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2008 L.A. Clippers Betting

The 2008 version of the LA Clippers can change the names on the back of their uniforms all they want – this is clearly a franchise that is clueless when it comes to building a team for sustained success.

2008-09 Basketball Wagering – Los Angeles Clippers Preview

The Los Angeles Clippers (23-59 SU, 33-49 ATS, 35-47 O/U), can change the names on the back of their uniforms all they want – this is clearly a franchise that is clueless when it comes to building a team for sustained success.

The Clippers added veteran point guard Baron Davis and defensive-minded forward/center Marcus Camby in a trade with the Denver Nuggets, but lost their best players in power forward Elton Brand, who bolted for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now the team will enter the 2008-09 season using smoke and mirrors to try and compete against the elite teams in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles may have found a real gem in small forward Al Thornton, the team’s first round draft pick in 2007 and drafted high-scoring shooting guard Eric Gordon out of Indiana. Gordon, will backup veteran shooting guard Cuttino Mobley at least until he’s ready to start alongside Davis.

The Clippers also drafted athletic 7-foot center DeAndre Jordan out of Texas A&M and Jordan will sit behind starter Chris Kaman and backup Brian Skinner at least until he learns how to make a lay-up on a consistent basis.

The addition of Camby to replace Brand was a wise move if they were getting a player that really wanted to play for the Clippers. Camby, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, s not a happy camper and his play will likely reflect that fact at some point.

Veteran Jason Hart will backup up Davis at the point with the recent retirement of point guard Jason Williams, but Hart should be ready to play some major minutes at some point as the injury-prone Davis is almost guaranteed to sit out at some point after playing in all 82 regular-season games last season for the first time since his first three seasons in the league.

Veteran head case Ricky Davis will back up Thornton at the small forward spot and offers instant scoring ability, despite his numerous drawbacks.

The bottom line for the Clippers is the fact that they are young, not too talented and playing in the toughest conference in the league against at least eight teams that won at least 50 games last season.

Los Angeles averaged just 93.8 points per game last season to rank 29th in the league while also ranking 29th in field goal shooting percentage. The Clippers also allowed 101.1 points per contest, (18th) and let opponents shoot a blistering 46.7percent against them from field, (24th).

The Clippers are +2500 to win the Western Conference championship and +660 to win the NBA Championship in the BetUS Sportsbook.

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"