NBA TV Preview

May 1, 2006 was the most festive night of the Clippers’ existence in California. Staples Center was rocking as L.A. finished off the Nuggets to register the franchise’s first playoff series win since 1976, when they were the Buffalo Braves. The Clips lost an exciting seven-game Conference Semifinal to Phoenix, but the ’05-06 season was an unqualified success nonetheless. All of the pieces are in place to keep the good times rolling.

Elton Brand had been a reliable 20-10 man for the first six seasons of his career, but in 2005-06 he took a step into the league’s elite. Brand showed up for last season slimmer and quicker, with his midrange jumper automatic. He scored a career-high 24.7 points per game, and ranked in the top ten in rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage en route to his first All-NBA selection (2nd team) and second All-Star appearance. Brand should continue to anchor the Clippers’ attack with his consistent production.

L.A. will once again surround Brand with a varied array of weapons. The point guard role will again be split between the savvy veteran Sam Cassell, whose leadership and clutch play were integral to the Clips’ improvement, and the precocious 6-7 youngster Shaun Livingston, who seems to have unlimited potential and uncommon court vision at age 21.

There’s plenty of firepower on the wings with playoff stud Tim Thomas (signed as a free agent to replace Vladimir Radmanovic, who moved across the hall to the Lakers) joining Cuttino Mobley and Corey Maggette as threats to provide instant offense. Quinton Ross returns as the team’s designated perimeter stopper.

Skilled and nimble inside, Chris Kaman is back to man the middle after averaging nearly a double-double in his third season. Veteran free-agent signee Aaron Williams adds depth to the frontline.

For Brand, who had never been to the Playoffs before last season, and long-suffering Clippers fans, things are finally looking up. As Elton recently told ESPN.com, “We’ve had a good offseason, and I really like our acquisitions. Tim (Thomas) lit the Lakers up in their series and lit us up in our series, so he’s going to help with his versatility and his ability to hit the threes. And Aaron Williams is a solid veteran who knows the game and can back up the center position. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
-- Mark Haubner

2006-07 Clippers Season Tickets

Cassell

Sam Cassell’s role in the Clippers’ improvement was even more vital than his averages of 17.2 points and 6.3 assists per game would indicate. Cassell brought confidence and organization at crunch time – if he wasn’t hitting the big shots himself, he was usually putting the ball in the hands of the right man to do so.

Can Sam, who averaged 34 minutes per game in ’05-06, still carry the load at age 37? Will he be a disruptive force should his minutes decrease if young phenom Shaun Livingston becomes ready for a larger role? Will he play with the same motivation as he did in a contract year last season?

With its talent, L.A. seems certain to return to the Playoffs, but how far it advances could hinge on these questions.
-- Mark Haubner

X&O STRENGTH

Dunleavy

The team turned around when Mike put the ball in Sammy’s hands and let Sammy express himself. Cassell is the whole key as far as getting things done, setting the tone, feeding the ball to Elton and Mobley.

X&O WEAKNESS
Tim Thomas is a question mark because you don't know if he will be the player that the Suns had last season or the player that did not match expectations for much of his career. He adds offense at the 3 and the 4 but might have trouble defensively.

HEAD COACH PHILOSOPHY
They’re talented and deep and Dunleavy uses his players well. He runs good sets. And he gets them to play good enough D.
-- Don Casey (courtesy of the National Basketball Coaches Association)

You’re going to have to shut down Elton and you’re going to have to deal with Sam.
Everybody wants to say that they’re not sure if Sam is going to be able to bring it and be ready to roll, but time in and time out is there for clutch game shots and getting through the playoffs.
In order to beat them you’re going to have to basically run them and try get into their bench.
They’ll be as good just as good as most teams out there this year.
-- Western Conference Scout

Chris Kaman: Kaman emerged as a solid center option last season, and at the age of 24 he will only get better.

Corey Maggette: While Maggette came back last season and showed he could still ball, there has to be some worry about a player turning 27 in November who has missed 66 games in the past two seasons.

More fantasy news

The Clippers are one of the rare teams in a position to be an extremely good team right now while simultaneously setting up nicely for the future. Realistically, the Clippers are truly one step away from doing severe damage in the league, but they showed last year to be a tough matchup for any team. While the strategy of minimal roster change following a successful season has backfired on many a team, the Clippers’ youth at key positions should cover up any decline in its veterans, and as a result the team should replicate last year’s success, if not necessarily build on it. Fantasy-wise, very few roles have changed and playing time expectations should be mostly the same for each player.
-- Adam Madison
Clippers Fantasy Preview

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