Clippers baby.

[Clipps]

I think either the Clippers, Magic or Wizards will take the next step next season. But since I'm a Clipper fan, I picked the Clippers(I'm such a homer).

Not just because I'm a clipper fan, it's also because of things happening. It's been said almost every year frm just about every Clipper fan ever since their last playoff run against the Jazz.

97-98: "Clips made the playoffs last year, that's a start of a turnaround"

98-99: "I'm tellin you, this is their year.

99-00: "Rookie Lamar Odom, and Mo Taylor, Derek Anderson, Kandiman, this is definately their year"

00-01: "they drafted Miles and Q, and they tradd for Maggette,
Lamar Odom is more experienced."

01-02: "They brought Elton Brand, they have and excitng, young talent. I promice you"

02-03: "They traded Miles for Miller, With a roster with Brand, Maggette, Odom, Q, Miller, Kandiman, Pike,and Wilcox, this team can compete with the leagues elites. I guarantee the 5th playoff seed."

03-04(after losing half their players, expectations were not as high): "They got rid of team cancers, they refound chemistry(they have improved a lot since last year under Mike Dunleavy)"

Man, so many promices broken. It's hard to believe. Mainly because of boneheaded moves, especially trading Miles for Miller. On paper, that was a ripoff for the Cavs. But now, I think the organization is turning the corner, mainly because of the influence Mike Dunleavy had, who said that he won't coach the Clippers unless Elton Brand, and Corey Maggette get re-signed. And Elton Brand did not want to play for the Clips unless they signed Mike Dunleavy.

Mike Dunleavy wants to make the Clippers a succesful team, even if that means to point a 12 gage at Sterling's head. Mr. Cheapskate suprised the Pro sports world by actually signing some players long term. And to players that were most deserving. Corey Maggette is a very athletic player who is a hard working dukie and spends every summer improving. No one has ever thought he would ever turn into a star, but now, that he's averaging a solid 20 PPG and 6 RPG, he is well on his way to be a superstar type player. And Elton Brand is arguably the hardest working, most underrated player in the entire league today. I believe he's a harder worker than Kobe, KG, Duncan, Iverson and all those superstar type players. Brand is Mr. consistant, he is a class-act on and off the court, he has great sportsmanship, he knows basketball, he knows what he's doing but no one hardly ever recognises him for that, and i still believe Brand should've been an allstar and it's damn right insulting that he wasn't picked for the allstar reserves, especially since the game was in staples center, but i guess that's the luck a Clipper player gets .

So for once in Clipper history, they finally have a nucleus to build around, and I pray that Donald Starling re-signs Quentin Richardson and pursues a point guard stud rather it's a rookie like Jameer Nelson or Ray Felton or if it is a player like Jamaal Tensley, Carlos Arroyo, Steve Nash(i doubt that one), etc. And I believe these moves will happen because Mike Dunleavy won't let Sterling screw up the Clippers again.

So with that said, I seriously think the Clippers will make promicing moves to help the future. I can guarantee you all the Clips would draft Felton or Nelson, and re-sign. But one thing i also hope the Clippers do is sprinkle the team with some veterans(Brent Barry, Dale Davis, and Kenny Anderson in particular).

2003-2004: "Okay, I guarantee my account that the Clippers will be a great team. Copy and paste that, If Clippers arn't good, my account is in jeopardy"

[Clipps]

Other than that, I think the Cavs, Magic, and Wizards also have a great chance to turn the corner next season. LeBron, Z and Boozer are nearly leading the Cavs to the CBA(eastern conference) playoffs.Can't wait to see what their roster looks like when they draft a stud.

And after the Magic draft Emeka Okafor or Dwight Howard, and Pat Gerrity and hopefully Grant Hill come back from injuries, the Magic will be a playoff team again.

And the Wizards has a ton of talent. I'm not giving up on Kwame Brown yet, I still think he will become a great player. Remember Jermain O'Neal? He was a nobody. Now he's arguably the best player in the east. Wizards has some talent. A team with Kwame, Stackhouse, Arenas, hughes, Dixon, Jeffries, Haywood, etc. the Wiz looks like they can become the next beast of the east.

[bama4256]

I'm an Elton Brand fan so I wish the Clippers luck. They will be a force in 2004-2005.

[Clipps]

oops, my bad, this was supposed to be in the poll thread

[Marc]

Possibly the Magic if they get healthy and get a point guard, but they are lacking in too many areas right now. As for the Wiz, they also lack a true PG (Gilbert Arenas seems like a glorified scorer, not a PG) and will be in trouble in Brown never blossoms. The Clips have some of the pieces, but now they need a PG and they fit into the "I'll believe it when I see it" mold -- you can't ever bank anything on them.

[Clipps]

well, unlike the past 2 decades, the Clippers actually have 2 great, young, talented players to finally build around. And Mike Dunleavy has been a huge cornerstone for Sterling spending money. I bet that when Quentin Richardson get's re-signed, it'll be because of Dunleavy. Dunleavy will make Elgin and Donald build a winning team. if it was weren't for Dunleavye, Elton Brand would be in Miami right now and Corey maggette woulda been in Utah.

[Shawndo]

why do I get the feeling that the Clippers are just forever doomed to be LA's other illegitimate and cursed child?

[Clipps]

don't worry, that'll change(i thought I said that last season)

[TexasNative]

I'm sure you did say that last year. And the year before. and the year before that. And the ye......

[Clipps]

but i still have hope. That's why I think a loyal Clipper fan is one of the best in the busines.

But...The Clippers actually DO have a future now. They have Elton Brand and Corey Maggette signed for 6 years each. They are great, young, talented players to build around and I will guarantee that the Clips will win an NBA Championship before Brand and Maggette's contracts expires.

[watts63]

Next year will be the year guarnteed.

[lanclips]

Our players are hardworking, but they need to play smarter....they should use the shot clock wisely...no bad shot selection !!!

With a solid point guard we are going to rule. Sometimes it's frustrated to see the mistakes committed by Kaman, but he's still 100 times better than Olowocancer, and I have faith on him.

[Clipps]

Finally, we got Clipper fans here. I am not alone. Welcome, Watts63 and Lanclips.