Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles tracks down Baron Davis during his travels. He delivers this message to the free agent class:
I’m writing this from Africa, a far cry from the 24-7 media updates on what’s known as the biggest and best free agency class in the history of the NBA. I can’t help but think about two summers ago, when I was making the decision to stay or leave from the Warriors. I came to LA to make an impact on the city, to help change the shape of another organization. I took the road less traveled. I left a team that was one win shy of the playoffs. I left a city that I had made a home. I left fans that were amazing. All to cause change, to start over again. I came to Los Angeles, hoping to rebuild and reignite a franchise.
It takes a lot of luck, talent, money, and strong leadership to have continued success in the NBA. I can say without a doubt that we’re on the right track. The franchise is moving into a younger more vibrant direction. The negative mindset is gone. I definitely don’t think I need to pitch anyone on the benefits that Los Angeles has to offer. Everybody knows its one of the best places in the world. And when it comes down to it, it shouldn’t be about the city anyway, [it's] about what you want to accomplish. If you truly are passionate about the game of basketball and want to accept the challenge, come join us. We have a young nucleus that has the tools to compete every night, and I can’t name another franchise whose fans have kept faith and supported their team like Clipper Nation has supported us…
To read the entire letter, please visit Shelburne’s story here.
79 Responses
Man, those are some good words. I feel real encouraged. Not at a basketball level, but just at a human level to know that Baron Davis is humbled and able to write pretty eloquently.
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Very well put. Maybe 2010-11 is the season where Baron proves everyone, including Clippers fans, wrong? I didn’t think his past season was too shabby.
NRM Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
I agree with you here. He proved that he is still one of the better pgs in the league. Not worth his salary, but provin that boom dizzle is still there.
Curtis Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:43 am
I still have full support for Baron. He puts up a lot of junk 3pts, but he also made a few clutch ones. Nonetheless, he’s recognizing where his range is, and I still believe the best is yet to come.
C’mon Baron, don’t make me look like a jack ass; put us in the playoffs.
mark jarnot Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Blake Griffin has never played one minute in the NBA, and he pretty much couldnt make a layup in college. Baron davis……shave your beard and get a real job! As for the rest of the Clippers star players…….oh yeah they have none!! Maybe Lebron will go there….and maybe george muresan will make a riumphant return to the Nba and win the mvp next year too!!! Nothing worse than a Clippers fan with nothing better to do than sit around and speculate what ifs!!!!!!!
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Man, I love boom dizzle and always have. Screw anyone who claims that we should “dump” this man.
I said it from day one and I will still say it now, Baron Davis is not the PROBLEM for this franchise, he is the SOLUTION
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
can we trade baron to indiana?
i heard they are desperately looking for a veteran point guard.
can we PLEASE get danny granger? PLEEEEAASSEEEEE….
Davis/ Kaman FOR Granger/ Murphy. PLEEEEEAAAASEEEE….
Richard W. Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 4:23 am
That’s NUTS!! Those guys couldn’t even get the Pacers into the playoffs in the East.. C’mon Son!! lol
JaySee Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:40 am
Denver will trade Carmelo if he doesn’t sign the extension offer. Davis + Kaman for Anthony + Lawson + Anderson.
Robert Lehrer Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:13 pm
JaySee, you’re thinking with your heart, not your head. Why in God’s name would the Nuggets give up Melo + Lawson + Anderson for Davis & Kaman?
First and foremost, Melo by himself is more valuable than Kaman & Davis combined. And you want the Nuggets to add Lawson and Birdman into the deal?
Are you just fantasizing or do you believe that the Nuggets are that stupid?
Chandler Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
the nuggets gave us camby for free.
they are stupid.
@JaySee – melo would be my first choice… honestly speaking, but i REALLY like granger…
@Richard W – those two couldn’t get the pacers into the playoffs in the east, but look at who’s around them… i can barely name their starting five… or even any of their bench players. with the young core and adding granger/ melo in the mix instead of baron and kaman it would be much better than the clippers RIGHT NOW, or even Indiana…
I have to admit though, granger and melo won’t be able to lead the team… they need a veteran like chauncy at point to root the team. MAYBe… they’ll throw in chauncy as well?
