<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>If not for a corner three-pointer by the Phoenix Suns’ Raja Bell in the 2006 playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers would have been in the Western Conference finals. Since then disastrous injuries and an aging roster have left the Clippers with the fourth-worst record in the West two seasons after their near upset of Phoenix. The 2005-2006 season was magical by Clippers standards because of the major impact Sam Cassell had on the team. With the expected signing of Baron Davis and hopeful re-signing of Elton Brand, the Clippers hope for a similar one-year turnaround. AccuScore ran simulations of the Clippers against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings with the team that played most of the ’07-08 season: Dan Dickau and Brevin Knight getting major minutes at point guard, shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, forwards Al Thornton and Corey Maggette, and center Chris Kaman. We then put in the likely 2008-2009 starting lineup: Davis, Brand, Thornton, Kaman, and Mobley and rookie Eric Gordon sharing minutes at shooting guard. Corey Maggette was left off the team because he’s expected to sign elsewhere. Looking at the Clippers’ performance against the Lakers and Kings, we get a picture of how they will fare against the best in the West and against an average team from the conference.(Kings won 38 games in a super-competitive West).</div> Yahoo! Sports.
