The Spectrum

Issue date: 12/8/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian Richard Tran from California celebrates a half-court shot that won him a car at the LA Clippers game on Dec. 5. Clippers fans have had much more to cheer about this year.

When you think of basketball in the city of Los Angeles, what comes to mind? Most people probably think of Kobe Bryant right off the bat. Some might have had visions of Phil Jackson on the sidelines. Others might have had an image of Shaq, Kobe and Phil holding up a championship trophy. I bet no one was thinking about Corey Maggette, Elton Brand or Sam Cassell…

It's time to shift gears. As of right now, Los Angeles is no longer the Lakers' town. The Clippers, as strange as it seems, have taken over the reigns of the top team in Los Angeles. I know what you're thinking, and don't feel alone-I still don't believe it either. The bottom line is Los Angeles has what it takes to be one of the top teams in the NBA: a legitimate low-post threat, solid veteran help, good shooters and finally a coach who knows what he's doing.

Before we get to the current Clippers coach, Mike Dunleavy Sr., we have to look at the coaches the Clippers have had to endure since they were last a .500 team. Dennis Johnson, Alvin Gentry, Jim Todd, Chris Ford, Bill Fitch, and Bob Weiss were the past six coaches the Clippers had. No coach was able to lead them to a .500 record. When was the last time a coach was able to succeed with the Clippers? It was the 1992-1993 season and the Clippers finished 41-41, an even .500 under, guess who, Larry Brown.

Now it's 2005-2006. Mike Dunleavy Sr. has led the Clippers to an amazing start and they show no signs of slowing down. They have a near-perfect home record, a perfect division record and a perfect conference record. They have been holding opponents to an average of fewer than 95 points per game while scoring an average of 100 points per game. They have already beaten teams like the much-improved Warriors, the red-hot Cavaliers and their brothers the Lakers. Why all of a sudden are the Clippers a contender?

If there has been one solid consistent player that the Clippers have had for the past couple of years, it's been Elton Brand. Right now, Brand is putting up MVP numbers. He is scoring 24 points while also pulling down 10.5 boards a night in addition to blocking 2.5 shots. All this is impressive considering he's also only turning the ball over twice a game and averages just under three fouls per game. His dynamic performance-his solid defense, unstoppable post play and rebounding ability-is the number one reason for the Clippers success this season.

Continued...

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