Comments on: New Orleans 104, Clippers 98

By: Sam Mays

Sam Mays — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:43:19 +0000

Yeah, they’ll have to add a few thousand more seats in Staples if we keep Mardy Collins.

By: MichaelCage!

MichaelCage! — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:50:55 +0000

Rubio has great instincts for a point guard though from what I’ve seen of him, he can’t shoot a lick. He might be able to develop a decent mid range game in a couple of years…but he reminds me alot of Shaun in that regard. We always raved about Shaun’s basektball IQ, frame, and abilities, but he was never able to hit the open jump shot with any regularity.

DeJuan Blair might be a good pickup if we don’t get Blake…we need a real PF who can rebound, provide interior toughness and inside scoring…not Zach.

By: clipsamba

clipsamba — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:59:04 +0000

Ricky Rubio is going to be Clipper’s #1 choice. He’s only 18. I don’t think Dunleavy is going to rush him take the load from day one.

By: Gordon for President

Gordon for President — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:58:53 +0000

Jason Kidd makes Jason Kidd look like he’s 50. Go with Griffin, there’s a reason EVERY team in the league agrees he’s the only sure-fire player in this draft.

By: clipsamba

clipsamba — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:44:33 +0000

And Mardy Collins.

By: bongstradamus

bongstradamus — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:32:47 +0000

I’d be all about Rubio this draft. I dont think theres any way he can be a bust after playing professionally for the last 4 years and seeing how he played at an incredibly high level during the olympics against the US team. Griffins a great talent, but hes already had 3 injuries and we’re loaded with bigs already. Griffin could be the next Dwight Howard or the next Drew Gooden. Sometimes the great ballers in college just dont pan out in the league. At least we have seen Ricky can play against the very best players in the world, hold his own and make Jason Kidd look like he’s 50 all at the same time.

By: Sam Mays

Sam Mays — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:43:38 +0000

If we get Blake Griffin, there is hope… Unfortunately, he’s the only player in this draft that is a franchise player. All the rest are potential, which means, potential busts. Not a game changer in the group with the possible exception of Rubio, who is an unknown. Could be great, mediocre or a bust.

If we get Griffin, we have him, Gordon and Thornton at the 2,3,4 which is worth building around… Keep Kaman and Jordan to handle the 5… We have some decent bench players worth keeping (Jones, Novak and Taylor)… Ship out Baron and Randolf for second round picks (if we can find a sucker who wants them at their ridiculous salaries). Also move Camby while he has some value… Suddenly, we have a young team and some cap space to find the right veteran to lead this team. If we can only get rid of Baron or Randolf, keep Baron and pray he brings some energy.

Next year’s team w/ Griffin… Hopefully Taylor will improve enough to push Baron for minutes.

1. Baron (or whatever his money brings if we can unload him) and Taylor
2. Gordon and Jones
3. Thornton and Novak
4. Griffin
5. Kaman and Jordan
6. You have Camby and Randolf’s salary to fill in as needed.
7. Wait until the following year to find a taker for Baron.

On the other hand, if we get Rubio, keep Randolf and hope he doesn’t hurt us too much defensively and get rid of Baron so the job belongs to Rubio. It could be an exciting team with lots of youthful exhuberance and actually fun to watch.

Next year’s team with Rubio

1. Rubio and Taylor
2. Gordon and Jones
3. Thornton and Novak
4. Randolf (or whatever his money brings if we can unload him)
5. Kaman and Jordan
6. We have Baron and Camby’s money to fill in as needed.
7. Wait until the following year to find a taker for Randolf.

If we don’t get Rubio or Griffin, then all is lost for another year.

1. Baron and Taylor
2. Gordon and Jones
3. Thornton and Novak
4. Randolf
5. Kaman and Jordan
6. We get a bench player in the draft who will contribute very little and won’t change the losing culture at all…

We’d basically come back with the same failed team…

By: Gordon for President

Gordon for President — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:23:38 +0000

Records don’t really affect the Draft Lottery as much as people think. I remain convinced it’s always fixed anyway. In 2007, Boston and Memphis were tanking hardcore; Portland and Seattle actually wound up with the first two picks. I like our chances with third or fourth worst record. BUT, we still have to contend with the Clipper Curse. At this point, there’s not much else to look forward to until next season.

By: benoit benjamin's two left shoes

benoit benjamin's two left shoes — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:51:36 +0000

Dream on guys. We’re looking at the 3d worst record, meaning the odds of moving up to number 1 aren’t great. And, with our luck in this season, even if Sacto and Washington somehow did pass us and we got the most ping pong balls, lightning would strike and we’d end up in the 3 spot anyway.

By: Gordon for President

Gordon for President — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:45:04 +0000

Who would be worth giving Griffin up for? The only ones I would even consider would be Lebron or CP3, and that ain’t happenining. I think if we do get the pick, we keep Griffin and develop this team around EJ, Griffin, Taylor, and Thornton with a few veterans mixed in. The youth movement paid off in Portland, and it’s working in OKC. Of course, it would take a decent owner, Coach, and GM.