Clippers have a lot to prove
Brand says team can't rest on 2005-06 success
By Joe Stevens Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - The Clippers adopted an "us against the world" attitude last season, and it paid dividends.
The team finished with a 47-35 record and came within a game of the NBA Western Conference finals.
So on the eve of the team's season opener Wednesday in Phoenix, what are the prospects of continued improvement?
"We have to keep that chip on our shoulder that we started last season with," Elton Brand said. "We can't be complacent. Sports Illustrated picked us last in the Pacific and out of the playoffs (last season). We don't have as many detractors now, so it's hard to use that as fuel.
"But we still have to have that attitude that we have a lot to prove."
A season after becoming a contender in the Western Conference, the Clippers return with a remarkably similar roster. They are hoping their experience as a group helps them improve. They are hoping Brand remains a beast, Sam Cassell keeps making big shots, and everyone stays healthy.
More than anything, though, they're simply hoping to improve upon last season.
"Before last season started, I always said we could make the playoffs," Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor said. "Now, the way we ended the season, the
way we played, the confidence with the role players, the confidence with Mike (Dunleavy) playing them ... it's only going to be par for the course this year."
Baylor pointed out that last season's team had only six returning players. This year's team has 11. Tim Thomas is the only new player projected to play big minutes.
The hope is that the veterans - Brand, Cassell and Cuttino Mobley - put in similar seasons to last year. Team officials also hope the younger players - Shaun Livingston and Chris Kaman, in particular - continue to develop.
Another key factor could be Corey Maggette, who missed 50 games last season because of injuries but averaged a team-high 22.2 points the previous season.
The Clippers' depth also looks better than it's ever been. While Dunleavy says he will not use a set lineup, reserves Thomas, Livingston and Quinton Ross should provide a solid crew to spell the top five.
While the personnel appears to be in place, Dunleavy says a defensive mindset is the key.
"We have to show we can defend at the level we defended at last year," Dunleavy said. "Teams have gotten better in the West. We have to show that our guys don't come back and think it's automatic that we're a playoff team."
Dunleavy frequently preaches the importance of defense. Last season the Clippers followed his advice, and the defensive statistics were staggering.
The Clippers led the league in two key defensive categories - rebounding and blocks. They were fourth in defensive field-goal percentage. Although Dunleavy is cautious about this season, those statistics and the playoff run have given him optimism.
"I'm not saying we're favorites in any way, but there's not a team in this league that I don't think we're capable of beating," he said. "And there are some matchups that are better than others, so when you get to the playoffs, it's about being lucky and good as far as getting the right path of teams that match up well with you."
Dunleavy says he won't limit his team's goals, and an NBA championship is the goal. After winning 47 games last season, he says he hopes his team wins 50 this season.
No matter what the Clippers do, they probably will never be able to compete with the Lakers' history. But they have had a better record than the Lakers the past two seasons, and they are selling more season tickets and presumably attracting more permanent fans.
Cassell, though, is realistic about collecting fans and is realistic about what can happen.
"L.A.'s a big city, big enough for two teams," Cassell said.
"You're gonna have some people who are Laker fans, and some who are our fans. And we want half. But we've got to earn half of it. Having one great season isn't going to get you that. We have our work cut out for us."
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