Those guided by superstition have traditionally characterized the Clippers’ misfortunes as preordained — as if management, a willingness to invest, talent evaluation, and coaching had nothing to do with a team’s performance during its first 25 years in Los Angeles. But even hard-boiled empiricists would have to concede this morning that the Clippers have been blessed over the past month and a half. A cursed franchise doesn’t typically defy probability and land the top pick in a one-player draft, or find a willing sucker to take on their most toxic asset a full week before the moratorium when such a trade can be consummated.
The Clippers have gotten lucky. Although diligence is often the mother of good luck, that’s probably untrue in the Clippers’ case. Only by virtue of drawing Blake Griffin on a losing hand, and finding a franchise more desperate and financially beleaguered than them, were the Clippers able to graduate overnight into a team with the opportunity for a bright future. The Clippers’ ability to finesse a new home for Zach Randolph doesn’t absolve the November deal any more than hitting on 18 and pulling a three at the blackjack table makes that blunder excusable. Having said that, luck (there’s that fussy word again) sometimes offers generous reprieves, and the Clippers were certain beneficiaries of those breaks.
I’ve been rough on Zach Randolph, so I’d like to take this opportunity to offer a more rational critique of him as a player. Is Randolph is a bad guy? I’ve had several conversations with him, but I generally hold the position that a series of locker room encounters tells us precious little about the inner life of athletes. There’s enough evidence to suggest that Randolph has applied lousy judgment throughout his professional life. On the court, he’s a statistical beast, but there’s a body of work that reveals tendencies which aren’t conducive to the formula the NBA demands at this moment for a successful franchise. Randolph was born about a decade too late, and would’ve been much more helpful pre-2001, before the revisions of the hand-checking rules produced a more perimeter-oriented game more hospitable to face-up 4s. His defense would’ve been less of a liability in an era when “taking up space” was a more essentially defensive quality, and Zach certainly does that. But today’s game presents insurmountable problems for Zach. Defensively, he simply can’t defend the collection of athletic 4s who dominate the league. When his man works his way down low, Zach has a horrible habit of bailing out, leaving a basket defender like Marcus Camby as the last line of defense. That’s an excusable tactic for a perimeter defender who’s gotten beat, but power forwards have certain responsibilities down low and, unlike front line defenders, they can’t hide from those.
Offensively, Randolph is a black hole down low. If we’ve seen nothing else since April 18, the ability of bigs to move the ball can’t be overstated. It’s no longer merely a luxury; it’s a prerequisite for longterm success. On Monday, John Krolik of Cavs the Blog composed this pithy axiom: “Simply put, some guys create shots and plays offensively while other guys finish them.” Randolph is undoubtedly a one-on-one finisher — and a pretty good one. But that’s not what the Clippers needed in 2008-09, or or necessitate going forward. They need guys who can create for others. Even Dwight Howard, he of the so-called (and mischaracterized) one-dimensional game, became an effective post-and-kick man for Orlando. Yet, Clippers fans went days without seeing Randolph make a smart pass to set up a shooter.
That’s our final word here on Randolph. Maybe he’s capable of giving the Grizz a jolt in a frontcourt that needs a productive one-on-one scorer. Who knows?
For all of Randolph’s deficiencies, the Clippers probably didn’t improve their 2009-10 win total yesterday, but they opened up space for Blake Griffin — obviously — and also for DeAndre Jordan. Watching Jordan workout and talking with talent evaluators and Clippers assistants, I’m becoming increasingly bullish on Jordan’s capacity to log quality NBA minutes at center. If he continues to refine his game, Jordan has a real chance to become a Chris Andersen-type shot-blocking energy big man who can collect garbage off the offensive glass, finish on the break, put up a gaudy FG%, and rebound like a fiend. Assuming that Kaman and Camby miss a collective 40 games this season — and that’s not an unreasonable assumption — Jordan will have the chance to hone his skills. That’s important, because it’s very likely Jordan will be an essential part of a Clippers frontcourt that, crowded as it’s been the past year or so, will soon thin out.
The wings? Still a concern. According to sources, the Clippers’ brass is gradually coming around to the idea that Al Thornton might be best utilized off the bench. Unfortunately, their only other options at the SF right now are Mardy Collins and Quentin Richardson — they of the combined 21.16 PER, plantar fasciitis, and a sore back. With the Richardson deal, the Clippers will be just barely under the cap, though they acquired a $7.3M trade exception. Although the Clips have been mentioned as a possible destination for Trevor Ariza — and wouldn’t that be glorious — they can offer him only the MLE (barring an improbably sign & trade with the $7.3M exception), which puts them in the boat with everyone else. Maybe Ariza, as a local product, would be receptive to moving across the hall at a discount, but it’s more likely he’ll land where he can either [a] get more cash (i.e. Toronto), or [b] contend for a ring (i.e. Cleveland).
To those dreaming of the promised land in 2009-10, it’s vital to exercise patience. The Clippers are still a year away from adding the personnel that can elevate them from curiosity to contender. But for the first time since the summer of 2006, the sun is out across the Nación this morning. Overnight, the Clippers became a younger, more likeable, more watchable, nimbler group. The effect on Baron Davis should be a positive one, and they can begin to sculpt an offense around a potentially devastating big-small/inside-outside combo in Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon.
