Paul has quickly turned Clippers into a contender

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02/11/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - I haven't seen any signs of the meek inheriting the earth just yet unless Matthew was talking about the Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA's resident doormat has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse in almost record time by adding Chris Paul to Blake Griffin, a big step up for a franchise that was used to throwing out names like Danny Manning and Ron Harper as the measuring stick for success.

Of course achievement in the NBA is as black and white as it gets, ultimately decided by wins and losses as well as championships. Relevance precedes that kind of jump, however, and if butts in the seats and YouTube hits are any indication, this Clippers team has already arrived.

Vinny Del Negro's club has sold out Staples Center for all 13 of its home games this season. Meanwhile, Griffin's amazing slam over Kendrick Perkins late last month went viral and blew up every social media site there is.

It might not be Showtime but Lob City is officially a part of the NBA's elite and they're set up to be for a lengthy time.

Paul was the final piece to the puzzle. The All-Star point guard has fit in magnificently since being acquired from New Orleans after the lockout and is the only NBA player averaging over 19 ppg with 9-plus assists and at least two steals. As those numbers indicate CP3 can do it all, score, distribute and defend.

He's also a closer, hitting the game-winner with 3.2 seconds remaining to dispose of a tough Philadelphia team, 78-77, on Friday.

"One thing I pride myself on is ball handling," said Paul. "I may not make every shot but I feel like I can get any shot that I want because of ball handling. I've always been undersized, so one thing I know is that I can create my own shot."

"He's the security blanket," Del Negro added. "Get it in his hands. he's always been like that. Not only can he score but he's going to make the right play and that's what great players do. It's not always about scoring the basketball but making the right play. He takes pressure off everybody else and makes the game easier for the guys."

Griffin, meanwhile, is the only player in the NBA averaging over 21 points, 11 rebounds and three assists per game and would be only the fourth in 22 years to turn that trick if he keeps up the pace.

It would be nice if Griffin developed a little craftiness on the blocks to go along with the raw athleticism and power but he teams with shot-blocking machine DeAndre Jordan to give Vinny Del Negro perhaps the most physically imposing 4-5 combo in the entire NBA. In fact, Griffin and Jordan are both among the top five in dunks in the NBA.

"This is as aggressive and active a front line as any we play," Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

That aggressiveness only gets amped up when the newly acquired Kenyon Martin and the always energetic Reggie Evans hit the floor.

The Clippers just didn't have it offensively in Philadelphia but kept coming and coming at the Sixers. It's not often you see a player dominate without scoring but that's exactly what Evans did against Philly, using his effort and energy to wreak havoc.

"We couldn't run a play," Collins said. "They just physically were so strong for us around the basket. We just couldn't come up with some rebounds. Look at the stat sheet, they shoot under 39 percent, they shoot 11 percent from three with 14 assists and win the game and it's a shame."

Evans finished the contest with 10 rebounds -- five offensive -- in 19 minutes of action and was all over the floor, even disturbing the Sixers' ball- handlers with his ability to show on the pick-and-roll.

"He brings energy. Reggie is going to go get the ball," Del Negro said. "He's a wild card out there. He got spread out a couple times but his effort and energy is contagious. Guys feed on it. He got us some great offensive possessions. He really controlled the tempo of the game and kept them out of the open court."

There will still be hiccups for a team still learning to play together and losing the mettle of Chauncey Billups, a playoff-tested veteran, to a torn Achilles certainly hurts. But, the Clips have depth in the backcourt with former All-Star Mo Williams and the capable Randy Foye.

Already 3-1 on a grueling 11-day, six-game Grammy Road Trip, this Clip Show is something to see.

"That's a great defensive team," Collins said. "They have shot-blockers, they've got quickness, they've got size. With a healthy Chauncey Billups, that team arguably could win a championship."

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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