6 Los Angeles Clippers

As a Suns forward last season, Tim Thomas helped eliminate both the Lakers and the Clippers from the playoffs. Yet five months later he was donning a blue jersey with los angeles etched on it and smiling for a couple of flashing cameras on a practice court in nearby El Segundo. "I was Public Enemy Number 1 around here during the playoffs," says the 6'10" Thomas, who averaged 15.1 points and 7.0 rebounds against the Staples Center tenants during the postseason before signing a four-year, $24 million deal with the Clippers. "But now I want to [play just as well] for the home team. I love L.A."

The acquisition of Thomas was yet another indication of the Clippers' changed culture. They used to be quick to show players the door when their contracts expired and turn instead to minimum-salary players or retreads. But now they are re-signing more of their own free agents and replacing the ones who depart with comparable--if not better--talent. "If I went into a coma five years ago, and I woke up and saw this Clippers team, I would say something's f------ wrong," says point guard Sam Cassell, who re-upped with the team in July after leading L.A. to its first playoff series win in 30 years. "Things have changed around here."

One thing the Clippers hope won't change is the hot hand of Thomas, 29, who led Phoenix with 48 three-pointers during the playoffs, celebrating many of them by waving his right palm in front of his face as a nod to his rapper pals in G-Unit. Says his new teammate Corey Maggette, "I want to see a lot of that this year."

Projected Starting Lineup with 2005--06 statistics

Record: 47--35 (5th in West)

Points scored: 97.2 (17th in NBA)

Points allowed: 95.6 (11th)

Coach: Mike Dunleavy

(fourth season with the Clippers)

Chris Kaman
POS. C
PPG 11.9
RPG 9.6
APG 1.0
BPG 1.38
SPG 0.58
FG% 52.3
FT% 77.0