JaySee Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Denver wants to trade Melo because they will get nothing next year. Denver has to throw in other players to make the money work. This trade actually works for Denver. They get an arguably better PG and strengthen their front court. Nene and Kaman together.
Chandler Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:24 pm
also… Richard W.
Talk is cheap, and baron is obviously full of it.
Baron and Kaman couldn’t bring us into the playoffs as well… of course its harder to get into the playoffs in the east, but granger and murphy i think would just flat out TRY harder than these two…
Respect Griffin Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 2:07 pm
man, your an idiot. Stop hating on Baron
Chandler Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 4:16 pm
^^V
JaySee Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:18 am
I like it! It makes sense for both teams, but you have to throw in a overpaid junk player like Brandon Rush in to make the money work.
Pacers will get the PG and C they need. They drafted 2 swing men, so they’ll relieve the log jam they created at the 2/3.
Clips will get a good SF and another CONSISTENT rebounder that can play the 4/5 and shoot 3s.
PG Bledsoe/Walter
SG Gordon/Rush
SF Granger/AFA
PF Griffin/Sofo
C Murphy/Jordan
There can be so many different lineups with these players. Griffin can play 3/4. AFA 3/4. Murphy 4/5. Jordan 4/5. Sofo 4/5. AFA 3/4.
Then maybe sign Blake to backup the back court and we got 13 that can make the playoffs with cap room.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:24 am
It would have been nice if Baron could be here to say this to those guys personally instead of in written form.. Smh..
NRM Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 10:02 am
well he is in africa…
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 4:25 am
Lotta irony in that letter.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 7:46 am
Hoopshype says Joe Johnson is going to accept the Hawks offer. Gooden is going to the bucks. Not off to a good start.
mmoore500 Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:49 am
This is a great start. JJ isn’t worth the money. Gooden is terrible.
FD Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:06 am
Yeah, I wouldn’t pay gooden that either.
Josh Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:18 am
There is a reason Drew Gooden changes teams every 6 months. He’s the anti-Camby. Always clueless on defense.
Qlippers Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
Wheww!!! 6yrs 119mil for JJ, that’s a lot!!
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 8:03 am
Gooden gets 32 million from bucks. That’s one free agent down and plenty to go .
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 8:12 am
Hopefully this means he’ll show up in shape and play hard since it’ll be REAL TOUGH to trade him.
Let’s hope Kaman DOESN’T write an open letter. His insane mind will scare away all the FAs. Trade ‘em while you can!
FD Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:13 am
Kaman is busy putting together his 4th of July fireworks show. I doubt he’ll mess with things.
raptor33 Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
But wouldn’t it be fun just to read an open letter from Kaman? I think it would be more interesting than his youtube videos. lol
Qlippers Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:23 am
This a great idea, we need to explore this option. I imagine Kaman’s letter with cut out words from different magazines like a serial killer.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 8:21 am
I agree, great words from Baron. But as my Grandpa used to say “You can show me better than you tell me” Go Clips!!!!!!!!!
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 8:27 am
I understand that a lot of ppl want BD traded, but the reality he’s the only high profile FA that signed with the clippers. He’s the main person who can sell the team to outsiders.
Thank God, DTS is not going to be at the Lebron meeting
raptor33 Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:15 am
good point
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 8:49 am
Baron Davis is talking a bunch of bull. The Clippers organization is the worst to play for. Donald Sterling will not spend the money and doesn’t care a about winning. Baron Davis played hard his last year with the warriors to get the new contract. Baron wanted to come to LA for his own reasons to make films. His game sucked this year & the organization. The Clippers need a GM to add some creditability. The Clippers have no Cred. They need to hire Jerry West for $3 Mill and guarantee free agents might entertain the Clippers. Baron, miss with that jive brother.
