Summer league isn’t about winning games. It’s all about player progression, deciphering strengths and weaknesses, and evaluating what you currently have and what you may get in the future. With that said, it still must have been nice for the young Clippers to hold on to a win tonight, especially after Vinny Del Negro reamed them earlier in the day at practice for a lack of effort in their first two games.
You could tell the energy was much better right from the get-go when the Clips jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead to start the game. Portland answered with a 9-0 run of their own, something that seems unusual but probably won’t be going forward. Young players typically ride waves of confidence and momentum much more so than veterans, and considering the Clippers youth, big peaks and valleys are probably going to present themselves quite a bit.
Al-Farouq Aminu isn’t a good shooter or scorer at this point in his career, but he showed a few glimpses of how he can contribute outside of a halfcourt offense. What was most impressive about Aminu tonight was his abiltiy to leak out and constantly beat his man up the floor in transition. If there are any concerns about Aminu being able to hack it should the pace pickup, there shouldn’t be. He’ll pick up a few charges because he’s a little predictable in his moves at the rim, but Aminu has a really good sense of staying wide, filling the lane, and then attacking right at the rim.
Dean Demopoulos experimented a bit by starting Marqus Blakely at the small forward and Aminu at the power forward, and the pairing worked well together. Blakely is an incredible athlete, and his energy and quickness on the defensive end helped speed up the defensive rotations all night. On offense Blakely knocked down one top of the key three and finished the evening as the leading scorer with 14 points. Blakely has a training camp invite already secured and has the tantalizing athleticism that will warrant him a solid look prior to the season.
Eric Bledsoe’s stats weren’t flashy (9 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds) but it was his most solid game yet. The Blazers threw a variety of traps and full-court pressure at the young guard, but he handled himself pretty well. Bledsoe wasn’t scoring much, but he only committed three turnovers, a far cry from his first two games in Vegas. He’s already shown his explosiveness off the bounce, but we hadn’t seen if he could run an offense and take care of the ball until he did it tonight.
Every summer we arrive at this question, but it’s a little more realistic now then it was in the past.
Should the Clippers be a running team?
It’s too early to know for sure, but Aminu and Bledsoe certainly looked like they belonged when they were on the move tonight. Aminu often pushed the ball up the floor with his dribble and attacked the basket, making one very good change of direction and finish with his left-hand and another hanging baseline layup after the foul. Bledsoe is nearly impossible to stay in front of with a head of steam behind him, and even though he almost always looks to score, he had a beautiful baseline dump off in an up-tempo situation to DeAndre Jordan for a big dunk. Intricate half-court sets may be foreign to these guys right now, but up-and-down basketball? That comes easy.
With Aminu, Bledsoe, and Griffin, the Clippers have three guys who appear to have offensive games that work best at a high speed. If Baron Davis and Vinny Del Negro both really want to run, they’ll have no shortage of pieces to utilize in that sort of setting.
58 Responses
This group needed a win badly. Nice to see them grind it out.
[Reply]
Posted on July 15th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
D.J., I didn’t know that the Clippers hired Dean Demopoulos. Is he simply coaching the Summer League team or has he become a part of Vinny’s coaching staff for the season?
If so, that’s good news for Clipper defense.
[Reply]
eddie mack Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:30 am
part of his staff
[Reply]
Posted on July 15th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Jordan’s low post game was decent… Good work DJ
[Reply]
Martin Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 9:46 am
After two seasons, it seems that some people are giving up on Jordan and claiming that he has no room for improvement. Its easy to overlook that he is only 21 years old…Hes still a kid, and a goofy one at that (I’m basing this on his video blogs). I believe his skills will improve as he matures in the next couple of years.
Go DeAndre!
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 7:03 am
lol, baron’s big booty is gonna have to hustle this year keeping up with these kids.
hAHhaHAhHAahHAhahHahhAH!
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 7:43 am
are u sure u have that right, i believe aminu started at SF and Blakely at PF. And i think aminu showed if he is aggressive he can get his own shot if he wants, and he can finish with contact. Not to mention his outside perimeter shot has a nice form. What i saw is that it will all come down to if he reacts and doesnt second guess everything. In addition, aminu shut down Luke Babbitt for the most part of the game as well. Sure all of our players only showed glimpses with a play here or a play there but even Deandre Jordan showed he’s been working on his footwork, and for the most part of the game was making his free throws.
And just like you said its all about player progression, and i think that is what they did yesterday. Each player figured out something that was wrong with their game and took it upon themselves to change and it worked for all of them. That is something that is very valuable and cant be taught…self-reflection and adaptation on their own individual games.
[Reply]
SamMays Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Aninu played PF last night.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 8:42 am
They definitely played much better but I am wondering if the coaching staff will at least try to get Sofos the ball down down low. It seems like he can do some damage inside but he only touched the ball like twice the whole game! Isn’t summer league about evaluating talent? How will they know what they have in Sofos if the guy never gets to touch the ball? Do you think this is something the staff will address the rest of the way in Summer League or is it a foregone conclusion that Sofos is on the team regardless of his play in Summer League?
