Are the Clippers Finally Contenders?

The Los Angeles Clippers. Think of the adjectives that come into your mind when you hear their name. Now try this one on for size. Contender. Okay, I'll let you recuperate from shock/laughter and let it soak in for a minute ... done? Well, for you casual NBA fans who only tune in around playoff time, you've been missing one of the best starts in franchise history in Clipperland, with the best team in L.A. now wearing red and blue.

After the first 22 games of the seasons, the Clips have gone 14-8 and occupied first place in the Pacific Division. In that span, they've beaten playoff-caliber teams Miami, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Golden State, and Phoenix by double-digits. Elton Brand is having an MVP-type season, while veterans Cuttino Mobley, Corey Maggette, and Sam Cassell are all showing that these Clippers are for real.

It was four years ago when we supposedly would see the turnaround in this beleaguered franchise. Brand and Maggette, now the elder statesmen of the franchise, were teamed alongside a talented young core of Lamar Odom, Quentin Richardson, and Darius Miles. Together, owner Donald Sterling and head coach Alvin Gentry imagined a run-'n-gun offense that would bring levels of excitement to the Staples Center to rival the Lakers Dynasty. The hype was there, from the magazine covers to the ESPN reality show. But all that team could muster was 39 wins and once again, no playoff berth.

Soon after many of the players left or were traded, the Clippers once again were among the worst in the NBA. Sterling has forever been known as, to put it nicely, an owner who is tight with money. His best move, though, was keeping Brand and signing him to a long extension. With a power forward who can average 20 and 10 night in and night out with the wingspan of a hawk, at least there was something to build around.

This year was supposed to be a season just like any other, though. Sure, veterans like Cassell and Mobley were coming in, but not many expected much. The thing is, though, both have been more than formidable starters in their combined 19 years in the league.

Cassell was a part of two championship teams in Houston and even led the Nets to the playoffs. He has been a second team All-NBA selection, while averaging over 16 points per game and 6 assists per game for his career. Most of all, he has proven to be a clutch player, which can be oh so valuable when and if the Clippers make the postseason. Mobley, on the other hand, was a valuable outside asset during his tenure with the Houston Rockets, averaging nearly 16 points and 5 rebounds for his career.

So why didn't anybody check for the Clipps before the season started? Well, we had the hype surrounding Shaq and the Heat, the dress code fiasco, and, of course, the media continually shoving LeBron James and the Cavs down our throats. But even in L.A., all of the hoopla was surrounding Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant reuniting, so the Clipps just laid low and came out full force the first month and a half of the season.

Who knows, maybe they will collapse and fall to the bottom of the standings like every other Clipper team. But something seems to be brewing out of the locker room for L.A.'s other team. Perhaps they can be this year's version of the Suns or Sonics and lay the footprints for a successful team not only this year, but for years to come. No matter how many true blue Clipper fans there are, they should enjoy the ride, as should every other NBA fan. America loves an underdog and come April, there would be no better team to root for then the Clippers in the playoffs.

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And now, some news and Notes around the league for December:

* Pat Riley finally steps in as head coach of the heat, with Stan Van Gundy stepping down to spend more time with his family. Whether or not we ever know the actual reasons for the whole coaching change, one thing is evident from the whole situation. I think Shaq is a great personality, a great player, and one of the true ambassadors of the game. But whenever things don't go to his liking, he sure gets grumpy. From Brian Hill in Orlando to Del Harris with the Lakers, to Van Gundy now, if you're not on Shaq's side, he will make it known to get what he wants. I think the biggest presence in the league could still grow up a little bit.

* Ron Artest wants a trade and his tenure in Indiana is all but over. When the "brawl" broke out last season, I stood behind Ron Ron, at least to the point where I felt what transpired was not entirely his fault alone. But like his defensive prowess on the court, it is getting harder and harder to defend his actions. He would ideally like a trade to New York and maybe that would be best for the league. If Larry Brown could manage 'Sheed, who else would be better to turn Artest into the all-star we all know he can be.

* So much for the Suns being a one-hit wonder. Steve Nash has yet to slow down and they only sit a half game out of first, all of this without Amare Stoudemire.

* The Atlantic Division may be one of the least intriguing, following last year's trend. If the Nets don't turn things around, I would say Rod Thorn makes some moves with one of the big three, Richard Jefferson, Jason Kidd, or Vince Carter, exiting the Meadowlands.

* Meanwhile, it is good to see Chris Webber playing well and healthy this year. Throughout all of the turmoil in his career off the court, C-Webb has always been recognized as being one of the good guys in the league, always kind and receptive to fans. Though Philly may not make it far this year, at least he is showing that the downside of his career hasn't come just yet.

* Quentin Richardson played his first game on Monday Night, returning after an absence resulting from the shooting death of his older brother, Lee. It was the second brother Quentin had lost to gunshots, but he never looked happier to be back on the court. Hopefully, he can get through this rough patch and come back stronger than ever.

* Chicago currently stands in last place in their division, but with a plus .500 record. Could all five teams from the Central make the postseason?

* So much for missing Latrell Sprewell and Cassell. The T-Wolves have come together to shoot to first place in the Northwest Division. K.G. is having another MVP-type campaign, but don't overlook the solid work of role players like Troy Hudson, Wally Szczerbiak, Eddie Griffin, and Michael Olowokandi. They may not have the skill of Spree or Cassell, but they know how to contribute to a team ideology.

* Early candidates for Coach of the Year? How about Mike Fratello in Memphis? They may have lost Jason Williams, but currently are 13-8 after 21 games in the loaded Southwest Division. Other candidates are Mike Dunleavy for the Clippers and even Flip Saunders, who has made sure Detroit hasn't lost a step minus Larry Brown.

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