Top > Sport > 2006 > January > 2006-01-30

LA Respond to Challenge

This year, it seemed that the Clippers have finally got over the proverbial hump. Then came Corey Maggette?s injury which caused another setback. However, this year?s Clipper team has responded admiralty to the challenge. With the absence of Maggette, LA still managed to go 8-4 so far in January. Everybody has stepped up to make up for Maggette?s scoring with sure-fire All-Star and League MVP candidate Elton Brand leading the charge.

To say Brand is having a good year, would be an understatement. Brand is currently averaging 24.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. Yet, Brand trailed every one of them in All-Star balloting. Luckily, the coaches are expected to atone for the fan?s oversight and elect Brand to the All-Star team, but the question is, when will the fans stop taking ?Mr. Consistency? for granted.

Not only is a huge reason for the Clippers success this year, you could easily argue that he?s one of the Most Valuable Players in the NBA. Let?s not forget Sam Cassell, either. His shooting touch was off in December (averaging 15.5 points, on only 40.6% shooting), but he obviously regained it in January (averaging 21.2 points on 49.6% shooting). Don?t think for a second that Cassell isn?t a huge part of the success of this year?s Clipper team.