When the season is over, the Clips will have nearly $20M available to them in free agency depending on the cap number. They’ll be able to compete for the 6-7 Joe Johnson, who would make a sensible wingmate for Eric Gordon. They could throw some shekels at the restricted Thabo Sefolosha, who would be a stellar addition for a team in need of facilitators and defenders. The Clippers will also have the flexibility to execute a sign and trade if there are contracted players on other rosters they covet (though the Clippers’ assets will be limited unless there are Al Thornton fans out there). Whatever they decide to do a year from now, the Clippers now have one of the most valuable assets a team with a promising young core can have: the means and flexibility to add complementary pieces.
106 Responses
Reason to be bullish on DeAndre?
Brass is coming around to put in Thornton off the bench?
This is great news…after all the misery last year we’ve received a pretty hefty payoff.
clipsamba Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Our reaction is overrated. Here’s why….
1. We had Brand for several seasons. Blake Griffin merely replaces that spot.
2. By trading ZACH for QRich, we lost a scoring machine in exchange for 2nd year contract relief. None of current Clippers can call themselves as scoring weapon. Not even Gordon.
3. This team is not redeemed until we trade Baron & Ricky Davis.
This team may not even win 20 games next season. Back to top draft lottery. No doubt about it.
Memphis has done a smart thing by acquiring ZACH. In return we gave up ZACH too soon.
andrew Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
lol another zbo lover. ever notice the chain of zbos career ?
isaiah thomas –> dunleavy –> Chris Wallace
next up DAVID KAHN.
clipsamba Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Love-hate question is out of equation. Let’s deal with our real concerns. BLAKE GRIFFIN can help us sell tickets. But don’t bet on him to 20+ games.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
DeAndre. Kid reeeeks of potential. I’ve said that from day one.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 9:12 am
Wow Dunleavy did the impossible. I’ll have to warn my boss that I’m not getting any work done today since I’ll be reading basketball articles every 10 minutes.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 am
Great post Kevin!
Although I like Ariza a lot, something about picking him up (now) seems like it would fall into that purgatory trap you blogged about a couple of months ago, ie clips feeling like they’re just ‘one piece away’ from contention.
Maybe that isn’t justified since they could only give Ariza the MLE anyway, but this team is still a year or two away–I would rather see a ‘jeff green+durant’ situation where a young potential-laden wing could be brought in to grow with the rest of the core, even if that means we win 5 fewer games this year.
I will say…our four first/second year players (gordon/griffin/taylor/jordan) are really something to get excited about. There’s something about Taylor’s attitude & determination that makes me believe he will be an effective scoring PG in this league, and there is enough excitement about the other guys on that list already.
James Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
Ariza is 23 years old, has gotten better every season, was a starter on a championship team.Is he not young and potential laden? He is also that glue guy everyone has been wanting. To bad we don’t have enough cash. Damn Ricky Davis.
BoomDizzleisaCipp Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
how about grabbing rudy fernandez? bringing him in would give us an athletic wing who could shoot lights out…also might become our most popular player in a spanish speaking market
http://dimemag.com/2009/07/rudy-fernandez-not-cool-with-hedo-to-portland-rumors/
john Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I guess just from the perspective that the market will push the price on Ariza high, and for a rebuilding team financial flexibility is important…
that said, I read at Forum B&G
“But once Portland signs Hedo, the only team that can offer him more than the MLE is Toronto, and they’d have to waive the rights to Marion to do it. The market is set for Ariza, and he may even have trouble getting the full MLE now as teams don’t think they have competition.”
If that’s the case that only toronto can offer >MLE, and clips can get him at MLE, hard not to do it.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 am
Great post. Feels good for Clipperblog to say goodbye to Zbo. Sun shining on the Nation.
One of the best things–hate to have to do it–was getting “complementary” right, at the very end, after a prolonged drought.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 am
If Sterling really wanted to shake things up he’s suck it up and go over the luxury tax level and sign a few of these glue-type player is ARTEST, ARIZA, BIBBY etc. That would send a clear sign to everyone and he’d sell every seat in the place. But he won’t because at the end of the day he covets money more than championships.
Chris. Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
1) that’s now how it works. You can’t just give someone a huge contract if you want to, especially FA. 2) breathe and relax, enjoy the moment. 3) have a beer and enjoy the 4th of July!
john Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I agree with #3
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Great post, as usual.
For what it’s worth, Eric Pincus keeps emphasizing that the front office is not asking about Ariza, despite reports to the contrary.
Kevin, I want to make sure I understand the trade exception here. It has to be used this off-season, or is it valid throughout the year as opportunities present themselves? Of what strategic / financial value is it if we hold all our cards this year?
D.J. Foster Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I thought I read over at Clipsnation that the trade exception is valid for one full year, but don’t hold me to that.
andrew Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
that is true unless it has changed recently.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Covets money more than championships? Sounds like liberal idea to me. Maybe we can bankrupt the entire league like the banking industry. There are only about five teams operating in the black at this point. How about these players take some pay cuts to keep their teams solvent and allow owners to reduce ticket prices?
Now that I think about it, perhaps we can get Obama stimulus money to pay for our free agents!
