Saw this clip on Sportscenter last night and between the slick hair and the authoritative confidence, Ric Bucher sold us on Elton Brand staying a Clipper. And then one of the top power forwards in the NBA accepted a 5-year, $82 million offer from the 76ers. Did the Paper Clips get the shaft? Well if the LA Times is right, and David “Bird of Prey” Falk (fist-bump to Kornheiser) stopped returning Donald Sterling’s calls, yes. Then we can understand the venom in the comments section here. Quick question: How much more money will the ruthless Falk walk away with after Brand selected the 76ers deal over that of the Clippers?

A week ago, the Clippers were the big free-agent winners, and poised for 50 wins. Back the lottery, kids. (Small, perhaps insignificant note on Brand: For as good as a player he is, excluding last year’s 8-game season … one playoff appearance in eight years?) If the Other Los Angeles Team is able to pry Josh Smith away from the Hawks, perhaps we’ll listen to playoff predictions, but Baron Davis, Al Thornton and Chris Kaman won’t cut it in the West.

Now, to the orgasmic feeling Philadelphia: For the first time since Iverson led them to the Finals, the 76ers are a legit contender in the East. Andre Miller’s always been an underrated PG, Iggy is one of the most exciting players in the league, and the Brand-Dalembert pairing up front will be solid on the scoring-rebounding-shot blocking front. There are some issues at shooting guard, with Willie Green and Louis Williams seeming (to us) more like reserves than starters at this stage (though Williams, just 21, would be our choice as the starter).

Random look at the East, which is leaps and bounds better than last year:
1. Celtics – Nice draft, but they’re a year older, and a year less hungry.
2. Cavaliers – If they get Posey, they might be our pick to emerge from the East.
3. Pistons – Will definitely change if Dumars moves one of the starters.
4. 76ers – Is Louis Williams the key to this team’s shot at the Finals?
5. Raptors – Bosh and O’Neal are awesome, but injury concerns abound.
6. Magic – Haven’t really improved at all.
7. Heat – Just a hunch. Love the Beasley-Wade-Matrix trio.
8. Wizards – If JaVale McGee can contribute, they’ll go higher.
9. Hawks - If they keep Smith. Lose him, and we’ll take a chance on Charlotte, though we hated its draft. We’d even take the Bucks here over the Bulls.