In my November 5th article on NBA futures, I noted that the LA Clippers might possibly be the most improved team in the league. I made the Clippers OVER 38 wins my top future recommendation and two weeks into the NBA season they've done little to disappoint. After last night's 109-85 demolition of Milwaukee, the 6-2 Clippers are off to the best start in franchise history and tied with World Champion San Antonio for the best record in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

The Clippers have done it with defense, solid rebounding, and most importantly by adding veterans Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley to a previously suspect backcourt.

Cassell, a 13-year veteran out of Florida State, is a solid floor general at the point and has seemingly been rejuvenated playing with quality young talent. Cassell (in his contact year with not many left) is averaging 15.5 ppg, 8.1 apg (4th in NBA), and has converted 27 of 28 free attempts. The 36 year-old PG is giving Mike Dunleavy a quality 34 mpg after being limited to 59 games and 25 mpg last year at Minnesota.

After not being able to resign Bobby Simmons, the Clippers took a chance on signing career malcontent and supposed locker-room cancer Cuttino Mobley to huge 42 million five-year deal. Mobley has been a perfect fit avgg 16.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 3.6 apg and along with Cassell provides the Clips with a perimeter threat they haven't had in years.

Elton Brand is the undoubtedly the most underrated player in NBA. Buried on some very bad Bull and Clipper teams, the seven-year man out of Duke has avgd 19.6/10.3 for his career and 23.9/9.6 this year. He's second in the NBA in offensive rebounds with 28 and is always top five in the league in double-doubles.

Corey Maggette has become a star. After sitting out the Clippers first four games with a hamstring injury, Maggette has selflessly come off the pine to give LA 19.5/5.0 pg in just 27 mpg worth of work. Maggette is a force on the glass and works hard on the defensive end. always providing energy.

The Clipper role players sound like a roster out of the witness protection program but have all made contributions to a team that appears to have excellent chemistry.

Quinton Ross (7.5 ppg) is a second-year free agent out of SMU that has started all eight games at SF before usually giving way to Maggette. The jury is still out as to whether or not Chris Kamen will go down as another Elgin Baylor draft bust. The 7' big man from Central Michigan has not exhibited the offensive skills he used to terrorize the Mac a few years ago but he is a big body in the paint that is tough on the defensive boards taking pressure of Brand and allowing Maggette to do other things. Unheralded James Singleton (4th in off reb per 48 min, 2nd in NBA in steals per turnover) is bringing a solid 6.0/6.6 to the table every night and ex-Maryland Terp Chris Wilcox has been productive in his limited minutes. Former Dukie Daniel Ewing (6.3 ppg in 20 mpg) is shooting 45% from the field and has Blue Devil all-around game.

Clippers have two days off before facing division opponents Lakers on Friday and the Golden State on Sunday. After facing Toronto at home, Clippers have rugged 10-game stretch where they are at Denver, Indiana, at Minnesota, home and home vs. Cavs, Miami/NY/Phoenix/Detroit at home before traveling to San Antonio. It won't be much longer before we know if the LA Clippers are a contender or a pretender.

Dennis Macklin is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/Dennis_Macklin.htm