Jax Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
Jerry – the fact that you try to equate this to politics exposes you as an unsophisticated, angry wingnut. As I read your post, your point is that it’s ok to run a professional basketball franchise into the ground if you are making money at it. Several factors are relevant here. First, this is a league which depends for its success on the competitiveness of the teams of which it is comprised. DTS historically sought to exploit loopholes in the system to profit at the expense of the league as a whole. The league has a vehicle, which is the owners as a group, operating through the commissioner, to crack down on owners who do not operate their teams in good faith (good faith meaning actually trying to win). There are other rules, such as (I believe) a minimum team salary and revenue sharing.
Second, and this is not a liberal idea, one would think that eventually an owner who does not care about winning would be forced to sell the team because no one wants to support a team whose owner doesn’t care. The marketplace should ultimately dictate things.
Perhaps a combination of these two things caused DTS to start signing and retaining better players and to pay a coach (although MDSr was a mistake).
Third, you suggest that teams aren’t operating in the black because the players are being paid too much. Whose fault is that? I think you know.
To your political point, although you call it “Obama stimulus money,” in truth, the stimulus plan was formulated and first implemented under his predecessor, Bush, who was in office when the financial meltdown occurred. What they are trying to dow ith the stimulus is to create enough support and trust in the markets that banks will start freeing up or lending money again. Yes there is the nagging problem of inflation, but what really is the alternative – utter destruction of our entire economic system? Then we really won’t be talking about the Clippers, we’ll be trying to figure out how we are going to get our next meals.
The next time you criticize Obama for this mess, I suggest that you look in the mirror. There are a number of reasons why the economic system failed, including lax oversight of financial markets, in particular the secondary mortgage market(Bush), Congress – both parties – at the trough of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and many many other issues. Simply put, our government let us down, and now we are faced with financial armageddon.
Since you’re so smart, my man, what would you do?
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Steve Perrin’s post clears up some of my question above (and is intriguing to boot): http://www.clipsnation.com/2009/7/2/935227/randolph-to-the-grizzlies-a-reality
“Trade chips now – Examples of the “Law of unintended consequences” are rampant in the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The ‘Trade Exception’ is one of the best. The Clippers are of course thrilled to take back less salary in this deal than they sent out. That’s a gift in and of itself. But as if that weren’t enough, they also get a $7.3M trade exception to use within the next year. This allows them to trade for a player without sending anyone out. In addition, the Clippers now have Richardson’s expiring contract to add to their already impressive collection that includes those of Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis and Mardy Collins. Basically, the Clippers have almost unlimited freedom to match salaries for any team looking to dump salary this season. It goes without saying that “Preserving 2010 cap space” and “Trading exceptions and expiring contracts” are mutually exclusive – you can’t do both. But if the opportunity to get that special player presents itself via trade sooner rather than later (think Pau Gasol to the Lakers) then the Clippers are in a position to act.”
D.J. Foster Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Whoops. Just saw that you found it on your own.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
Before you people get excited about a winning season, remember this:
The only real difference in Clippers who got off to one of the 15 worst starts in league history and this years is, TT and Mobley vs Griffin(a rookie) and Q
Yeah, the Clippers are in a better spot now, but as the previous years have shown, they’ve screwed it up.
bootstrenf Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
are you a troll?
can’t you just shut the fuck up for once?
let us true fans have our moment…..as clipper fans, we are pessimistic by nature, but you take it to a whole new level….
douchebag…
ACD Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
AMEN!
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
That’s pretty bad if your moment is Dunleavy fixing his own screw-up.
Gordon for President Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Honestly? Our projected starting PF last year was Camby then TT. We just replaced that with a kid named, what was it? Oh yeah, Blake Griffin. Not to mention EJ has another year under his belt, and Dunleavy and Baron each have something to prove this year. Future looks good, now we just wait for CLE to fail this year, and in comes LBJ ready to take Staples and LA from Kobe and the Lakers.
Okay, that last part is beyond wishful thinking, but the rest still stands.
andrew Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
+1
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
As a Clips fan and SF Giants fan, this all reminds me a lot of the rise of Tim Lincecum, (The reigning Cy Young) and how the Giants fans were so ready to put the past (Barry Bonds, for better or worse) behind them and start a new, younger era and build around a freakish talent. SF Giants are now the 2nd best team in National League. I see similar circumstances with Blake Griffin and the Clips. I believe in year Zero and I thinnk we have turned a corner…Past is the past. Clips fans, can you see the playoff appearances on the horizon? I can!! Clips in ’10!!
benoit benjamin's two left shoes Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Another Giants/Clips fan? A team that hasn’t ever sniffed a championship and another that hasn’t won one in my lifetime (I still get nauseous when I see that damned rally monkey!) I thought I was the only such glutton for punishment.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Joe Johnson and Thabo Sefelosha?????
You have $20 million dollars next year and and money opening up down the road….there should be two targets…LeBron and Dwayne Wade…with LeBron being the obvious priority.
Why wouldnt LeBron be interested in the Clippers?
1. Better young roster than NJ, NYK: Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, Al Thorton, Baron Davis has some good years left, and of course Blake Griffin. NYK or NJ cannot field a better young roster.
