THE REAL COLUMBUS OF THE CLIPPER SHIP

This isn't the first rodeo.   It just seems like it.  Not since 1976, when they were the Buffalo Braves, have the Clippers even won a playoff series.  Let's face it.  We're talking about the worst team collectively over the last thirty years in the entire NBA.  So, why will the worst team in the NBA for many years go on to suddenly win an NBA championship this year?

First of all, let me just say, I'm not just willing to go out on a very skinny high-perched limb in predicting that the Clippers will win it all, I'm willing to bet the farm on it (I don't have much of a farm, unless you consider the one with ants in it, so this won't be so hard to #### if I have to eat my words later).

So, why the Clippers will not only get to the NBA Finals but win the whole dang thing...

On top of Elton Brand's phenomenal play, two legit three point sharpshooters in Mobley and Rad, a center in Kaman so adorable you just wanna grab him in the pearls like Reggie (or maybe not), a player who's just begun to play like he's Magic Bird in Livingston, a guy in Maggette who drives and gets to the line better than anyone in the league, the best and craziest fans (some who wear blue and red suits), on top of all that, it's...

Sam Cassell -- One need only look at this year's Timberwolves to see how obvious it is that Sammy means a lot to his teams making the playoffs.  Can't find the answer there, look back to when he played for the Bucks.  Sam Cassell was the key to putting Milwaukee in the playoff mix after a drought of many years.  Before that, the Nets needed Sam to get them back to the playoffs.  Before that, Sam changed "choke city" to "clutch city" when he helped put the Rockets in the playoffs and win the whole dang thing.  Twice.

He's like the magical little ugly good luck charm alien that every team needs to win. 

It's really no secret.  The Clippers recognize the importance of Sam.  Most teams do.  Most everyone does.  Bill Simmons of Page 2 certainly does.

So, more as to why Sam's the key to the Clippers and, more specifically, why they will win the finals:

MY BOOKEND THEORY: The other thing is that I believe as we're nearing the end of Sam's career, he needs to bookend what he helped to do in Houston.  Start a career with a championship, end a career with a championship.  It can happen and will.  It's the way every hollywood movie begins and ends. 

MY ACTUAL PROPHECY THEORY:  Sam told me so himself a long time ago. 

The season after Houston won the Finals the first time, I had the pleasure of meeting Sam following a Cavs-Rockets game in a Houston's Bennigans next to the Summit where my best friend happened to be a bartender.  Sam was such a pleasant guy that after the initial shock of actually talking to Sam wore off, I felt like I could've been talking to anyone, anyone that is with a big ego for such a small size relative to other basketball players.  I can't remember what Sam said to me. All I remember was Kenny Smith came over and interrupted us and brought Sam over to a booth where three women sat.  No joke. 

But I imagine that if we would've continued talking I would've told him my two favorite teams were the Rockets for the obvious reasons of being from that area and the Clippers because they were the first basketball team I played for at age 10 in the Little Dribblers league.  The Clippers went to the finals and lost but we did not have Sam Cassell.  And then Sam would've told me yeah that's right.   When the Clippers get Sam Cassell they'll win the Finals. 

Okay, it's sort of a semi-actual prophecy theory, but I really did meet Sam and he likes the Bennigan's Monte Cristo.

So, we shall see who wins the finals this year.  It looks to be an all LA series and an all Texas series which is the best of both worlds for me since I live in LA and am from Texas.

What about the East?  Who cares.  No really, I like the Pistons and think they only stand in their own way.

Pistons vs. Clippers  -- It could happen.

Clippers in 6 -- C'mon, it could happen.

Sam hitting that clutch three-pointer in the final minutes.  It has happened...and will happen again...or I'm prepared to eat big crow.