Qlippers Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:21 am
Hiring Jerry West from his stint as a successful GM in Memphis? All he’ll do is trade Blake Griffin, Aminu and EJ for Sasha, Adam Morrison and a 2nd round pick from the lakers.
mario1p Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 10:28 am
y so much hate the organization is actually trying for once. wait it out first
benwah_benyameen Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 3:36 pm
jerry west would never work for the clippers. his close friend fellow laker elgin baylor is suing the clips remember? jerry west is 100% loyal and would not even piss on dts for $3 mil.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:10 am
http://www.Twitter.com/GregAntoine (you may follow me on twitter) Baron should stick to playing basketball. Until they get a GM & respectable coach then the clippers are second citizens. Donald Sterling is cheap & he want spend the doe.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:19 am
GA
What are you doing on this blog.? You not what you are talking about. Pat Riley was not a coach when he started coaching The Lakers, Phil Jackson was not a “respectable” coach when he started coaching Michael Jordan.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:29 am
Well, I have been rightfully hard on Baron. His game the last two years has been largely total crap. His shot selection is often offensive to paying customers and his teammates. When focused, and playing the right way, he can be very effective. He has rarely been since joining the Clippers.
That being said, he has always seemed like a decent, intelligent guy. Here’s hoping he has a great season if he’s on the Clippers, and more importantly, he helps draw attention to, and helps foster positive change in the parts of the world that most need it.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:32 am
Lou, do you believe in black/white and history. It’s in black and white the clippers never hired a great coach. It’s history the clippers will not get the prize free agents in the last 15 years. Man, I’m not hating on the Clips but the need a GM like Jerry West to add some CRED. Do you really thing Lebron James will give his legacy to a tired owner like Donald Sterling. Come on man, smell the coffee.
FD Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 10:15 am
When the Dunce was hired, I think he was the 3rd highest paid coach in the league. They’ve also had Larry Brown.
FD Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 10:16 am
Sorry, not when he was hired, but his extension.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:45 am
To Josh: You’re a smart guy. Baron Davis game has sucked since he came from the Warriors. I will add to what you wrote: He’s on his last leg and he has two or three years on his contract. He could care less. I like Baron as a person and his game with Golden State. Man, you couldn’t give me a ticket to go see Baron however at Golden State; I would spend some cheese to see him.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:47 am
Why don’t the Clippers go after Kevin Pritchard from Portland for GM and Jeff Van Gundy as head coach? I don’t hear anything about either of those guys…
JaySee Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 10:59 am
Our current GM is doing great so far according to critics.
JVG apparently isn’t interested in coaching for any of the teams.
TKO Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 11:09 am
GM – Thats good to hear. I just made that comment cuz Neil Olshey was hired as interim, and I haven’t heard since then that he had been made permanent.
Coach – Thats too bad. I thought I heard that JVG was interested in coaching again, and I’d vastly prefer him over Vinny Del Negro or Dwayne Casey.
Bongstradamus Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Its not that he isnt interested. JVG definitely wants to coach. He likes doing TV, he gets the free time he doesnt get as a coach. In order to get JVG to come back to the bench, someone needs to give him a great offer. All the teams looking for coaches arent willing to spend. Look at Phil Jackson…hes even being asked to take a pay cut. The hands-down best coach in the game is being asked to coach for half his rate.
For the right price, JVG can be had. The question then becomes: Who’s willing to pay? As we have seen elsewhere…not many.
JClipper Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I didn’t know that Neil Olshey was hired as an interim. I thought he was promoted to take over GM duties permanently.
RAM Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 11:15 am
Because we have a very frugal owner. He wants to make money. not win Championships.
Qlippers Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 11:28 am
Because JVG is happy doing TV. He gets fined by Stern as a commentator, imagine as a coach. He’ll set the all time record for fines
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
Sofo news from his website http://www.bigsofo.gr/site/index.php :
“after the first days of July when the teams acquire the said right according to law.
Sophocles will be participating at the same time in the Clippers’ practice sessions under the guidance of his personal trainer Kostas Chatzichristos. “
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 10:37 am
That is way too much money for Joe Johnson. He might be worth a large contract for 3 years tops, definitely not 6. If the Hawks want to overspend that drastically they can keep him.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 10:41 am
I read that Cattino Mobley wants to make a come back. If I was the Clippers I would give him another look.
kenji Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
i read that cutino says he’s healthy. his heart condition is the same as reggie lewis and hank gathers. I don’t understand how he could now claim to be healthy. Its not condition that can be cured, just treated. if he were to collapse during a game, the organization would never live it down for putting back in the nba.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 11:30 am
Dan
It already qualifies as one of the worst free-agent contracts ever.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Beautifully written essay by Baron. Unfortunately, his bark is often stronger than his bite. Baron says all the right things but that doesn’t always translate to his own performance on the court.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Let’s hope that the Clips don’t sign Cat for his sake. The Clipper Curse would probably hit him and we’d have another Hank Gathers scenario at Staples Center.