2. The chance to come to a big market. The Angels and Dodgers draw the same amount of fans in the same town, they have both been equally competitive, there is a rivalry brewing, there is a diverse market. Plus its Los Angeles where LeBron can film his movie and television projects (with the help of Baron Davis)
3. ITS LOS ANGELES
4. You cant over look what motivates LeBron just like what motivated Kobe. Kobe wanted to be the best, kind of in a Jordan way, even has his coach his moves etc. You gotta be a fool to think that LeBron is not looking at Kobe and how he owns LA and wants a piece. But LeBron is not the guy who would play for the Lakers, because he would just blend in with the rest of the greats of LAL. He goes to the Clippers he is automatically the best LAC player ever.
5. He can upstage Kobe is own city. LeBron going to a lousy New Jersey Nets team or going to NYK where if he fails his career takes a major hit (thers not a lot of talent over there), but LeBron can be the best player in Los Angeles??? The chance to better than Kobe, be more marketable and take Kobe’s thunder would force people let LeBron be king of LA. Kobe isnt not so much into the rivalry with LeBron as LeBron thirsts to take it from Kobe.
6. If LeBron goes to the Knicks and they Knicks sign another star like Bosh, people will say that LeBron cant win it alone forever. He goes to the Clippers and he can be thanked for turning young guys into greats, and taking the worst franchise in sports to a title.
I dont read the Clipper Blog often, but it seems that the writer of the blog has just a hapless view of the team as Donald Sterling does. The fans have some responsibility in this if your hope is Joe Johnson next year
bootstrenf Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
as ludicrous as this idea seems, i’ve shared the same thoughts many times….
why not LA for lebron, and exactly for the reasons listed above….
it’s not so crazy when you think about it…..
people say NY is the Mecca of basketball……the knicks only have 3 titles!!!
if lebron were to be added to the current clipper squad, they would win 3 right there…
jockgroove Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
There is no way LeBron and DWade would ever come to the Clips. Don’t even dream it. And don’t knock Joe Johnson, for a team like the Clips with a possible mandatory double-team like Griffin, he’d be a huge asset (the age concerns me however). Overall, I do think we should be a tad more bullish on this season than Kevin’s write-up suggests. I’m not sure the team will make the playoffs, but I think they will provide surprises and possibly be in the race for a few months. The Western Conference pendulum is swinging wildly with only Golden State, the Kings, Grizzlies and maybe even the Suns and Rockets (especially if they loose Artest) looking like they will be the weakest of the division. A lot can happen, but these moves should provide hope to Clipper Nation for sure.
TNT57 Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Brother, whatever you’re smoking please pass it my way! damn!
andrew Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
me too, unless its crack, or meth. also, can we please start making shorter paragraphs ?
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
The notion that Lebron James would ever consider coming to LA is absolutely ridiculous. He would never join the Lakers for the afore mentioned reasons of not wanting to “blend in” with the previous greats, and it would absolutely ruin his marketability to join the Clippers, whether we like it or not. New York is the mecca of basketball due to its location, marketability, strong celebrity fan base, and exposure; not because the Knicks are a historically title winning franchise.
Just being tagged with the Clippers franchise would knock Lebron’s name brand down a notch, it just wouldn’t make sense for him to come here.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with LeBron talk eh!
Let this roster build some chemistry on the court and find their style (do not be a hindrance here MDSr or you can stick to being a GM only). From there, we can make those decisions next year. We’ll have a better idea if Al Thornton just had a stalling year this year on a poisoned team or if he really isn’t going to improve much. We’ll know more about the potentail of DJ and MT and if they are destined to be starters/role players/cut.
As it states, having a young core, with some talented experienced (and hopefully motivated) players and cap flexibility is basically a dream come true after last season.
And for what it’s worth. It doesn’t need to be a mega superstar such as LeBron in order to take a championship. You need stars and we’ve got two in Blake and Eric. It’s filling in the peices around them to compliment them. Joe Johnson would be a great move.
Wouldn’t have minded having Ramon Sessions here this season though…..
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
how about nick young as an inexpensive young wing that could develop into a great scoring 2 or 3? i loved him as SC, how good would he be off the bench for gordon and thorton? would a camby for nick young, javale mcgee and andre blatche work? we could have the best young core in the league all of a sudden…in two years we’d be a powerhouse
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2009/7/2/935964/six-reasons-why-nick-youngs
ClipsUK Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Not sure they would do that but it would be a hell of a trade and give us great potential at every position. Wiz are on a win now thing though. We would need some strong veteran leadership as well
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Lebron could make no bigger statement than coming to a perennial losing franchise like the Clippers and turning it around. That would be a bold move.
bongstradamus Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 am
Sorry, LeBron’s most likely going to stay a Cav or become a Knick. Hell will freeze over before he comes to LAC.
If he wants to turn around a loser, he’ll turn around the Knicks. Thats playing on the worlds biggest stage, with the most recognizable franchise outside of the Lakers.
‘Bron man is going to save Metropolis.
andrew Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
eh, ill be suprised if he goes to a team who’s starters are chris duhon, jordan hill, danilo gallinari and wilson chandler.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Santa Claus, I have one more wish:
Please talk to the Lakers to see if they’ll sign & trade us Ariza for Thornton and Ricky Davis, or Ariza and Josh Powell (backup to Griffin) for QRich and his expiring deal.