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 8:55 am
If we don’t sign Marqus Blakely now, by the end of this SL, some other team might try to snatch him from the Clips.
Blakely is NBA ready, young but matured player. Not signing him for a 3-yr deal would be a mistake.
[Reply]
clippafan4life Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 10:52 am
i liked his hustle need more of that on this team
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Really like Bledsoe but most of the time he does not look happy, if he is going to be the leader he has to display a positive attitude. Jordan is a good surprise. Not certain about Aminu.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Bledsoe has the worst body language of any young player I’ve ever seen. Compare his slump to John Lucas 3. You can’t be a leader if your chin is always on your chest. BBALL is as much a mental game as it is physical. Somebody needs to have a talk with E.B. to make sure he realizes the role of the pg.
[Reply]
Josh Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Rajon Rondo is miserable and has terrible body language. Chris Paul frequently does as well. Baron Davis is often smiling. He loses. Just because Magic smiled all the time does not mean a PG must always smile and be merry.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Did I ever say ‘merry’ or ’smile’? There’s a swagger and a confidence. If you think he’s better off moping and slumping that’s cool. I disagree. But, as usual, you’re wrong.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 10:03 am
I saw Aminu’s value vs. Babbitt on the defensive end. He was hassling Babbitt in to tough shots and created less room for passes to babbitt.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 10:18 am
The Clippers would be fools not to sign Sofo. The Summer League style isn’t showing him in the best light but he could be a monster off the bench in certain situations. His speed and agility for a big man is sick. If he can stay out of foul trouble (and he’ll learn just like Shaq) then he’ll be a nice sub who will destroy quite a few other centers around the league.
How many spots do the Clippers still need to fill?
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 10:21 am
This game was way better not because of the win but the inprovement on Bledsoe, Aminu and DJ and the surprise on Blakely game, for moments they display a great set of skills, Bledsoe enjoy the game in his way, no smiles but serious work. T-mak better than the “ex-laker” Hope is increasing day by day, so Vinnie shows who the boss is, no more divas drama (BD).
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Check out my thoughts on the sale of the Warriors and an offseason version of Charles Oakley Rankings
sportsaccordingtome.com
[Reply]
FD Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Why would anyone go to your blog? You’re not even following a single team. Did you play in the NBA or are you a sports writer like Bill Simmons? No one is going to go to your blog to read general sports analysis. I’d rather just to go espn.com
[Reply]
Josh Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
The Spam is weak. if you offered insightful commentary on a regular basis as part of the community here, I might look at it. But just to demand we look at it is insulting.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Once again Josh puts thoughts and words in peoples mouths. STEFAN never ‘demanded’ you do anything. He said ‘check it out’. Wrong again Joshy.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 11:40 am
No mention of Eric Gordon? To me he would be the up-tempo king.
[Reply]
Josh Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
He can’t handle the ball well on the break. He’s bad at it, even though he runs without the ball well.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Insightful.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Heard form a pretty good source that TMAC was offered a contract but does not want to play in LA. We will see how it plays out. We need a wing player bad. or we could pretty much say that positioning with cap space was for nothing. What a joke
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Let me put that better. He did not want to play in LA, But it looks like the offer was pretty good so he will come out and listen. But the fact that he does not want to play here is not good… He could be a head case
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
You know youve got a bad rep when even Tmac turns you down.
[Reply]
Juicebox Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Screw T-WAC. We don’t need his old ass here. Yeah is sucks that no one wants to play here but we shouldn’t throw the money at anyone. The team has talent and is on the fence, just about to break out. We need to be careful who comes in and who we kick out. I know Gomes and Foye aren’t big names but they could prove to be the punch we need. Let’s give them a shot. If not, once the season ACTUALLY begins we can shop around for a SF. Keep yo head up Naçion.
[Reply]
FD Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
White Chocolate signed and then turned us down. Christy quit after 2 weeks with Dunleavy. I don’t feel bad about T-mac turning us down. At least he used to be good.
[Reply]
Juan Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
here is an idea for a starting SF way dont the clippers just resign R Butler again he can get the job done as a starter
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
TMAC does not want to play in LA or he does not want to play with the Clippers. Sam Cassel did not want to play here either. Maybe is using as a leverage.
[Reply]
Juicebox Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
But look at what Sam I Am did for this team. He took us to the promised land. He lifted us, gave Clips fans hope. I know I’ll forever be grateful for seeing the Clippers in the playoffs thanks to Cassell. I really doubt T-WAC can do what Sam did for this team.
[Reply]
FD Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
People still wanted Casell and he was playing in a lot of games. Sam also doesn’t doesn’t relay on his speed and jumping ability.
[Reply]
Josh Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Sam is a winner, and TMac is a loser who quits on his teams. I want no part thereof.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Poor T-Mac, I’m sure he’s been dreaming all summer of teaming up with Brian Cook and Ryan Gomes.
[Reply]
dial4bux Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
You can goof all you want on B Cook, that’s harmless fun. Gomes,on the other hand, has a track record of being a useful rotation player.
