Move over Lakers-Celtics and Suns-Mavs, there’s a new NBA rivlary on the block: Clippers-Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors, after getting the rug pulled out from under them in the Baron Davis opt-out fiasco, are now going after Elton Brand in an attempt to save face and reel in a new superstar.

Brand originally opted out in the hopes of the Clips landing another free agent, which they did with Davis, but now has to be thinking twice with the exorbitant sum just offered to him from the team up north.

The Warriors really do seem like they shot themselves in the foot through all of this, originally declining to extend Baron with an appropriate amount of years, thus causing the current sequence of events we are witnessing. Gilbert Arenas seems likely to stay with the Washington Wizards, so this max offer just reeks of desperation.

In the process, they’re sure to be making enemies. Baron pledged his allegiance to Da Bay and seemingly left reluctantly, faced with no other alternative. The Clips can’t be happy with this, as it obviously throws one giant wrench into their plans.

Hopefully, Brand will keep a level head despite the offer and stay the course as to not upset Baron or the Clips, and just leave Golden State looking like jackasses to deal with the ramifications and newborn bad blood.

Wow. Every team in the Pacific Division is suddenly a hell of a story.

Clearly the powers that be read my post a few hours ago and put it all together.

It’s official - Baron Davis is a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

This guy’s prayers have been answered:
(found on ClipperBlog)

Thank God they made it happen. I wouldn’t have wanted to see any more of those acoustic pleas show up on the web. It just plain looks needy. Dude can croon though…

Boom Dizzle, welcome back home. Stay as long as you like and don’t let our singer-songwriter population scare you away.

Boy oh boy were those just strange words to write. However it is quite true. Watch out, the Los Angeles Clippers are about to be a force.

Yes, Elton Brand just opted out of his contract. However, unlike a multitude of other superstars who do this, saying that they’re intent on resigning with their team only to bolt for the first change of scenery, EB is here to stay. He’s been around through thick and thin, through sickness and health, and genuinely wants to stay a Clipper. Inspired during a trip to the NBA Finals to see the Boston Celtics superstars meshing together, he too wanted this.

Thus, he opted out to potentially resign at a discount in order to bring another star into town to take them to the next level.

Enter: Boom Dizzle.

Baron Davis has come out of nowhere to opt out of his deal with the Golden State Warriors. Many people are surprised by this move, given the Warriors recent successes and the foundation for much more, as well as Boom’s affinity for his Bay Area surroundings. Dude is loyal, but a line still has to be drawn somewhere.

Upon closer examination, the situation becomes clear:

The Warriors brass has been noncommital about extending not only Davis, but head coach Don Nelson. Furthermore, they failed to improve the team by utilizing the $10 million trade exception bestowed upon them from the Jason Richardson deal. They let it expire to essentially have a shot at resigning their emerging talents like Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins in a few years.

What’s even more intriguing is that the Warriors offered fellow opter-out Gilbert Arenas a max deal, perhaps hinting at dissatisfaction with Davis? Are they really that upset with his reluctance to utilize a razor?

At the ripe age of 29, the time to win is now for Davis. He owes it to himself to move on for a shot at a ring. Somewhere that wants him and somewhere he wants to be. Seems like a perfect pairing with a guy like Brand in a place like LA.

With a core of Elton, Baron, Chris Kaman, and Al Thornton, this becomes a very capable and dangerous Clipper squad.

Exciting times in Clipper Nation. Weird.