This trade helps both teams: We get an upgrade at SF (Ariza) and a reasonable backup at PF (Powell) and the Lakers get Q to back up the 2 and 3 for a year (and then get 8mio. in cap space/relief). Or, we get Ariza and the Lakers don’t lose him for nothing by plugging in the much cheaper Thornton still on his rookie deal and adding Ricky off the bench for a year.
Let’s do this, please.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
i forgot who it was that opposed me in my belief that deandre can be a beast in the league in a post about a month back or so. i posted his stats from the handful of games he got 20+ minutes, and his stats were solid. i say to him, it looks like i’m far from the only person with any decent level of knowledge that believes in deandre’s ability to be more than a bench warmer.
So excited to see the development of our team the next couple years. things are really looking up. now as long as dunleavy keeps to his “promise” of speeding up the tempo, for once, we got the pieces to really show the team’s potential and be an attractive place for a solid free agent next summer.
nacion hope Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:25 am
i read those posts. I agree with kenji. DJ has got what it takes, all he needs to do is develop more. but he should not be counted out. Ian you need to chill out. People get the most defensive when they feel the heat of being in the wrong. We’re all here to support the clippers.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Anybody have any thoughts on the idea of bringing back James Singleton? He’s an unrestricted FA…
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Marcin Gortat is headding to Dallas that means that we could move Kaman for Shane Battier. I am still welling to do that. We will have DJ come off the bench and Camby start.
Chris. Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Then who would play back-up to Griffin? Battier is a SF.
I like him and think he’d be great here as a defensive minded SF, but I think Camby can be the best teacher possible to help train Griffin in year 1 in the NBA into being a star!
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Getting back to Randolph. His problem was immaturity both on and off the court. He was an unwilling passer and defender and off the court his decision making was even worse. I just hope he can go until July 8th without getting arrested.
I think after this coming season we’ll be in a position to answer our many unanswered questions. Is Baron a motivated leader? Is Thornton a keeper? Will Blake and Gordon be stars, or solid pieces to the puzzle? Will Jordan and Taylor become big-time assets? Will Kaman regain his form and become a center worth keeping? The answers to all those questions will probably be known next year at this time.
That will tell us who to go after in the F/A market. The one weakness I see immediately is outside shooting. Gordon is the only regular who is genuinely dangerous. That’s not enough. Baron and Thornton are streaky shooters who can be left alone and can go very cold. Q, the same thing… Hopefully, we can add a solid PG this year in the event Baron is injured or disinterested again; perhaps someone like Ridenour who can really shoot the basketball.
bootstrenf Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
ridnour is a sharpshooter??? that’s news to me….i never knew that….
i think we have all the shooters we need right now….
qrich is a bomber, gordon and novak are great shooters that not only shoot at a high clip, they seem to have almost unlimited range……and baron might not be the most efficient chucker, but he is streaky and he is deadly when he is on……with a healthy kaman and griffin down low, it will open everything up on the outside and we will become a better shooting team……
we don’t need to add shooters, we already have them…..all we need is a different approach to the game and the kaman/griffin combo will provide that with their post presence…
Ian Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Yeah. Ridnour is definitely not considered a good shooter around the league. In fact, it’s generally considered his biggest weakness (despite the fact that he’s white…. people usually assume white guys can shoot). I forget what site suggested this but i remember when he played in Seattle someone at one of the major sports websites said that a compilation of his misses should be made and titled “I Was Open, So I Had to Shoot: The Luke Ridnour Story.”
bongstradamus Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 am
I loved watching him back when he played for Oregon though. I thought Luke would develop into a better pro than he has. Some of that spark returned last year playing under Skiles, but he never quite became White Chocolate 2.0
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60289/20090702/artest_to_sign_with_lakers/
Artest signs with Lakers. Maybe we have a shot with Ariza now? Keep dreaming, right?
kenji Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
clips can’t offer ariza more than a MLE this year. but if he would sign a MLE for 1 year, then re-sign for a bigger contract next summer (as long as dont get caught like joe smith), then i can see it working. it’d be a nice slap to the face of the lakers, especially since he’s salty about their unwillingness to pay him what other teams are offering. haha.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Great, one of my favorite players signs with Kobe. I hope there’s a basketball strike somehow next year.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Jerry, I’m just saying that there are owners who want to win above all else and then there’s guys that want to make a profit. You can understand that can’t you? Dr. Buss is a winner. Sterling is a capitalist. I never said it was wrong, I was just stating the fact that winning is not at the top of his list. Yours either I guess. So you should be very happy with current management. I prefer winning and making money which a championship affords you. Only a right wing bonehead could figure out a way to bring politics into a sports blog. Why don’t you and Rush pop a couple oxycontin and put on a Hank Williams Jr CD why we all talk about basketball.
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
TNT, you brought up the subject of team economics and gave us an invaluable lesson in how an owner should run his franchise. It’s clear that DTS is extremely cheap and why he paid $16 Mill per year to get ZBo in the first place.
I was merely pointing out the one-sidedness in your analysis, which obviously had a liberal tilt. If we can talk about hedgehogs and foxes on this blog, we can also talk about basketball economics. I look forward to seeing you at the next Clipper game in your Hybrid while drinking Mona Vie to save the rain forests.
