Power Rankings
Los Angeles' other team had overcome being one of the NBA's biggest annual disappointments. Prior to the season, the Clippers were a popular choice to contend for the Western Conference title. I had them reaching the conference finals.
Elton Brand and Chris Kaman were not themselves early and the team might have been hurt by overconfidence, losing 13 of its next 17 games after a 6-2 start.
This lack of success -- coupled with the Lakers' hot start -- restored the natural order of things in L.A., with the "same ol' Clippers" theme prevailing.
Also, Cassell's injuries were an issue for the T-Wolves, who shipped him out because they thought he was done. With L.A., he has been effective and avoided long stints on the injured list, but he still plays in constant pain, a major issue since heir-apparent Shaun Livingston hasn't cut it as the No. 1 guy.
The Clippers have managed to climb back over .500 by winning 13 of their last 20, and are currently 1-1 on their seven-game, 12-day East Coast trip that might ultimately determine the franchise's fortunes.
"As long as this basketball team keeps doing the right things, we can definitely have a good trip," Cassell told the Los Angeles Times. "You're not going to win every game on a trip; it doesn't work that way in this league.
"But with the things we've been doing, with the way we've played lately, there's no reason we can't have a good trip. We just have to remember that."
After their current road test, the Clippers have seven of eight games at home. Teams like Denver two seasons ago and Miami and Chicago last year caught fire late and surged into the playoffs. More than any other team, the Clippers seem best equipped to put forth that type of run, but they have to get a move on things.
