbers into the series, Jordan's work around the rim stole the show in Games 5, 6, and 7. The high-flying center hauled in 18, 19, and 18 rebounds, respectively, playing a key role in closing out a Warriors team that lacked size on the interior without injured starting center Andrew Bogut.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry's shooting touch and facilitating played a key role in the Warriors pushing this series the distance. The Davidson product provided glimpses of the All-NBA player he'd soon become, averaging team-bests in points (23) and assists (8.4) per game.
Turning point: A leaked audio recording of Sterling, the Clippers' then-owner, making racist remarks was released by TMZ two days before Game 4.
The tape caused widespread outrage and quickly overshadowed the actual basketball being played between the two teams.
Prior to Game 4, the Clippers gathered at center court to reveal they were wearing their warmup attire inside-out to hide the team's logo in a form of silent protest against Sterling. The Warriors considered boycotting Game 5.
Commissioner Adam Silver - who had just taken over for David Stern less than three months earlier - took unprecedented action against an owner by issuing Sterling a lifetime ban just hours before Game 5.
In the wake of the incident, a highly publicized legal battle involving Sterling and his wife, Shelly, ensued. The Clippers were eventually sold to Steve Ballmer for a reported $2 billion.
X-factor: Coming off winning his second Sixth Man of the Year award, Jamal Crawford provided some much-needed scoring punch for Los Angeles. After getting off to an extremely slow start through the series' opening three contests, Crawford returned to his usual form, averaging 21.5 points through Games 4-7 to help the Clippers advance.
Breakthrough player: Draymond Green only started 12 games for the Warriors during the regular season with David Lee and Bogut locked into the team's starting power forward and center spots, respectively. Shortly before the playoffs began, Bogut was ruled out indefinitely due to a broken rib, which presented Green with an opportunity to earn significant playing time.
The Michigan State product took advantage, making four starts in the series while averaging 32.6 minutes per game. Green seemed to gain more confidence as the series progressed, producing double-doubles in Games 5 and 6, followed by an efficient 24-point outing in Game 7.
Green's impressive showing helped set the groundwork for his substantial role as a do-it-all defensive anchor in the Warriors' soon-to-come dynasty.
The highlight
A questionable no-call against Paul on Curry's potential go-ahead 3-pointer in Game 3 allowed the Clippers to regain homecourt advantage and take a 2-1 series lead.
Considering how poorly L.A. played in Game 4 amid the Sterling drama, having a one-game edge in the series after three games made all the difference.
The legacy
After overcoming the adversity of the Sterling scandal against the Warriors, L.A. bowed out to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, marking the third straight year the Clippers failed to advance past the second round. It was another in a series of missed opportunities for a talented team that never reached the Western Conference finals.
As for the Warriors, they were only beginning their ascension toward the top of the West. The decision to fire Mark Jackson following the series - and eventually replace him with Steve Kerr - helped set up Golden State's overwhelming run of dominance.
Kerr helped spearhead the Warriors' retool into a perimeter-oriented juggernaut. Additionally, his decision to make Green a full-time starting stretch-four the following season in favor of Lee played an instrumental role in Golden State winning three championships in the next five years.