Sorry about the lateness of this post. I was busy this morning, uh, working. Yea, working. At this time, I'd like to say that I was on the "this trip looks bad" boat when it began! People, even nba players, hate working and traveling on holidays, especially major ones!! Let's hope being home helps out!

Clippers Stuff:

Power Rankings: Heat on top with parity out West | NBA.com
L.A. Clippers (8-5) Pace: 95.2 (11), OffRtg: 104.3 (7), DefRtg: 98.4 (4) The Clippers' defensive improvement has been noteworthy, but their offense disappeared (OffRtg: 98.5) on their 1-3 road trip.

Clippers' Blake Griffin doesn't hold back - latimes.com
Forward starts taking more jump shots and is hitting the mark, including several against Atlanta to finish with 22 points. He says teammates are encouraging him to do so.

Clippers' early success on road doesn't carry throughout trip - latimes.com
The Clippers began a four-game trip with a win at San Antonio before losing three in a row, at Oklahoma City, Brooklyn and Atlanta.

Opponents Stuff:

Anthony Davis out with ankle injury, compares it to Grant Hill
Up-to-the-minute NBA news, in-depth analysis and complete coverage of NBA teams, players, games, scores, and the playoffs.

Hornets Beat: Chris Paul, Monty, and Feeling Blue | New Orleans Hornets | Hornets247.com

Our New Orleans Hornets writers discuss booing Chris Paul, Monty Williams, the recent slide, and the future of Lance Thomas and Xavier Henry. Our

Eric Gordon Unable to Give Clarity on Knee Injury | New Orleans Hornets | Hornets247.com
Poor EJ...

Around the NBA:

Anxiety Disorder Complicates NBA Player's Career : NPR
Audie Cornish speaks with sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about basketball player Royce White. He suffers from an anxiety disorder that greatly impacts his ability to perform as a member of the Houston Rockets. The team, which at first was supportive of helping him deal with his problem, is now thinking of sending him down to its D-league team.

Houston Rockets Coach Kevin McHale's daughter dies at 23 - latimes.com
Sasha McHale, daughter of Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale, dies. She was 23.

Linsanity was fool's gold for the Knicks

With the New York Knicks set to play Jeremy Lin for the first time this season, the decision to let him lave as a free agent was a good one, columnist Moke Hamilton writes.

Danny Granger, Monta Ellis, Jordan Crawford, and the NBA's All-Chuckers Squad - Grantland
Inefficient ball hogs. Remorseless gunners. Shot-hungry heathens. Say hello to the NBA's fearless firing squad.