The "other" team in Los Angeles. That's one of the more gentle ways the Clippers have been described over their years in the NBA.

That's not so anymore, however.

The Clippers who will face the Hornets at 7:30 p.m. today at the Charlotte Coliseum have a new look and a .500 record, both, in large part, the result of the addition of former Duke star Elton Brand.

He's not the only familiar face in the Clippers' starting lineup - another former Blue Devil, Corey Maggette, starts at wing guard and former North Carolina Tar Heel Jeff McInnis starts at point guard. But Brand has had the most impact.

Traded by the Chicago Bulls last June in a move that still has some people in the league shaking their heads, Brand has become a force. Going into Thursday's loss at New Jersey he was averaging 18.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 36.4 minutes per game.

"The big coup for them was getting Brand," Hornets coach Paul Silas said.

"He's a 20 (points), 10 (rebounds) guy, in exchange for some unknowns. It was a total shock, I think, to everybody. That's really solidified their team.

"They have a core of good young players. And they're playing exciting basketball right now."

Los Angeles is 18-18, representing the most wins for the franchise since it was 19-15 as the Buffalo Braves in 1975-76. The Clippers beat the Hornets 89-78 in Los Angeles last month.

"They really get up and down in transition," Silas said. "They ran the ball against us so well out in Los Angeles and that was our undoing. Their athleticism with the young players is what we have to be most concerned with."

The Clippers are 16-7 at home but have had a tough time on the road, going 2-11.

"Like any young players, normally they do struggle a little bit on the road early, until they learn how to win," Silas said.

"We're just hoping that continues, at least until after they play us." Brand