At ESPN Los Angeles, I file a brief on behalf of the Clippers for LeBron James’ services. Some excerpts:
James shares some culpability for Cleveland’s embarrassing Eastern Conference semifinals loss to Boston, but James didn’t fail a test of character nor did he fall victim to a civic curse. The loss to Boston was a basketball failure. If James wants to remedy that, he’ll look at the candidates for his services and make a quantitative basketball decision based with a single question in mind: Which team has the best supporting cast to maximize his talents?
…For reasons that range from the historical to the theoretical, the Los Angeles Clippers have been removed from the list by most observers. Yet, the Clippers’ primary assets — a strong foundation at four positions and the financial flexibility — have never been more relevant to the discussion of James’ future. We’ve learned that James is human, that if surrounded by mediocre talent, his team will produce less-than-desired results. For James to win a championship, a few essential ingredients on the floor are required. From a basketball standpoint, the Clippers can give James what he needs.
No other team in pursuit of James has a better 2-through-5 set at the four other spots on the floor.
James’ four teammates would include two guys younger than him in Griffin and Gordon, and two older veterans in Davis and Kaman. James would be the true fulcrum of a complete starting unit that can dominate on the glass, guard the perimeter (and excel defensively overall under the right coach), run in transition and pick defenses apart in the half court both inside and out.
Behind that starting five, the Clippers will have another top-10 draft pick and curio DeAndre Jordan in development, along with a few vets who will happily accept the minimum to play in Los Angeles behind James.
The most important question a Clippers team composed of James, Davis, Gordon, Griffin and Kaman will pose to opposing coaches is this: Who are you going to leave to help on LeBron?
James’ addition would allow Kaman to return to the low block, where he’s most efficient. Opponents have to guard James so tightly on the perimeter that Kaman will pick up a couple of opportunities per game just by being under the glass or along the baseline inside of 15 feet.
Gordon won’t have to force the issue, as he started doing when the Clips desperately needed a bucket last season, which was often. Instead, the third-year guard can settle into being a lethal weak side threat alongside two phenomenal passers who know where to find him.
Griffin is a natural force and a much better option for James than a stretch-4 who can’t stretch or guard. Stoudemire was the right fit for the Cavs at the deadline. James would get many of Stoudemire’s assets with Griffin, a dedicated kid who will be eager and willing to sculpt his game around James and defend as if his life depends on it.
Skeptics might ask what about Davis? Is he willing to sublimate his ego to become the second (or even third) banana? Davis has already tacitly recognized that, on the other side of 30, he’s no longer a No. 1 option for a successful NBA team. He moderated his shot selection somewhat in 2009-10, an adjustment that lifted his efficiency numbers even as his usage rate dropped to its lowest level since 2002-03. He’d love nothing more than to graduate into a Jason Kidd-like role provided he has a closer he can pass to.
The loss to Boston taught James and the rest of us that breadth and depth of talent are far more important to a team’s success than anything else. That doesn’t mean James and his advisors are wrong to consider things like endorsement potential, livability, the voraciousness of the local press corps, proximity to Akron, ownership or a franchise’s historical legacy in the decision-making process.
But if James is truly interested in surrounding himself with four teammates who have a full range of talents to complement his game and embody a smart mix of youth and experience, he’d be short-sighted not to give the Clippers a very, very close look.
The story includes some more specific basketball arguments. You can read it in its entirety here.
46 Responses
way to represent Kevin!…i doubt we get him, but you make a hell of a case…
Clippad Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Clippers have been running their commercial on ABC during Laker games. And it’s for real because we have never seen STERLING spending that much money until now. They’re sending a clear message to national audience. Something is cooking.
Don’t know what it is.
Drew Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
They ran a similar commercial last year during the playoffs on ABC- it was a commercial of Novak’s game winner though instead of Baron’s this year. I’m not sure if it is just for local markets or not, but it still is nice to see the money being spent.
Shawn H. Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
It was local, seen only on KABC Channel 7…they’ve been airing Clipper ads during games ever since ABC got the NBA. I mean, it could be seen nationally, as DirecTV carries the L.A. and N.Y.C. network stations for those who can’t get their local stations. Add in the fact that Channel 7 is the most watched English-language station in town, lots of people can see those Clippers ads…they usually don’t elsewhere except on the local FSNs.
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
The thing we have over any other team in the league right now is that we have a very concrete proposal for James, with the exception of Chicago. But even then, I’d argue we have a larger market and a stronger core. Whereas other teams’ proposals are on the basis that they have a lot of cap space and a top ten draft pick. That doesn’t even mean they’ll attract other super stars or land John Wall or Evan Turner.
I’m probably pretty biased and I don’t think we’ll land LeBron, but I do believe that we are the best suitors for him.
