In LA: The Secret to Winning
By Caren Sawyer

The Los Angeles Clippers sent out two different teams on Wednesday night when they played the Dallas Mavericks. There was their first half team, and then the team that played in the second half. If coach Mike Dunleavy can choose, he’ll go with the second squad. The turnaround between halves was the result of many factors however there’s little dispute that it was primarily the play of Cuttino Mobley who turned things around.

“Putting Cat on Nowitzki and making him move, he just did an unbelievable job. Defensively and on offense he was terrific, he was able to take over the game for us. It was a sensational game.”

High praise from Dunleavy who stated a few times that not only did he think Wednesday night’s win was the best game from the Los Angeles Clippers since he arrived, but also that it was Mobley’s best game since putting on a Los Angeles Clippers jersey.

“I can’t tell you my secret” was Mobley’s response, leaning back with a wide Cheshire Cat grin, very appropriate considering being named Player of the Game but he gave some hints, “I try to guard anybody, I try to help out as much as possible, staying aggressive as much as possible and not slowing down.” In conclusion said Mobley, “It was a happy night”.”

Mobley's secret, staying aggressive. From player to player ‘play aggressive, play with intensity’, was the winning battle cry on Wednesday. “We came out with more intensity and started playing harder – it’s that simple,” said Sam Cassell.

Yet if it is so simple, why not play with intensity from the start. The Los Angeles Clippers got off to a sluggish start, they looked mismatched on defense and there were apparent defensive lapses. Adding to their defensive challenges, they couldn’t catch a break on offense either and played from behind the entire first quarter. But just as important as aggressive and intense play is persistency. The Los Angeles Clippers never gave up. They went after each rebound, grabbed steals, drove to the basket, they just couldn’t convert. However when you play defense and don’t give up eventually good things will happen.

“We showed our poise by coming back,” said Sam Cassell.

They showed poise and confidence. Echoed Elton Brand, “We have lots of confidence, we haven’t been playing our best but we’ve been playing well enough to win.” When you know you can do better and then you do, you will ultimately be a winning team.

Said Corey Maggette, “The team had to get it in their mind what they wanted to do.” That was the challenge at half time from Dunleavy. He made a few defensive adjustments, going with a straight defensive match up with the realization that the best way to get the offense jump started is by playing defense, and with those subtle switches pulled it all together.

But if you ask a player it was all about the attitude of the team. From Brand, “We pulled our intensity up, that’s what set us apart,” to Cassell, “We were going to go out and play harder than these guys and that’s what we did.” Some how they were able to flip a switch and turn it on. Sounds very familiar, like comments from another LA team a few years ago, it’s a nice switch to have handy.

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