Take a losing organization like the Los Angeles Clippers and add an ornery, difficult player like Sam Cassell (not to mention a shot-happy Cuttino Mobley) and it would seem to make for a combustible combination. Instead, Cassell has led the Clippers to a 28-17 record, which is the first time in franchise history that the “other” LA team has been 11 games over .500.
Cassell has been extremely hot of late, averaging 22.2 points and 7.4 assists, while shooting at a scorching .553 clip. Moreover, the guy is clutch. In yesterday’s victory against the Raptors, he scored 14 of his 27 points in the final four and a half minutes of regulation and hit a three pointer with just 5.5 seconds remaining to force overtime.
But the truth is, the Clippers have been on the rise since the arrival of Elton Brand. This season, the power forward has been phenomenal, averaging 25.1 points, 10.3 boards and 2.6 blocks per game, while shooting a stellar .526 from the field.
Even more surprising is how the Clippers have made this run without star shooting guard Corey Maggette, who has been out of the lineup since December 6th with a foot injury. This injury might be a blessing in disguise as it kept a Maggette/Ron Artest swap from happening – which may have worked for a while in the short term, but would have been a doomed scenario in the long run.
