End of the Line

Didn't I say it would be a battle of the boards? And it was a battle the Los Angeles Clippers lost.

For the first time in the best-of-seven series, the Phoenix Suns managed to accomplish two things: one, they limited the Clippers to their lowest number of rebounds in the series, and two, they managed to tie the Clippers in rebounding, 32-32, after being beaten in that stat the previous six games.

Oh, and it doesn't hurt to be shooting 60% as a team, as the Suns finally ousted the Clippers, 127-107, almost as resoundingly as the Clippers' co-L.A. team, the Lakers, in the first round.

Amazingly, the Suns used only seven players, all of whom scored in double figures, in their game 7 win. They were led, appropriately, by Shawn Marion (30), and MVP Steve Nash (29). It seems that they were able to make use of the rest they were given, and they came into game 7 refreshed and ready to take on a hungry Clippers squad.

Still, it's been a wonderful post-season for the Clippers, who have put to rest, at least for now, their sorry, sorry history. Moreover, they won't have to plan any lottery party, having escaped the ignominy of that for this season.

Now, it's a look forward to the future. Will they re-sign Sam Cassell? Corey Maggette? Will the miserly owner Donald Sterling decide to open his purse a little more? And, most importantly, will they be able to do it again?

The coming months will tell the story. As a longtime Clippers fan, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.