NBA Ticket to the Playoffs

AFP/Getty Images/File/Jed Jacobsohn

It did not take long for Baron Davis to bolt the Golden State Warriors. It seemed like just yesterday watching him carve up the 67 win Dallas Mavericks in 07.

Davis followed that playoff series with one of his most productive and healthiest years in the NBA. With 21.8 pounds 4.7 rebounds 7.6 assists and 2.3 steals, Davis put up numbers all around the board. He will be taking his act to the Los Angeles Clippers.

A bold move by Clippers owner Donald Sterling, but I think now you see why Brand opted out. Corey Maggette is likely gone, so with Brand resigning at a pay cut, the Clippers could afford a big splash at point guard with Baron Davis. Beno Udrih was actually a target of Mike Dunleavy's, but was snatched back up quickly by Sacramento.

The NBA Western Conference is stacked, but look for the Clippers to fight for one of the 6-8 playoff spots with this addition (assuming Brand / Davis stay healthy). The good part of their porous 2007-08 is that players like Chris Kaman and Al Thornton got a chance to log major minutes and ball opportunities, preparing them for this moment.

The LA Clippers also drafted Indiana Guard Eric Gordon to provide a scoring spark at the 2 spot, taking over for Cuttino Mobley in what has long been a problem for the Clippers. With the addition of Gordon and Davis, there may not be enough balls to go around Gordon / Thornton / Kaman may suffer in production.

Baron Davis' LA Clippers deal is 5 years 65 million dollars. Considering how close of a max-type player Davis is, this is a steal of a deal assuming he can stay healthy until he is 34 (a big if). At least for the short term, the LA Clippers are back on the board after having a few off years following their Western Conference Semifinals year.