I’m curious as to why Cat is suddenly willing to take his chances at playing. Didn’t he say two years ago that his doctors told him that it was too great of a medical risk for him to play professional basketball? I’m not sure if the NBA will even allow him to play with that kind of medical prognosis.
kenji Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:24 pm
i second that.
IF the nba would allow him to come back, he’d probably he uninsurable with his heart condition since he would be on a brand new contract. way too risky for cat, and for the clipper organization.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Gay and Johnson seem to be off the market now. Lakers are looking to sign Steve Blake.
Hopefully Pierce won’t resign with Boston and the Clippers have a shot.
kenji Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:41 pm
i doubt it now that doc rivers said he’ll be coaching. pierce loves doc, and always talks about wanting to be among the best celtics ever. i don’t think he’ll leave boston.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
rudy gay reported re-signing to memphis. Joe johnson getting max offer from hawks.
what happens to us now??
kenji Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
although, i never wanted rudy gay to join the clippers.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Gay got a max deal worth $81.6 million for 5 years. Mem. pay to much.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
People are going crazy with free agents. Gay is not a max player by any stretch. Johnson has only had one season where he put up max player stats and it wasn’t last season. Seems like we might get left out of the free agent bonanza this year but that might not be a bad thing as many teams will be saddled with terrible contracts.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Joe Johnson is not worth that much… the Hawks aren’t going anywhere either. The players don’t even like each other on that team, and JJ ain’t a leader by any stretch of the imagination.
I say we go for Lebron, if that doesn’t work, keep the cap space open and buy off horrible contracts for first round picks.
Lets keep the 21 and under development in progress
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 2:14 pm
where is everyone hearing of this cuttino mobley comeback?? can someone please let me know
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Hedo says Lebron to the Clippers:
“For LeBron James and others, I don’t have any information about guys’ choices. But if I have to make a guess, I think LeBron will choose the Clippers.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/category/_/name/free-agent-reports
At least someone doesn’t count them out.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
The article that states Cuttino Mobley hopes to come back :
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/06/30/2010-06-30_exknick_cuttino_mobley_says_he_has_clean_bill_of_health_hopes_to_return_to_nba_a.html
mario1p Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:29 am
thanks
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I’d resign Cat in a heartbeat.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
is the Clipper fans really falling for Davis’s B.S ??? He talks a good game…thats it….
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Hopefully Cat would have alot of heartbeats, I think the Clips have a chance for Lebron,but if not, I’d go after hakim warrick,like ridnour,and t-mac as a 6th man.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 8:51 pm
YES BARON! Now THAT is a sales pitch that any big name free agent who is truly focused on winning, will appreciate.
If any of you fellow Clippers fans have NBA free agency questions you that want answered, than send them in for a special NotinHD.com Summer of LeBron ‘Got Mail?’ column.
Nothing is out of bounds. See if your question/comment cracks the column…
benbates.notinhd@gmail.com
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 11:43 pm
What a crock!
Posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
im a die hard clippers fan living in rhode island where cuttino mobley went to college, and as much as i would like to see him still playing…..i think that is the last thing the clippers nedd is him taking up playing time from all of the young talent this team has.
Posted on July 5th, 2010 at 8:21 am
if anybody from URI needs to come back to the clippers its Lamar Odom.
Posted on July 5th, 2010 at 8:21 am
why isnt anyone considering boozer or korver into the clipper nucleus i have faith in blake’s skill level but its still unclear on how many min. pg or games he will play this year before he gets hurt god forbid……….. boozer on the other hand gives you 110% and is fairly reliable all year long…. just throwing my 2 cents in
Posted on July 6th, 2010 at 3:40 am
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