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
I probably have the worst attitude of anyone, but I do think Stearling doesn’t care as much about profit as he used to. Or he thinks a winning team can make him more money.
TNT57 Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 am
When did basketball economics and a persons political views become connected? I just get tired of people who can’t argue the facts so they resort to these tired Obama is bad references. WE PLAYED THAT GAME Jerry AND YOU GUYS LOST! Get over it. Unite and move forward. Sports is about fun. Dr. Buss went 10 million OVER the cap and just signed a player who will, barring injury, help win the Lakers 2 or 3 more rings. Along with that will go millions and millions of dollars in new revenue. I wasn’t trying to offer anyone a ‘lesson’, I was simply offering an opinion based on fact. If that comes around in your mind to somehow equal ‘Obama is a bad leader’, well, that’s your problem. And for the record, I drive a mini-van and don’t drink.
andrew Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
jerry bus is paying over 100 million for his payroll including the tax
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I think when the Cavs come to LA this year we should give Lebron a Caesars welcome. Show him what it could be like to be King of LA. LeBron wants to be the greatest, and taking the Los Angeles Clippers to multiple NBA Championships would look pretty impressive on any resume. As far as hurting his marketability—can you imagine Kobe vs Lebron battling it out to be crowned King of LA during the regular season and again in the playoffs. It could be yankees- Red sox huge(to the point where the rest of the nation gets sick of it).
I think for even the smallest possibility of this to occur 2 things must happen. 1. Blake Griffin needs to have a monster year. 2. We would have to find a way to somehow sneak into the playoffs.
WAR — hoping we would have to endure an several years of the Lebron-Kobe puppet commericals as Lebron rips LA from Kobe’s grimy little fingers
Jambir Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
And yes I realize its an incredible long shot but hey we are Clipper Fans right…the hope of better days ahead is what we live off of
bootstrenf Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
amen, brother jambir, amen…..
it is improbable, but not impossible…..
isn’t there anyone here that would know how to start some type of grassroots campaign to get lebron in LA???
any season ticket holders willing to pass out signs during games that say things like:
“Lebron, save LA!!!”
“kobe who? lebron for mayor of LA!!!”
“LAC vs. LAK ; Lebron vs. Kobe”
not very good i admit, but i’m sure with a little more thinking, you guys could come up with some great slogans…..
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
ahhhh how i pray blake griffin wont be a bust…..
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 2:29 am
I am just glad that they stopped running those play LOUD commercials.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 7:56 am
Griffin’s pre season training regimen:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?id=4246127
Great story
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
Grant Hill (1.98m, played all 82 games last season), Matt Barnes (1.2m), Ramon Sessions (711k) and even Jumpin James Singleton are all serviceable wings we can use and get on the cheap. Any of you remember how Singleton was a beast at defensive/ offensive rebounds for the clips in 07-08?? He was just misused by Dunce as a PF. Get him on his natural position at 3 and get Thornton’s no defense ass on the 4 slot backing up Blake and we may have something….
F* R.Davis. I don’t hear any stories about his ass in Playa workin out with Boom Dizzle and DJ. He should text Kaman and meet Griffin in SF to work with Matrisciano. Has he no f*n pride after last season?
Dont even get me started on Mardy Collins… Mardy Collins?! C’mon now…
bootstrenf Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:27 am
what’s wrong with mardy collins?
he produced when given the playing time…..i’d rather start collins over thornton…..seems like the clippers did better with collins at the point than when baron was running it….
and there is no way in hell that we are getting sessions for 711K……or even by trade….resigning/retaining sessions is one of the buck’s top priorities……
J'Rock Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 am
With Lakes signing Artest, heres your proposed match up:
Fish- Davis
Gordon- Kobe
Artest- Collins/ No-D Thornton
Gasol- Griffin
Bynum- Kaman
I’m not saying Collins is a bad player as a 3rd/4th option. At this point he’s looking like a second option?? F* that, are you kidding me? The goal of being an NBA team is to win or at the very least compete.
No way we would compete with Collins starting, even with that one Boston victory.
bootstrenf Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
i said nothing about collins being the second option, just that he would
be the one distributing the ball….
and you say we couldn’t compete with collins starting, but did we compete
last year with thornton starting? not really….
the only thing thronton does is take bad shots and not play defense….
collins might not be a scorer, but he won’t kill us with dumb shots, and he would actually pass the damn ball……
with baron davis, eric gordon, blake griffin and chris kaman as the starting five, the last thing we need at the 3 spot is a stupid chucker who doesn’t pass or play defense…..we need the exact opposite…..someone who plays defense and passes…..mardy collins is exaclty that kind of player….
bootstrenf Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
and it’s also kind of funny that you juxtapose our lineup with that of the lakers……on the clippers’ side, you could plug in anyone on the roster to fill the spots and we still couldn’t compete with the lakers….
in fact, you could take any lineup from any team in the nba they probably couldn’t compete with the lakers……there’s a reason the ywon the chip this year…
J'Rock Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Thornton stinks, there’s no way I would start him. You need to read the post better (No-D Thornton). I’d rather run 3 point guards. Mardy Collins is not terrible, he’s just not who I envision as a 3 option for our roster. This post started with recommendations for 3s that we can sign because of that fact. Quit bitchin, keep wearing your custom Collins jersey to the games, and relax.
