Baron Davis has a lot of questions coming into the season to answer. The Clippers guard missed 17 games last season, and in the games he did play, he was somewhat of a letdown. With a healthier team around him, and the addition of #1 pick Blake Griffin, will Davis return to his old form?

My verdict so far is that he can. In preseason games, he has played with a definite chip on his shoulder. He came to Los Angeles with the goal of resurrecting a franchise in desperate need of success.

Often times, who to select at number one may depend on a team’s needs or preferences. The choice was clear this time around. Blake Griffin had established himself as a dominant player in college basketball, and the overwhelmingly obvious choice at number one.

Last year, he claimed to feel lost and without direction because he was a newcomer. This year, it’s officially “his team.” He knows if this is going to work, he has to lead them. He also knows that Blake Griffin is a huge addition and will help a ton.

It looks as though Davis is ready to accept the fact that he no longer can take over a game at any moment. He could do that in Charlotte, and also at Golden State, but he is declining a bit with age catching up.

With a healthy Marcus Camby, a new stud in Blake Griffin, and a pair of young, talented wings in Eric Gordon and Al Thornton, he can become a great distributor.

Griffin’s presence in the middle should easily free up the lane for Baron Davis, and create additional opportunities for players like Al Thornton to shine. He’s one of the strongest players coming out of college I’ve seen in a long time. Give him some time and he should be a stud.

Davis came to the Clippers with great intentions, and he can make a quick turnaround with a team that does have some nice pieces. Los Angeles will only have one relevant NBA team again this season though unless Baron Davis can lead the way at the point.

For the most exciting NBA forums online, check out RootZoo Sports. Continue this conversation on their Clippers forums with other Clipper fans.

Tags: ,