For all you non believers, what makes the Clippers a contender?

Many people seem to be pointing to history as an indicator that the Clippers are not a contender. Either than their name and jerseys, how are they the same old Clippers? They finally have legitimate star power in CP3 and Griffin. They have Billups' experience, and some solid veteran players in Butler and Mo. DeAndre is also a solid C who fits in perfectly with the Clippers. That sounds like a contending team in my book! However, I think the fact that their bench is poor and they have never played together will slow them down, especially in the play offs. Personally, I believe that Clippers make the playoffs easily, they have a good shot at making 2nd round, but it's a stretch to get to the Western Conference Finals. I believe that Clippers can make the 2nd round easily as long as they don't play OKC/Lakers/Dallas AND as long as they make 1 or 2 more final moves to improve their bench. Their starting 5 is solid, no doubt, and Williams is a great 6th man assuming they keep him. There is, however, a huge hole in the C position. What are your thoughts on their center? Also, who thinks that they should go for a REAL backup 2 or 3. If they get a solid 3 (IMO Richard Jefferson would be AMAZING but highly unlikely) then Caron could always move to the two spot. And if you had Caron 2 Jefferson 3? That is deadly on defense. So I know that there is no way this is happening with the limited cap space, but it would be crazy if they were able to obtain Troy Murphy and Richard Jefferson. I know that is near impossible, but could you imagine?
CP3/Bledsoe
Billups/Williams (you can change his position with Bledsoe)/ Foye
Caron Butler/Richard Jefferson
Blake Griffin/ Gomes (He can also play a bigger 3)
DeAndre/Murphy
not to mention their two rookies, although there is no guarantee for them... What do you guys think?