As always, great write up Kevin.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 12:38 am
i completely agree with everything in the article. I feel that the biggest issue though, is not the fact the we’re the Clippers (baggage and history), but the fact that we’re in the western conference. It seems to me that whenever there’s a good FA available, they go to the east because its weaker. IMO the last good FA that went from east to west was boozer.
But hey, I can always dream.
BTW, Clipper Darrell wants a Lebron parade at LA Live on May 27th at 3PM. ILL BE THERE!
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 3:26 am
excellent write-up, kevin. im glad that someone has finally fleshed out the case for the clips like this. looks great.
all for that parade, lets get some more publicity, show some unity, and show the media that we’re going to make an effort.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Is the west really stronger? If it is, for how long? Let’s say Kobe has 3 more good years in him. Doesn’t the west, in general, seem much older than the east?
And, aren’t there more “superstars” type players in the west? Roy, okc, Amare, Evans, v Bosh, Wade, Dwight, Jennings, Atl…
Maybe the west (with the clips) gets him to a championship sooner, despite sharing the limelight with the lakers.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Is the west really stronger? If it is, for how long? Let’s say Kobe has 3 more good years in him. Doesn’t the west, in general, seem much older than the east?
And, aren’t there more “superstars” type players in the west? Roy, okc, Amare, Evans, v Bosh, Wade, Dwight, Jennings, Atl…
Maybe the west (with the clips) gets him to a championship sooner, despite sharing the limelight with the lakers.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Great article Kevin. Can you be sure Lebron reads it!!!!!!!!!!! First step to a good summer, tomorrows draft lottery. Go Clips
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 9:20 am
It’s obviously not as strong of a western conference as say 2 years ago, but every team sure has to scrap to get to the playoffs. in the east, i think every team is one piece short of making the playoffs, whereas houston, memphis, N.O., LAC, and even the D-league warriors may be perennial playoff teams in the east
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Thanks for the great article, Kevin.
Lebron’s decision will tell us a lot about him and his motivations.
You can’t blame the guy for looking another direction because of DS, but our roster combined with the LA market make as good of an argument for us as for anyone.
/Doubt the east/west thing will be an issue
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I think LeBron has the best chance of winning an NBA title in the West conference, he’s been in the league for what? 7 years yet still no ring, even with arguably the deepest team this year. So if it doesn’t work out in East, why not give it a try in West? (See Shaq for example, moving from East to West and eventually got ring and started the dynasty).
As for the coach, why not Phil Jackson?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/392162-forget-a-pippen-lebron-needs-a-phil-jackson
“Nice. Phil Jackson. The coach that helps players that have been struggling their entire career. The coach that brings championships. Jordan struggles with Pistons, enter Phil and problem solved. Shaq struggling with Utah and SA, enter Phil and problem solved. Kobe struggling to reach the playoffs, enter Phil and problem solved. James?”
The Lakers want him to take a pay cut but he won’t do it, and I’m sure Jackson still wants to get a few more rings, so I guess Jackson will go wherever the best player go, in this case, LeBron (hopefully Clippers). 1 thing for sure, if he decides to sign with the Clippers, he doesn’t have to worry about home, package his stuffs etc.
This is what his girlfriend, Jeannie Buss said about Jackson’s future
“I know Phil will be coaching next year, somewhere. Whether it’s here or someplace else, I don’t know,” she said. “There’s going to be a lot of good jobs that come up this summer.”
Last but not the least, LeBron likes money, and if he wants to be an actor, Hollywood is better than the Big Apple.
Go to Clippers, King of Hollywood!
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 10:17 am
There are rumors on hoopshype:
“NBA power broker William Wesley is trying to sell John Calipari and LeBron James as a package deal to teams with coaching vacancies and salary cap room”
I’m not saying the Clippers will get him, but odds are looking better for LeBron coming here than before the playoffs.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Tomorrow is a big day for us Clippers and for Lebron. If we can land a top 3 pick we should be his #1 choice. But if New Jersey lands #1 then with their ability to sign 2 max players and the #1 pick makes for a good case for Lebron there… it’s unfortunate because that is the likely scenario come tomorrow. I will have trouble thinking about anything except the lottery for the next 30 hours.
Drew Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I agree…the team that lands wall and already has cap space definitely improves its case for Lebron coming since he has made it known he likes Wall’s game and I believe he is friends with Wall.
Tomorrow cant come soon enough!
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Hopefully Lebron is smart enough to look past the “historical baggage” and look at the ridiculous starting five that his addition would make.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Anybody know who got the “Bring LeBron to LA parade” going? It’s actually getting a lot of press.
