3 bold predictions for the LA Clippers' 2021-22 NBA season

2) LA Clippers to finish in the top 4 seeds in the West

LA Clippers coach Ty Lue

As bold as this prediction is, given the strength of teams in the Western Conference and the fact that Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for most of the season, there is some merit to it.

Over the past two campaigns, the LA Clippers have had win percentages of 65% and 68%. When the league last had an 82-game season in 2018-19, these numbers would've placed them in either the third or second seed.

With Leonard out, there is bound to be a dropoff, but not so much that the LA Clippers can't win 60% of games, which would have still earned them the fourth seed last year.

Other teams in the conference also have their issues. The Utah Jazz and LA Lakers are likely to battle for the top spot. However, the Lakers did struggle with injuries last season and have a squad with an average age of 32.

The Denver Nuggets will have to cope without one of their best players, Jamal Murray. Moving down the rankings, the Mavericks have just hired a new coach in Jason Kidd and haven't improved their roster to the extent that many expected. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are still biting their nails, hoping that Damian Lillard will want to stay at the franchise.

If Paul George plays at an elite level and the LA Clippers continue their impressive three-point shooting, they definitely have enough to crack the top four.

3) Reggie Jackson to earn an All-Star call-up

Reggie Jackson was electric for the LA Clippers in the playoffs

Reggie Jackson surprised everybody with his postseason display for the LA Clippers and looks primed to be the team's secondary scorer this year.

The 31-year-old played well for the Clippers during the regular season, putting up 10.7 points per game and shooting at 43% from deep. However, when it came to the playoffs, his confidence took his game to another level.

This Reggie Jackson shot was TOUGH 👀 pic.twitter.com/MzN8aoocdz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 17, 2021

Jackson started all but two games for the LA Clippers, scoring 17.8 points per contest. He also shot above 40% from three and at 48% from the field.

Jackson consistently kept his side within touching distance of their opponents, stepping up in timely moments when others were failing to score. When Leonard was sidelined for the conference finals, he scored over 20 points a night.

The criteria for All-Star voting changes each season, depending on what certain players are able to average. Jackson will have felt hard done by in his Detroit Pistons days after not receiving a call-up despite averaging 18.8 points and six assists in the 2015-16 season.

However, if he plays similar minutes to his postseason run and continues his shooting accuracy, he may be an outside chance of making the All-Star game.