Los Angeles Clippers Basketball Team

Pooh vs. the Hobbit. No, it's not some mythical literary throw-down between two cuddly characters: Winnie the Pooh vs. the Hobbit, the invention of A.A. Milne and J.R.R. Tolkien. Still, there is a bit of added drama to what would be an otherwise ordinary January game between the struggling Chicago Bulls and the floundering Clippers tonight at Staples Center. How about a showdown between standout rookie guards Derrick Rose of the Bulls and Eric Gordon of the Clippers?

The last line of questioning may have been the toughest for Elgin Baylor during his news conference Thursday morning at his attorney's office in Beverly Hills. What have you been doing since October, Elgin? Have you been watching Clippers games? Do you cheer for the team? Is it tough to cheer for the team? Baylor, 74, the NBA Hall of Famer and former Clippers executive, didn't answer and appeared more emotional than at any time during the session.

The food giveaway Saturday afternoon was something of a homecoming for two Los Angeles Clippers, as they returned to their old neighborhood in South Los Angeles to help needy families. Veteran point guard Baron Davis and forward Craig Smith joined forces with teammates, the Salvation Army and Feed the Children, a Christian nonprofit, to pass out food and other goods to about 800 families. Davis, joined by his 88-year-old grandmother, Lela, and sporting a bushy beard, said he felt nostalgic returning to his old turf, just a block away from the court where he had his first basketball practice.

The science lab, Clippers style, is now open for business. With a mere 12 wins in 52 games, well, that's the way it's going to be from now through April 15, which is the final game of the season. Glimpses of the upside have been few and far between. Take the Clippers' just-completed seven-game trip: It started with four losses and ended with another Monday. In between were two blowout victories, at Memphis and Atlanta. Hints of promise?

The Clippers can now firmly slam, lock away and claim amnesia for much of the previous 365 days. It was not a kind year and they will look to put it past them, starting early with a 91-82 New Year's Eve victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, a Midwest tonic that has soothed many an ailing team.

The Clippers are shrinking. Up front, they are reduced to center Chris Kaman as a big man with little in reserve. With Elton Brand and Paul Davis out because of serious injuries and Aaron Williams and Tim Thomas sidelined in the interim, the Clippers are looking for short-term answer to a big problem. Rookie Al Thornton has shifted to fill the power forward void, and Josh Powell is receiving steady minutes for the first time this season.

No Elton Brand? No Shaun Livingston? No problem. For four games at least. When the Clippers surged out of the gate 4-0 this season, it appeared they had pulled one on everyone -- themselves included. "For a while it looked like they were ahead of the curve," said Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl. "Then it seemed like everyone kind of caught up to them." The absence of Brand and Livingston, and a significant number of other injuries, are hindering the Clippers.

The biggest difference between college basketball and the NBA, according to Clippers rookie Al Thornton? The increased homework. "The different strategies of different teams," Thornton said. "You have to prepare for something different every night. That's one of the toughest things." So, Thornton studies teams, coverages and tendencies in his effort to learn and exploit defenses.

It was a sight for sore eyes . . . and sore ankles, knees and elbows. Forward Tim Thomas stood beyond the arc at Saturday's practice making three-point shots and forward Aaron Williams plugged the middle. Both will probably be available to aid a depleted front line today when the Clippers play host to the San Antonio Spurs in a matinee game at Staples Center.

It takes a lot to wipe the smile off Sam Cassell's face. Right now, the veteran point guard is at that point, admitting Sunday that he is not having fun during the Clippers' latest run of losses. "We are 10-21," Cassell said. "That doesn't make it fun to enjoy. I'm still optimistic about how we can turn things around and see what we can do." Cassell started and played 23 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs, going one of four from the field.