The Clippers folks, the other team in LA, have all the tools this season to make some serious NBA noise. For the first time in decades, the Clippers front office has filled most of the teams holes and has placed a competitive team on the floor that can compete every night. This Clippers team has size, speed, depth, youth, and star power. Not to forget a superior clutch performer in Paul, this team has all the pieces to be an NBA conference finalist.

(Las Vegas) – It was just a few short months ago when I was traveling from my gorgeous Summerlin, Las Vegas home to Eastern Las Vegas to watch the USA olympic team practice, scrimmage, and prepare themselves for what would eventually be a gold medal in London. 25% of the team, was riddled with members of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had just lost to the Miami Heat weeks before in the NBA Finals.

The Memphis Grizzlies are dangerously close to showing us all that their 2010 run deep into the Western Conference semi finals, was nothing but a fluke. They are close to weaning themselves from the national spotlight, back into the dark realms of NBA obscurity and obsolescence. After upsetting the leagues best regular season record holding San Antonio Spurs, then taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to 7 games 2 seasons ago, this Grizzlies team seamed to be quickly headed in the right direction. However with a disappointing first round exit just a season ago, and the loss of key player O.J. Mayo, the jury is again out on this squad and their ability to compete on the highest platforms.