Oh, those wacky Clippers

When I first planned on writing about basketball, the last thing I expected was to be writing about the Clippers. Yeah, I know they had that one good season where they were bounced in game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, and that injuries hampered them last season (particularly, Elton Brand’s and the gruesome Shaun Livingston knee injury) but the Clips have never really been of much interest to me. (The one thing I remember most about them from last year was that bought Sam Cassell’s contract out so that he could win a championship in Boston)

But the once-infamous Clippers have their fingerprints all over the offseason. After grabbing Baron Davis to pair off with Brand, then losing Brand to the Philadelphia 76ers (whom, by the way, may be a team to watch out for this season. They gave the Detroit Pistons a scare early in their first round series last year, and think how much better they’ll be with Brand manning the post). Suddenly, though, they pull off a steal by coming away with all-defensive team regular Marcus Camby in a trade with the Denver Nuggets for – wait for it – a second round pick.

That’s right, they didn’t give up a single player to get Camby. And now, they just signed up Golden State restricted free agent Kelenna Azubuike to an offer sheet. With the Warriors first priority signings being Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins, there’s a possibility LA might come away with this clean.

So you might be looking at a lineup that looks like this

C Chris Kaman
F Camby
F Al Thornton
G Cuttino Mobley
G Davis

Bench
Eric Gordon
Azubuike
Tim Thomas
DeAndre Jordan

Best case scenario looks something like Baron makes Gordon his new Monta and the rook averages better than (or at least close to) 15 a game to complement Davis’ 25. Thornton furthers his development and becomes a legit starter in the league. Camby and Kaman clean up the glass as they norm close to 30 boards a game combined. Everything falls together and they go and contend for the last spot in the western conference playoffs. Their moves won’t make them better than the Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Jazz, Rockets, Mavs or Blazers. The Suns, I’m not so sure about, seeing as their hopes fall on the knees of old men Shaquille O’neal, Grant Hill and Steve Nash (how much longer can he play MVP-type basketball? He was outplayed last year by Chris Paul – so I’m guessing he stopped playing on that level months ago).

Of course, the Clips have nothing to feel secure about. Camby is known for missing tons of games because of injuries. Kaman will being coming in fatigued because of a tour of duty beside Dirk Nowitzki on the German National Team. Gordon could play like a rookie. Jordan WILL play like a rookie. Thornton is a second-year guy so his youth might be exposed as well. That leaves Baron with what – Cuttino Mobley? Tim Thomas??

One thing’s for sure, the team’s going to be one to watch out for. Davis is an insane talent who can make miracles happen (see: Warriors-Mavs 2006). It would be a different story if they still had Brand. But right now, they have a shot at crashing the playoffs party. That’s enough for most fans, I guess. If they do make it, I hope they find themselves an 8th seed, matched up against the number 1 Lakers in a Staples Center series. Think of the possibilities.

Baron Davis could have scripted it any better himself.

Tags: Baron Davis, Clippers, Lakers, NBA, west