Hollinger's Team Forecast: Los Angeles Clippers

Otherwise, it was another forgettable year for a franchise that produces one of those about every 12 months or so. The Clips lost Brand to a torn Achilles before the season, and although early estimates had him returning in February, he didn't make it back until the final eight games. With point guard Shaun Livingston already missing the season after wrecking his knee the previous spring, and management once again unwilling to spend enough money to build a decent bench, the Clippers were shorthanded from the get-go. L.A. might have been able to hold down the fort if their other players hadn't been dropping like flies too. Starting center Chris Kaman missed 24 games, top scorer Corey Maggette missed 12, key reserve Tim Thomas 19 and point guard Sam Cassell 17 before being bought out at midseason. As a result, the Clippers on... [read full story]