andrew Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
what 3 point guards ? Gordon is at the 2 not matter what. Thornton is our starting 3 until further notice.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 am
youuuuuuuu
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
anyone think that starting our youngin’s this upcoming season would be a good idea? the only vet we would start is at the 3 spot……we could run an offense similar to the bulls when the offense ran through pippen at the 3 spot…..mardy collins could be our pippen…
the young ones would all get valuable playing time…..a whole season’s worth of great experience……
pg: mike taylor backup : baron davis
sg: eric gordon backup : dionte christmas
sf: mardy collins backup : al thornton
pf: blake griffin backup : steve novak
ce: deandre jordan backup : kaman/camby
not only would they all get some serious playing time, the clippers would probably get another shot in the lottery…..
the dream would be to get john wall, but i would be tickled pink if we were to get lance stephensen…….lance would actually fit better because he could step in at the wing postion……
anyone agree??? even a little bit???
ClipsUK Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 am
Nope, not even a little bit!
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 9:23 am
LAKERS sign Artest means game over for everybody else. They now have 2 premiere lock down defenders and a back line of 3 7 footers — 2 of which can score at will. Once again their desire for winning makes the Lakers the best franchise in sports. I still hate them, but man what I wouldn’t give to have that kind of energy and power at the top levels of the Clipper organization. I guess we need to set our sights a bit lower…say 40 wins equals our championship? Man, I need to have my head examined for getting behind this bunch.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
A big, smooth, clutch dude who would be a TREMENDOUS upgrade over the 1-dimmensional Al Thornton.
Bring him on next year!
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Differences from last year.
EJ – Is a starter from day 1, set to build on a successful rookie campaign.
Griffin – He may not have the complete offensive game that Randolph did, but he’s more athletic, hard working, and looks to be a guy who could will us to victory. Big question as to how his game will translate, but he’s no true rookie with 2 years college experience.
PG – Baron was optimistic to kick off his Clipper career in 08′, but he quickly realized he didn’t have the personnel to be competitive. After a year in which he didn’t give much effort, the early reports are good about his motivation. Will Blake let him lolly-gag? We also gladly do not have to play Jason Hart anymore…Mike Taylor has a year under his belt and we’ll get to see an electric player at the backup point who could be any kind, though his erratic play has many thinking he’s a lost cause. We now know that Mardy Collins can also play this spot in a pinch, ditto for EJ.
Rotation of Bigs: Griffin, Kaman, Camby, DeAndre, & Novak?
Notice how this rotation does not include Tim Thomas, Paul Davis, or Brian Skinner? This is also a significant upgrade from the beginning of last season.
There are a lot of reasons as to why we’ll be a better club this year. The development of our 08′ draft class will be a key factor, as will BG’s transition into the pro’s. If he can put together a rookie of the year type year, we could expect to accomplish something similar to what the Bulls achieved last year.
TNT57 Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
BTW, What the heck ever happened to PAUL DAVIS? He was in the league and then he was gone. I saw him on this reality show called MILLIONARE MATCHMAKER where this woman hooks up rich guys with women. A couple things…If you’re rich and you can’t get women, that’s pretty sad. And I have never, in my entire 52 years of living, seen a human being so devoid of personality than Paul Davis. He makes LURCH look like Robin Williams. And he has that big, protruding forehead. The women on the show were laughing at him behind his back because he was such a clod. Plus, he never did get his big contract which means he broke and dull. Yikes.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
i wish we had guys like Joachim Noah to cuss out the older guys when they aren’t hustling. You talk a lot of shit about those baby bulls teams, but their core players cared about winning every game. Who’s gonna get in Baron’s ass when he decides it’s time to give up on this season?
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Unless there is some bizarre trade to get Tayshun Prince for Chris Kaman and filler, I think the team is what it is guys.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
1st and foremost poli sci has no reason ever being on the clip blog clinton started and bush pushed us over the cliff.And there not the only ones to blame every american who wanted a boat and etc pushed this country over with refinaces.Who cares I was the 1st person to say go after rudy fernandez even before that story broke i said it after turgo applied to be a free agent.And just like i’ve said from day one never sign an ex laker who got stardom from being a laker with big shot bob being one but his from clutch city so he doesnt count.Trevor ariza is ok his defense is only good the same way kobes is because the refs turn a blind eye to there holding.If the clips want to use that one year trade exception they should use now and i gonna take it away from rudy fernandez and give it to the taller and better jump shooter travis outlaw who now is the odd man out.He shoots and he seems commited to being a better defender.And for all the people who say never about d wade lebron or anybody for that matter if the clips win and make the playoffs they will come.Just like on field of dreams if you build it they will come ie if the clips playball take the rockets spot and make it to the playoffs one of those guys might want to jump ship even though i cant stand showbe i was very close to becoming a clipper if it can happen once it can happen again
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
TNT, liberal viewpoints are grounded in the way people holding those viewpoints would like things to be, not based on how real life works. Your idea that DTS should pay any price to win a championship is simply a silly and whimsical notion not grounded in reality. That’s how I was able to identify you as a liberal. Turns out I was right….
Jax Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Jerry, when you use platitudes like that to describe political views other than your own, again, it only makes you look silly.