Clipper Derrick Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Never mind … Clipper Darrell. I guess I should have finished reading the last article I had up.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
From your mouth to God’s ears, Kevin…
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
This was a great read, its sad that there’s so many haters over at ESPN not wanting to see Lebron in Clippers uniform. But we’ll see.. I do beleive we have the best assets to offer from those teams that can afford him.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
KA: From your lips (er, keyboard) to God’s (er, the King’s) ears!
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
I think the Clips are Lebron’s Best Option for SURE!! Aside from Rose (Who needs the ball in his hands to be at his best) the Bulls don’t have the pieces to Win a Title.. Also their franchise wouldn’t be mistaken for The Spurs since the Jordan Years either.. Lol..
I can’t wait for this Parade on the 27th.. CLIPPER NATION STAND UP!!!
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
i’m not very optimistic… and i wont get my hopes up either… it’s more fun to talk about than anything…
my season tickets will double in value…
friends will actually want to come to games with me
a milwaukee bucks game will still be a big event
playoffs every year
clippers become a worldwide brand
donald sterling doubles the franchise value
laker fans will be jealous (in a year or two)
eric gordon will become an all-star
baron davis would be revitalized
no more gimme losses to San Antonio and Utah
water main breaks wont be the talk of the season
ETC…
Lawler's Law Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
you mean the Bucks game aren’t big deals already!!???
Josh Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Your season tickets will double in cost, too.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Please reserve two seats, one for Billy Crystal (eternal Clipper Fans) and one for the Jacko, no matter what he is a Laker fan, he is a BB Fan.
ESPN does not like the idea to have LBJ in the West Coast, they need a strong East Coast Front.
jgroove Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
When Chris Bosh goes to Miami to be with Wade they’ll have it. When Amare goes to NY with Joe Johnson they’ll have it…
Should I continue?
Stars are dwindling and aging in the West and Carmello doesn’t get ratings.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Who you gonna leave to help Lebron? Simple: It doesn’t matter. None of these guys you put alongside Lebron are proven playoff performers. You could make some similar argument for the Cavs’ current team right now, but when left alone, high-scoring guys like Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison haven’t gotten anything done. There’s nothing that shows me that Gordon, Davis, Kaman, or Griffin will get it done deep in the playoffs. Lebron doesn’t want to wait for Griffin or Gordon to mature and learn to play playoff basketball, he wants to win now. Clipper fans should stop dreaming.
Newtybar Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Despite his tone…I think he is pretty much on point.
ghost_ride Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
For what it’s worth, all four of these guys have been known to draw double teams. Kaman’s no stranger to triple teams.
ghost_ride Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Mo Williams v.s. Baron Davis – BD obviously has more talent, but could be close.
??? v.s. Eric Gordon – Gordon’s a no brainer
Hickson/Jamison v.s. Blake Griffin – Blake Griffin in a landslide
Shaq/Z v.s. Kaman/DeAndre – Kaman/DeAndre have time & talent on their side
The Clippers will be better than Cleveland at every position by far, and w/ BD & Kaman having playoff experience. Whether or not you like Gordon or Griffin, they look every bit like playoff talent and are mature beyond their years.
A lot of people thought the Clippers would be a force with Elton Brand & Baron Davis. While that never happened, this proposed team has the potential to be ridiculously good. Even w/out LBJ we’ll be excited if we can snag one of the top Small Forward’s in the draft.
FD Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Lebron would need to bring another free agent with him to the Clippers. Griffin isn’t proven and who knows what he’ll be like after the injury. Gordon regressed and Baron is getting older. Shaq could have averaged the same numbers as Kaman this season.
Lebron needs to team up with Wade.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
cant wait for lottery. but if clippers get a top 3 pick then they dont have max money to offer lebron. if clippers win lottery thatd be tight but it means no lebron. but ill take wall, davis, gordon, sool maybe cuz hes FA, griffin, and kaman. but i know 1 thing, you cant win ith kaman as your number 1 option. just cant happen. but im begging for LBJ and would still be stoked if we get wall and no lebron. it would be like a young thunder team minus the scoring champion.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Nothing would excite me more than for LeBron to come to the Clips, but excuse me for shedding some light on the situation, but it ain’t happening. Newsflash – our owner sucks. Even the ownership in DC is more positive in Sterling. We need to be a tad more realistic. I’d aim for Rudy Gay or even a sign and trade Bosh for Kaman. Bosh would be a great compliment to Griffin and DeAndre and it’s the best the Raps are gonna get in a sign in trade.
