Submitted by Miles (Los Angeles), Nov 9, 2007 15:49

This Clips team reminds me of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They won the Super Bowl the season before last (when the Clippers were within 1 win of advancing to the Western Conference Finals), and expected to achieve similar results last year with a less than "hungry" effort. Both teams finished right around the .500 mark last season, but still have nearly identical rosters to their '05-'06 squads. The Clips and Steelers were stacked with talent a year ago, and may have spread themselves too thin. With key injuries lowering expectations, both teams have been forced into playing the underdog role, which consequently equals playing tenacious team ball. Both squads are now relying on very capable veterans to win, while emerging stars like Roethlisberger, Al Thornton, and Chris Kaman become increasingly comfortable in their skin. Now the pressure is on the coach Dunleavy; can he continue to let his young stars and role players execute once his franchise players return? Watch out for both these teams as we swing into '08!

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