I asked you above to discuss the stimulus that you complained about. I doubt you understand it. Thus, why not leave these kinds of arguments off this board?
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Jerry, you have no idea who I am. But since you keep claiming that you know I’ll tell you. I’m against this illegal war. I’m pro-choice. I think everybody should get medical care even undocumented citizens. I’m against torture. I think pot should be legalized. I think George Bush is a semi-literate criminal who should be in jail. My view on the world is hard earned and true. I was injured in a car accident when I was 15. I broke my neck and spent an entire year in a hospital room with 3 Vietnam vets. 20 year old young men without arms or legs. So war isn’t a political game to me, it’s a harsh reality. I assume from your anger and attitude that you probably voted for Bush? Maybe twice? Well, I guess it’s everybody’s right to be ignorant and misinformed. Hell, who’d be watching Fox News if they weren’t? I made a simple comment about how I believed DTS was more interested in money than championships (which he is and you too I guess) and now you’ve got me pegged a commi liberal backing a socialist dictator bent on delivering unspeakable agendas like peace, integrity, morality and equal opportunity for those unlucky enough to be born into a free society. My God, what is this world coming to?
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I think the lakers run the rainbow triangle offense or the circle jerk..definitely one of the two.
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Just wondering if the Clippers might be able to pry Rudy Fernandez from the Blazers – story is he’s upset that the Blazers attempted to sign Turkoglu. His athleticism and 3 point shooting should open the floor for the Clips. Fernandez can start at 3 and shift to the 2 if needed. The question is, who can we trade for him?
RL Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Kaman for Fernandez?.. lol.
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Yeah, Oden and Kaman. I can just see them in a rap duet. Like BS said in his twitter, who know how old Turkalo really is.
Posted on July 4th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
clipsamba your a moron. comparing elton brand’s unathletic, pathetic post game to blake griffin’s is incomprehensible. maybe you just didn’t see much of griffin in college, but he is an absolute beast. very soon you will realize this and feel, appropriately, quite dumb for having made such an embarrassing, uneducated statement. granted your clippers will still be awful, but blake is the real deal. he is a true franchise cornerstone.
clipsamba Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Brand is Brand. He’s a special player. I don’t think GRIFFIN can even come close to Brand’s shooting & defense. Griffin might excell in shot blocking and rebounding skills.
Griffin has great attitude needed to succeed. No doubt he’s physically gifted just like Brand. Yes, Griifin is more relaxed & flexible musclewise.
Griifin seems like born to lead & win. Brand obviously didn’t have those instincts in him. I think that’s what seperates these two men.
Posted on July 5th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
What about signing Josh Childress? He lives in LA, can defend and shoot the 3 ball. Won’t have to give up anything
John Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Childress would be a good fit. Reportedly the Bucks are talking to him, if he opts out of his Euro contract the Hawks have the right to match any offer made to him.
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Ah, reason for SOFO not coming to the summer league:
from his site:
“My trip to the Las Vegas summer league will not take place, since FIBA has forbidden NBA teams to invite players that are under contract, regardless of the fact that they might have obtained their club’s consent, as was my case.”
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Lets sign Marbury right now. He has rejected the vet minimum the Celtics have offered. I think the Clips could get him for half of the mid-level. We need insurance in case Baron gets hurt or plays like sh…
RL Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I’d rather the Clippers play 4on5 before we sign Marbury.. yikes..
bongstradamus Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Seriously, you dont sign Marbury unless you want to go the lottery. Every team he has played for loses. If he was on Boston all last season id have been surprised to even see them make the playoffs. Remember how much Phoenix changed after they traded Kidd for Marbury? The Nets started winning and Phoenix started losing. New York went from always being in the playoffs to never making them. The history on Marbury is wherever he plays, people lose. Even at the minimum or slightly over it, hes too much of a liability to team chemistry.
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Marbury is cancer for a team. We have cancer on are team already, Ricky Davis, we need to trade him. If their was a way to trade Ricky Davis for Rudy Fernandez that will be great!
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Again, What did Ricky Davis do? Are you blaming last season on his 5 game drug suspension?
Wow Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
You’re an idiot.
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Im thinking we should go after Shawn Marion in a sign and trade with Toronto. The 3 problem would be solved and we’ve got the salaries to match an outgoing deal plus that 7.5M from the Z-Bo deal.
Gordon for President Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
An easier, and cheaper way, would be to overpay Marion on a year deal. Throw 8,9, hell, even 10 million at him for 2009-2010. It’s win-win, he doesn’t affect our 2010 capspace and slots right in starting at the 3. He then gets an opportunity to increase his stock (not to mention being on a major market team everyone will be watching because of Blake Griffin), and he can parlay this season into a nice contract when far more teams will be willing to spend next offseason. I say do it.
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I like the idea of Marion joinning the team. This will push the idea of having a run and gun team.
D.han Reply:
July 7th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Don’t know if the clips will get Marion, but if the mavs and toronto need a third team for their deal, maybe we can get delfino.
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
All I saw from Ricky Davis last year was good cheerleading skills from the bench. He had two good games in the pre season vs Lakers and that euro team. He shot well, making 4 threes I believe against the Kings also.
I feel he can contribute in limited minutes. I am not against Ricky at all.
Posted on July 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
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