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Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Cuttino Mobley might have to raise his hands to Yung Joc hit single “It’s Goin’ Down” because Mobley might be bumped down the Clippers depth chart going into the season.

As the Clippers marched through the NBA and all the way to the Western Conference Semifinals last season, Elton Brand, Sam Cassell and Chris Kaman received much of the press and attention. But, the addition of shooting guard Cuttino Mobley was still a major piece to the Clippers success. Raising the eyebrows of many, Mobley went against conventional reasoning and became the Clippers most lucrative free-agent signing in team history last season inking a five-year $41.8 million deal. The Clippers sought out Mobley to bring three-point shooting; Mobley shot 43.9% before joining the Clippers, third best in the league, but tumbled to a 33.9% in his first season in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, Mobley delivered in other ways. Mobley earned his money filling in for an injured Corey Maggette who sat out a majority of the season with an injured foot. While replacing Maggette, Mobley became another veteran presence with backcourt mate Sam Cassell to a young Clippers team which lacked veteran guidance. While Mobley was up-and-down with his shot throughout the season, Mobley was still a key contributor and experienced player who could hit the clutch shot in close games. The shooting guard made a name for himself in L.A. in a battle for bragging rights between the two clubs by having a season high 36 points in a January match up versus Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

But what will Mobley’s role be with the Clippers this season?

The Clippers quickly rebounded from the loss of sharp shooting forward Vladimir Radmanovic who jumped down the hall to the Los Angeles Lakers, by signing forward Tim Thomas who became the Lazarus of the NBA, rising from the ashes of being released by the Chicago Bulls to being a significant factor in eliminating both the Lakers and Clippers seasons in the playoffs to a 4-year $24 million dollar deal. Not only must Mobley deal with addition of the versatile Thomas who can hit the 3 and also run the floor, but Mobley must also look behind his shoulder for the future of the Clippers; Shaun Livingston. The 6-7 rail thin point guard enters his third season and if Livingston can avoid the various injuries which have plagued him through out his short career, Livingston’s roll and minutes with the Clippers will grow. While Livingston will mainly come off the pine and back up Cassell, the Clippers first round draft pick in the 2004 draft might find himself in the backcourt often with Cassell as Dunleavy might mix and match the young and the old to serve as a mismatch against various opponents. And then there is the return of swingman Corey Maggette. Maggette returns after an odd season in which the Clippers forward lost most of the year to a foot injury, was almost traded to the Indiana Pacers for Ron Artest, had to compete to regain his starting job with Mobley, midseason addition Vladimir Radmanovic, and defensive specialist Quinton Ross, along with being replaced by Sam Cassell as the second most popular Clipper. The former Duke Blue Devil goes into training camp at full strength and looking to regain his starting spot. One of the biggest storylines going into the season for the Clippers will be the role of Maggette on the club. Maggette views himself as a starter while head coach Mike Dunleavy might view the 6’8 slashing forward as a sixth man. Regardless if Maggette starts or comes off the bench, Maggette is a serious threat to push Mobley down the depth chart.

Mobley signed with the Clippers to play a major role in bringing the struggling Clippers franchise back to prominence. The Clippers have become one of the better teams in the league. So, what does the veteran shooting guard thinks about his role with the Clippers? Last season when Maggette returned from injury, Mobley lost his starting role and came off the bench on several occasions. In a one-on-interview last season when asked about coming off the bench, Mobley seemed content with his role and was only concerned about winning and putting the Clippers deep in the playoffs. If Mobley sees a lack of playing time this season will Mobley's positive attitude continue through the season or will Mobley become frustrated and disrupt the Clippers chemistry?