The Real Los Angeles Clippers Return

It was only a matter of time before the real Los Angeles Clippers showed up to the NBA party. For the past few years, they have tried to fool the masses by acquiring better players than years past, and have even spending a little money. Just as with new experiences, you might not know how to work all the angles and gadgets. The Clippers have just shown they were unprepared to move up in the NBA, and they can say hello to the 2009 NBA Draft Lottery.

The downfall started a few days ago when it was reported that the Philadelphia 76ers were making a strong push for Elton Brand , and it was confirmed today that the he had signed with Philadelphia. Brand was the consummate Clipper, but I think he finally realized that the team would never be as committed as he would like to putting a winning team on the floor, and losing takes it toll on anyone. The 76ers present a young athletic team that plays hard, and are showing the willingness to put out a good product. They have one of the most tenacious fan bases that loves its athletes, and there will be no more 2nd banana to the other basketball team in town

The true losers here are the fans, and Baron Davis. The fans of the Clippers had hopes that after getting a verbal agreement from Baron Davis, that he would team with Elton Brand to contend in the competitive Western Conference. So much for trying to step out of the shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers. Another snag may appear in their plans as Davis has yet sign his contract, and it could be a possibility as the plans crumble in front of him. I am sure there are some serious doubts going on in the mind of Davis at this point, especially as he enters into the last half of his NBA career, and that money is not the only thing happening.

The Clippers are also going to lose their leading scorer from last year, Corey Maggette. This, plus the loss of Brand leave the cupboard bare for next year even if Davis signs. The next best player on the Clips is center Chris Kaman. Although Kaman is an up-and-coming player, he is only a center, and not necessarily a play maker. So I anticipate an even farther fall next season than the 12th place Western Conference finish they experienced in 07-08, even if Baron Davis signs. As a basketball fan, it is hard to witness such a fall, and public missteps that the Clippers are making. I never want to see a team crumble, especially when all it would have taken was careful planning. The Clippers were unprepared, and did not posture themselves to keep Maggette, and Brand, and free up cap space to sign Davis, or one of the few other quality free agents.

The lone bright spot of hope for the Clippers is that restricted free agent Josh Smith is wooed by what they are offering, and the Atlanta Hawks do not match. Good Luck.