- Feb 5, 2013
- 39,713
- 41,607
For the millionth time, that's not accurate.
Kawhi was only coming if they made the trade for PG. So the trade effectively was to get both Kawhi and PG. Coming off the season when Kawhi took the Raptors to a title and was in the conversation for best player in the game. If it was not required to get Kawhi, the Clippers would not have made that trade.
And I'm not sure by what measure the trade "set them back years".
In the Kawhi-PG era the Clippers went further in the playoffs (WCF) then they had in their previous 30 year history. They had a consistently higher winning percentage over those years than any time previously in franchise history. The Clippers became one of the most valuable franchises in the NBA. So, the trade/Kawhi acquisition was successful by most metrics except leading to an NBA title, which I get is the most important thing.
Meanwhile, great as SGA is, the Thunder haven't been past the 2nd round of the playoffs during his time in OKC and they're still ringless too (if you don't count the Sonics 1970s title).
this gotta look bad *** above the wall