Many of you probably didn't know this, but I will share with you the curse of the Clippers. They started in Buffalo New York in 1970 as an expansion team, along with the Portland Trailblazers and the Cleveland Cavaliers that same year. Now get this, David Stern the current NBA Commissioner was the lawyer that helped approve the deal to move the Clippers to California (perhaps they should blame him for all their misfortunes).

I spent 23 years in California, 14 in San Diego and 9 in Los Angeles, so trust me, when it comes to the Clippers, Mean Gene knows what he's talking about, I don't know if I followed them or they followed me, but I feel the pain of Clipper fans. My respect goes out to them as being the first NBA team to allow me to cover them. I spent 2 training camps with them in the deserts of Palm Springs Ca, during that time, I got to meet and understand the mind of Elgin Baylor (GM) and developed a good friendship with some of the players back then, Lamar Odom, Sean Rooks, Darius Miles and Earl Boykins (who was the only NBA player that actually looked up to me). 

In 2003, the Clippers were fortunate to get Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, two outstanding players who would if nothing else sell tickets for the Clippers. 

Elton Brand's tenure in LA has ended and not on a good note. I was stunned when I found out he opted out of his contract and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. According to the Clippers, Brand gave his word that if the Clippers signed Baron Davis from Golden State, he would return and try to compete for the Western Conference championship. The Clippers signed Baron Davis, but Brand changed his mind and bolted to Philly. 

If you ask Mean Gene, Brand should have never left the Chicago Bulls, a team that could have competed for a championship had he stayed there. Brand signed for over $80 million with Philly, that's alot of money for a player who has been injured of late and is lucky to play 40 games in a season.   

 I interviewed Elton Brand a few times and have always respected his politeness and straightforwardness in the locker room. The Clippers are blaming his agent David Falk (Michael Jordan's former agent) for his decision to move on. 

I blame Elton Brand for losing focus and allowing the "bling" bling" to take center stage over what could have been an exciting season with him and Baron Davis competing in the Western Conference of the NBA.