LA Times SANTA BARBARA ? Forward Corey Maggette has big expectations for the Clippers, who have a new attitude because of guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley. Maggette, who practiced for the second time Monday, said the new starting backcourt should help lead the Clippers to a postseason berth. "These are guys that we really needed," said Maggette, whose mother underwent emergency heart surgery last week in Chicago, where she is recuperating. "We needed veteran leadership. Sam is a guy who can take the pressure off of everyone, and he gives everyone the opportunity to just concentrate on winning. "Bringing those guys in, and just the core that we have, I'm pretty excited about what's going to happen this year. Nothing less than the playoffs." Maggette, Cassell and Mobley should coexist well and thrive on offense, Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "It would be hard for me to believe that anyone couldn't get along with [Cassell and Mobley]," he said. "Their attitude has been so terrific. They've come in with one focus in mind: Winning." Source
