Lob City: Paul’s Peak Partnership with the Clippers

In the 2011 offseason, Chris Paul was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers, teaming with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to form the famous "Lob City." It was the most entertaining stretch of Paul's career, and one of its most painful what-ifs.

The Clippers' fit seemed built for Paul: Griffin's explosive lobs and Jordan's rim runs both needed a guard who could deliver in the screen game, and Paul was the league's best feeder. In 2012-13 and 2013-14 he won back-to-back assist titles, and the Clippers broke 50 wins twice, becoming a Western power.

Lob City was a show, and Paul was the engine. His bounce passes found the rolling Griffin; his lobs let Jordan throw down. Staples Center roared again and again. That Clippers team was the ceiling of offensive entertainment.

But behind the flash was bitterness. In 2014 the Clippers blew a 2-0 lead over the Thunder in the first round; in 2015 they led Houston 3-1 before collapsing. Years of injuries and late-game meltdowns kept Lob City from the conference finals.

In six Clippers seasons, Paul turned a doormat into a contender without a trophy. That experience cemented his "ringless master" persona—the closer he got, the deeper the regret.

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