Hip to be Clip
No Elton Brand. No problem. After a 104-89 victory over Indiana, the Clippers are 4-0.
Many thought that the Clippers would struggle this season without Brand. I was one of those people. But Mike Dunleavy's team seems to be getting big contributions from different players each night. Tonight, it was Sam Cassell dropping in 35 points and Chris Kaman grabbing 22 rebounds and adding 15 points of his own. Last night, Cuttino Mobley scored 33 points in the team's win over Chicago. Tim Thomas scored 20 points in each of the Clippers' first two wins against Golden State and Seattle. Al Thornton is already being discussed as a Rookie-of-the-Year candidate. And I haven't even mentioned the team's best player, Corey Maggette, who has put up solid numbers in every game this season.
Obviously it's early, but the Clippers new up-tempo offense is clearly working. If they keep utilizing their depth, then the Clippers could be one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season.