NBA 2009 Season Prediction: The Los Angeles Clippers

This is my second installment in the Pacific Division chapter of my NBA 2009 Season Prediction Series. Up now at the free throw line, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Much like their in-state and division rivals the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers franchise has been marked by relocation, inconsistency, and ill-fated seasons. Every Clipper fan wonders what would have happened if Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston had been healthy all season.

Clipper fans also need to wake up to reality. The core of their team has departed. Brand, Maggette, and Livingston are no longer on the team. That being said, it comes time to analyze the team's current roster and moves in the so-called "Rebuilding Offseason."

Losing your best two players to free agency and your brightest rising star to injury can be quite the letdown. But it seems as though the Clippers' front office has done away with most of that.

The Clippers have signed veteran PG Baron Davis to a five-year deal. When you add Davis to the two remaining starters from the Clippers' conference semifinal finish in 2005-06, Cuttino Mobley and Chris Kaman, your nerves can be calmed slightly.

Also add probably the best defensive big man in the NBA, Marcus Camby, to your starting lineup, and you've got something cookin'.

This Clippers' roster is particularly PG heavy. Davis, Gordon, Hart, and Williams will all be competing for playing time this season. It looks as if the Clippers have got their bet on Eric Gordon, as evidenced by Jason Williams' one-year contract.

This roster does have a great mix of young talent, veteran leadership, knowledge, experience, and some decent coaching. But this is the first year this team will play together, so kinks and bugs will need to be worked out.

Here is my projected starting lineup for the Los Angeles Clippers:

PG: Baron Davis

The key with Davis is for him to stay healthy. He has been injury prone in recent years.

If Davis can stay healthy all season, like he did with the Warriors during their improbable conference semifinals run in 2006-07, then the Clippers could be looking at being eighth seed contenders. All playoff and championship teams start with great point guards.

SG: Cuttino Mobley

As one of the two remaining starters from the 05-06 season, Mobley provides playoff experience and knowledge to a relatively young squad.

SF: Ricky Davis

Although he has character issues, he will be the starter until the Clippers can find someone better. He should not be in their long-term plans.

PF: Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas knows how to play against division rival Phoenix. He was on the team that eliminated the Clippers in the 05-06 conference semifinals in seven games. He provides playoff experience and knowledge to the team.

C: Marcus Camby

Arguably the best defensive player in the NBA. Move over, Chris Kaman.

Second Team:

PG: Jason Hart/Eric Gordon/Jason Williams

Williams is the only true point guard on this team. A pass first, pass second, shoot last kind of player. All three could possibly share playing time at the position on the second team, though.

SG: Jason Hart/Eric Gordon/Mike Taylor

All three have the two guard in them. And all can compete for playing time.

SF: Mike Taylor

Completely undersized, but that's the fact for this team. Once the starters are out, then you suddenly have a much much shorter team.

PF: Al Thornton

Coming off of an impressive battle with Kevin Durant for ROY honors. Look for him to have a great season coming off of the bench.

C: Chris Kaman

We will see how he adjusts to being a bench player. My bet is that he won't enjoy it at all, and start to become a bad apple.

Prediction:

This team is extremely P/SG and PF heavy. Look for more front office moves to bring in another SF. Like I said before, once the starting lineup is on the bench, this team becomes very, very small. That won't fare too well in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

If another front office move is made, and Baron Davis can stay healthy all year, we are looking at an eighth seed contender. If not, then they are out of the picture.

Even if they do not make the playoffs this season, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. The Clippers will continue to get better, and in a couple of seasons, they should be automatic contenders for the bottom half of the Western Conference Playoff Seeds.