The Clippers are more than just opportunists who've taken advantage of an early favorable schedule. They are not going to fall apart like other Clippers teams.

At least, that's what Sam Cassell said Friday. The veteran point guard, who has led his team to a 10-5 start, dismissed any notion that the Clippers are coming back to earth, or that, slowly but surely, their record will fall.

"People think we're going to slide," Cassell said. "We're not sliding. I'm not going to let us slide. (Coach Mike Dunleavy) isn't going to let them slide."

The 36-year-old Cassell yearns to coach once his playing days end, and the extended film session allowed him to take an active role in getting players to figure out how to fix their mistakes.

"Do guys like it?" Cassell asked. "No. Do they respect it? Yes. Do they get anything out of it? Yes. I hate watching film. Mike (Dunleavy) knows I hate it. That's something we have to do."