2006-2007 Finish: 46-36

What went well

In the first time since the inception of the NLL, the Los Angeles Clippers made it to the playoffs. In fact, it is the first time they have had a winning record at all as the finished in second place in Pacific Division.

The credit can be given to two sources. First is GM Reinarhallik. A baller himself, the GM came to Los Angeles and gave the team a stable hand for the first time in its existance. Like the Pacers, a whole cadre of bad GMs have misused and manhandled this club. By actually caring for this team, the Clips responded with more wins than losses.

The play of superstar LeBron James also is a big factor in the Clippers' success. Probably one of the three best players in the league, James brings class to an organization historically known to easily give up it's talent. (How's this for one of the worst trades ever: Clippers trade Elton Brand, Lamar Odom, Quentin Richardson and Sean Rooks to the Hawks for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, David Anderson, Glenn Robinson and a 2nd-Rounder or the deal that sent Carmelo Anthony away for Kenyon Martin?).

The Clippers have realized success by maintaining the core of the roster from last season. None of the six free agents brought had much of an impact, but the return of Grant Hill (55 games played!) and the emergence of Chris Wilcox and Jarrett Jack helped this club with its improvement.

The Clippers will have a hole in its roster with Hill's probable departure, but with the nucleus of King James, Jack and Wilcox GM Reinarhallik has something to build around. Let's hope he sticks around to continue the Clippers' march towards respectability.

What didn't

The Clippers were good, but not good enough. They put up a good fight, but proved they weren't enough to take on the Grizzlies and exited the playoffs in the first round. Kenyon Martin has turned into a multi-million dollar mistake. Many of the free agents brought in to help King James bombed (Aaron McKie, Kelvin Cato, Greg Buckner). Finally, Kendrick Perkins just doesn't cut it as a starting center. Get that guy on the bench (where he would serve a purpose) and bring in a legit big man.

Star

- LeBron James, GF-

Not since Michael Jordan has the league seen talent so distilled. James continues to dominate and improve in his fourth season. Besides his amazing average of 34.3 points per game and an impressive 57% shooting, James was named Player of the Week three times and was elected to the All Star game for the third time in four years. This guy could be the best player in the game right now and it is almost guaranteed he will sign an extension with the Clippers this fall.

Goat

-Kenyon Martin, F –

What's worse? The fact this guy didn't play at all last season, still carries a major chip on his shoulder or that the Clippers traded freakin' Melo Anthony for this $13 million nightmare. Though he is expected to be ready for training camp next season, Martin has not played a full set of games in either of his two seasons in Los Angeles. The Clips sighed with the relief of Hill's burden this season. The coffers will be even lighter after this guy expires next year.

Looking to the future

The Clippers will be a team with a lot questions to answer in the fall. We're assuming that James will be back and Hill will not. Building around that LeBron, Jack, Wilcox core, the team will need to find a way to improve at small forward and center and obtain depth for the bench at the same time. Perkins, a restricted FA, would be great coming in as a reserve. Tyrus Thomas has showed some upside, but he is still really young and can't be counted on for much. Cato and Gary Payton have seen better days and their money could used better fostering prospects. Buckner, still under contract, has disappointed. Perhaps moving Martin's expiring contract to a team seeking to dump some money would be a good idea.

The Clippers didn't get any immediate help in the draft either. In Petteri Koponen they selected a guard with some great skills but he will probably stay in Europe for awhile. Reyshawn Terry, a UNC senior selected in the second round, Los Angeles gets an athletic small forward with very little college experience at all. The offseason will be a balancing act for GM Reinarhallik and he has to understand his needs and figure out a way to best address them without blowing all his cash on one player.

The column should resume on Monday.