"The last guy I'm going to write about is Chris Paul, because he's already had his story.

So I go to the arena here early Friday to renew acquaintances with Elton Brand, someone who knew what it was like to be cheered as a Clipper before these new guys arrived in L.A.

He's had it tough here. And it's not good when you have it tough in Philadelphia because these people are mad they have to live in Philadelphia and ugly when you don't help them escape by playing well.

"I know," he says. "You're going to forget me and write about Chris Paul now."

Nice knowing you, Elton.

No way I do it for anyone else, but there is no happier ending than when the good guy finishes as the hero.

Now I realize we have Kobe Bryant in town, one of the game's great closers. But we haven't had the combination recently of great closer and terrific guy.

So, after making the winning shot to beat Philadelphia, 78-77, the first thing Paul says is: "What a great play by Blake Griffin to save my tail."

That's before he calls the biggest play of the game Caron Butler's two-point follow-up moments after Butler comes off the bench, and then indicating the game ball should go to the rebounding terror Reggie Evans."