2007-2008 NBA Season Preview: Los Angeles Clippers

The promise of the Los Angeles Clippers from 2006's playoff adventures didn't follow suit in the following 2007 season.

Elton Brand, the team's lone legitimate All-Star, was run down from participation with the USA Olympic basketball squad, losing momentum that was built from a strong 2005-2006 season. Shaun Livingston, the team's hope as the next Magic Johnson, suffered a catastrophic knee injury that has many in the NBA questioning his ability to ever play again. And Sam Cassell, the fearless, fire-filled point guard, is another year older after just a previous season where his 38 years showed somewhat miserably.

Not to mention the ever-disappointing Tim Thomas, whose career is largely known for his high salary and All-Star ability, but also his minimum output on the court. Center Chris Kaman was extended for $10 million per year for six more years after said 2006 season, but then proceeded to play as if he deserved a fraction of the amount.

To make matters worse, Brand heads into the 2007-08 season recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, which some athletes have had their careers stop because of.

For the Clippers to regain ground and begin (again) to compete for the Western Conference playoffs, there are a list of objectives:

First, Brand must come back full recovered from his foot injury. He is the reason the Clippers made a resurgence in the past year in the first place.

Second, Cassell must regain his spot as the starting point guard, but his minutes must be limited. One of the problems for him was that the team seemingly handed the young Livingston Cassell's starting position without mutual agreement. This incident chaffed against Cassell much of the season, especially since the Clippers were worlds better when Cassell started and played much of the minutes at the guard positions.

Third, small forward Corey Maggette must start and play significant minutes to provide solid scoring. The rift between coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Maggette made getting minutes hard to come by for Maggette, but the team needs him to play more than anything.

Next, starting shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and sometimes-starting small forward Quinton Ross must continue to be defensively solid on the perimeter. This applies more to Cat Mobley because of his size (6'4") and age (31), but Ross is outstanding both on the perimeter and in the paint; the key is for Dunleavy to keep Ross' minutes high for him to make a positive impact.

The last order of business is for Kaman and Thomas to play up to their potential. For Kaman, who struggles with ADD, it's much more understandable, but it's a matter of him not wanting to let his disorder keep him mediocre (he was, in fact, a top-10 draft choice in 2003 with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony). For Thomas, he must not be content with being a physical specimen whose skill can allow him to merely play on the outside; his strengths are definitely built in his shooting, but at 6'10" and 240 lbs., exclusively draining three-pointers as the backup two-guard doesn't always fix the problems that the Clippers need.

If all or most of these variables are met, the Clippers are winners. If not, the NBA Draft Lottery awaits Los Angeles in May 2008.