Posted on May 17th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Hey Kevin,
John Hollinger says that Baron Davis is the worst possible fit for Lebron James…
The worst: Baron Davis
The Los Angeles Clippers want to sell James on the quality of the four players they already have in place, but the best of the bunch (Davis) could hardly be less suited to playing with him. A stubborn ball-dominator who shoots erratically, Davis’ TS% (50.1) was among the worst of NBA stars. Spotting up on the weak side from James, he’d be more than happy to hoist 3s and, unfortunately, that’s a problem, since he converts so few of them.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insi…ngs_holli nger
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Anyone who doesn’t think the Clippers are not Lebron best option Basketball wise is Smokin that good! Lol.. Miami??? C’mon Son!! Chicago??? No Way!! The Clippers have a Top 5 Center in Kaman, A Knock Down Shooter/Slasher in Gordon, A more Efficient Baron, and Oh Yeah, they Still have last years #1 Pick in Blake Griffin PLUS another Top 10 Pick This Year!! Also, are people forgetting about the guys the Clippers have Bird rights on as well?? Steve Blake, Rasaul Butler, Craig Smith, Travis Outlaw etc… This is a NO BRAINER!! Lol
Ray Sossamon Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 8:40 am
what about Kobe & the Lakers? Lebron doesnt have the guts to come to LA and fight them-simple as that
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Noone has mentioned KOBE! Lebron knows if the his first season with the Clippers goes bad he will be torched in the media and Lebron doesnt have the guts for this-He would never win in LA-The Clippers would make the play-offs but thats all-no titles ever- He should go to Miami but again he wont-Jackson is getting too old to start up another team he will stay in LA-Lebron will stay in Cleveland-after the draft he might move to New Jersey or Chicago but most likely he will stay in Cleveland and either way he will never win a title unless he goes to Miami and I dont think he really cares if he does win a title-If he goes to Cleveland-Chicago or NJ everyone will make alot of money but not titles! Lebron is a great player to be sure but he just doent care about the game-He cares about “Lebron” and MONEY!
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 8:37 am
our best chance would be to change our logo, jerseys revamp the whole Clippers franchise and then we might be able to lure a top free agent
until then we will probably have to settle for the lower tier free agents
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I strongly disagree with this statement from the article:
“Skeptics might ask what about Davis? Is he willing to sublimate his ego to become the second (or even third) banana? Davis has already tacitly recognized that, on the other side of 30, he’s no longer a No. 1 option for a successful NBA team. He moderated his shot selection somewhat in 2009-10, an adjustment that lifted his efficiency numbers even as his usage rate dropped to its lowest level since 2002-03.”
Davis told a bunch of reporters near the end of the season that — paraphrasing here but the the gist is correct — he wanted to be the big shot next year. He said his first season was Dunleavy’s thing, and this last season was about Kaman, and next year he wanted it to be about him and that he wanted to show what he could do when he was allowed “to roam” (which I guess means run and gun and do whatever he wants).
His shot selection was just as atrocious this last season as it was in his first season. His three point percentage was even worse than his first year and it was terrible then. His overall shooting percentage was also among the worst of the point guards.
The Clippers are always trying to fool people into thinking Davis isn’t as bad as he is, but the undeniable statistical truth is that he’s atrocious. Thinking otherwise is a pipe dream.
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
OK, Boys and Girls. You have convinced me. I will tell the Cavs goodbye very soon and see you in LA! Can’t wait to challenge Kobe on his home turf. Happy Days are here again!
PS: Should I bring Shaq with me? I can convince him to play for the minimum
Posted on May 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I agree that the personnel in place here would be the best of any other situation for Lebron , but the Sterling factor is just too strong for Lebron to even consider coming to the Clips. He’s without a doubt the worst owner in all of sports, and Lebron certainly knows this.
Posted on May 19th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
EVeryone is missing one key point….who would want to play with Baron Davis? One of the league’s most selfosh players…you can almost here him saying, this is my team and Lebron will have to adapt to me. Baron has never displayed the will, fortitude, or desire to be a champion, nor with Lebron’s passing skills is he needed. When Lebron is controlling the offense Baron will be sulking and soon enough sitting out with his bad back. Can also imagine Lebron telling Andy, get rid of Baron and I will consider the Clippers.
Posted on May 19th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
ok here we go … the clips have plenty of cap space and the eighth pick in this years draft a new practice facility and the LA market, stuff we already know. what we dont know is who will be the clippers head coach next ? and who will be the next key free agent lured to the staples center ? ok i’m willing to say that in years past sterling as far as owners go was one of the worst.. maybe even the worst ever… ok but the la raiders who have al davis similar problems have recently made a turnaround.. so true are the clippers at least in my opinion things are getting better but it starts with a new head coach . please lets give the clipper fans something to be happy about . lets go clipper brain trust get it right for once and lets turn this thing around and bring a championship to the clippers and its fan base and then sign Le Bron or whoever is willing to take a chance and maybe even a chance of a lifetime…. Go Clippers, fan since 1985
Posted on May 24th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
It just seems logical as hell for me. There are no better four players in different positions then in the Clippers, and if you throw in the best small forward in the world, it’s automatically an elite team
Posted on May 24th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
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