I’ve invited you before, in this forum, to suggest how we could address our
issues at the 3. Nothing but negative flak has been forthcoming. Please,
gift us with your master plan so AR, NO and VDN will understand how they
must proceed.
TNT57 Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 11:44 am
How about spending some money or working a bold trade? There are very few sure things and when your team probably isn’t going to make the playoffs again why not be bold? Package DJ, BLEDSOE and AMINU for a veteran 3. Package DJ, a future 1st round pick for a 3. TRY SOMETHING. The team as stands is going nowhere.
pez Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Sam was more effective at the end of his career than tmac has thusfar shown to be…if he isn’t motivated to be decent then there’s a good possibility he’ll be terrible.
Thanks for the breakdown DJ
[Reply]
AfishLClipp Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
T-Mac over Casell any day. The issue at hand is for how much and for how long. I think a 2 year, w/ team option in the second year, for $4.5M a year. I would like to get him for less, but realistically, if we’re going to sign him as our starter, we’d have to pay him more than someone who we just signed as our backup (Gomes $4M) no?
Paying him that much we could still sign Sofo and still have room for Blakely if we want.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
IF T-MAC can get us 13pts a game that would be excellent…he still can penetrate n create for other players!!!!!with TMAC we can for sure make playoffss!!!!
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Dude, pass the pipe because the Clippers aren’t going to sniff the playoffs and if anybody wants to place a little side bet on the subject I’m taking all comers.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
TMAC can’t stay healthy. No TMAC, porfavor.
[Reply]
Posted on July 16th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Funny, I went to a hat shop in the mall yesterday and they had the Clipper baseball cap from draft day. It was originally 28 dollars marked down to 20 bucks. I brought it up to the counter and everyone was laughing at me, of course, for buying a Clips hat. Then the kid at the register said it was marked down again because, “Our manager wants all the Clipper gear out of here as soon as possible.” Anyway, when the smoke cleared I paid $5.24 for a new lid. Not bad.
[Reply]
Kurt Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
I can’t wear too much Clipper gear, not because of the mocking, but because of the design colors. Too ugly. I liked the Draft hat except for the two color text, I have no idea what that was about.
I however did get the black Buffalo Braves hat from nba.com
Anyway, to contribute to the discussion I really think that Clipper Merchandise needs a make over. Even if its not a new logo, at least some new designs. Were is a black hat, with just Clippers written on the front? Simple and not to ugly.
[Reply]
TNT57 Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
This one is kind of nice. Black with red letters and a bit of white.
[Reply]
Juicebox Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Where was this? I want to set the store on fire. I mean I want a lid too.
[Reply]
Juicebox Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Where was this? I want to set the store on fire. I mean I want a lid too.
[Reply]
Posted on July 17th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Same cap at Staples would cost you 30 bucks easy.
[Reply]
Posted on July 17th, 2010 at 11:49 am
someone gonna get blocked!
[Reply]
Posted on July 17th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Clips will regret not taking LUKE BABBIT. Man, he looks so much tough and more complete than AMINU.
[Reply]
Richard W. Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Didn’t Babbit Look Like TRASH when they went head to head?? Lol! The Clippers made the right choice..
[Reply]
dial4bux Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 1:15 am
The Aminu I saw this afternoon looked like an athlete in search of a sport. It’s good
that NO signed Gomes, ’cause it looks like he whiffed on #8.
[Reply]
Posted on July 17th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
You Clippers boys be doomed.
Not only do you have Donald The Chump in the owner’s chair, you have the Baroness at the point.
The Baroness means overweight, lazy, whining foolishness that’s only interested in bling bling and trim at the point.
Doomed, in Clipper Land, you be doomed.
[Reply]
Posted on July 18th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Like we need to be told that we,re doomed. As far as babbit is concerned he looked really good last night. Aminu looks like he just took up the game.
[Reply]
Posted on July 18th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Mike Fratello was being very kind t the Clippers during the Spurs game. He actually praised the Gomes / Foye pick ups and said the Clippers had depth.
Not sure what to think of Aminu at this point. He doesn’t command the ball or attention from defenders. He seemed to just blend in with all the summer league players. If an outsider were to watch the Clippers play with out knowing anything about them, ( summer league ) I doubt he would point out Aminu as good player.
[Reply]
Posted on July 18th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Still, one of the most memorable scenes in Las Vegas came when Clippers president Andy Roeser scolded the franchise’s most passionate fan for heckling John Wall during a summer league game.
Darrell Bailey, more commonly known as “Clipper Darrell,” has attended 385 consecutive Clippers games and even has his BMW painted in the team’s red and blue colors. Still, that didn’t keep Roeser from admonishing Bailey and asking him to stop heckling Wall.
Bailey, who has been a Clippers’ season-ticket holder for nine seasons, has loyally supported the woeful franchise, even once turning down a job offer from the Dallas Mavericks.
[Reply]
First2one00 Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
wow, had no idea, where did you here this?
[Reply]
Posted on July 18th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Add A Comment