2009-10 NBA preview: Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of those teams that always find a way to lose, rather than a way to win. They are one of the most hapless NBA team ever, and after winning just 19 games last season there may not be any reason to believe that the Clippers will ever get it right. Then again, with the addition of prize big man Blake Griffin maybe this season there is. After being in LA for 25 years, and having made the NBA post season just four times, maybe there is reason to believe in this team.

Beyond their huge score in the NBA draft lottery, this team was somehow able to trade perennial team killer, Zack Randolph, to the Memphis Grizzlies for useful backups Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith. Now this team has Griffin to add to 2007 first round pick Al Thornton, and a future star in Eric Gordon. This gives the Clippers a solid young nucleus to build around.

Of course they already had one expensive veteran in Baron Davis signed to this team, specifically to a five year 65 million dollar deal that he has so far failed to live up too. The so called Baron Davis era of this team got off to a poor start last season when Davis could not remain healthy, shot poorly, was unmotivated, and never displayed the leadership skills the team was looking for when the signed him to the deal.

The Clippers also have two veteran Centers who could very well average double-doubles and more that two blocks a game in Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman. The Clippers will rely on these three veteran players as their younger players learn how to play in the NBA. While all that should lead to some kind of success, these are still the Clippers and the hopelessness of the team’s history could set in at anytime.