I like Nick Young

I'm not going anywhere

With the Livvy watch news seemingly going well, drafting a PG no longer seems the priority it may have been.

If Durant goes to Seattle, then Lewis seemingly becomes more available. Get Maggette out of here immediately. Almost whatever it takes. Give them depth and savings with the prospect of cap relief soon for a long term extended Lewis.

First of all, we need to sign Hart.

Then, make a move for Rashard Lewis.

Hey Kev,

With all these other guys doing mock drafts (I'm sure you have a position on mock drafting), you gotta do a clipperblog mock draft. Otherwise, we're left to stuff like:

ESPN’s Sportsnation’s Pick – Al Thornton
ESPN’s Chad Ford’s Pick – Acie Law
Yahoo’s Wojnarowski – Thaddeus Young
Sportsline’s Mejia – Javaris Crittenton
Insidehoops.com – Corey Brewer

So how about it? 1-14? And, now that we know Minn gets to keep their 7th pick, what happens with that deal? Is that just a 'no soup for you' for clipper nation, or does that carry to next year?

Dave:

As you know, I'm a big GA Tech fan and saw the team in person 5 times last year. Both Thad Young and Javaris are guys who should've stayed at least another year. Young is a stupid player [at least right now]. Crittenton is a turnover machine and a shoot-first point.

ka

The MIN pick is top-10 protected seemingly in perpetuity. (Really 2011 and then it becomes unprotected.)

Start tracking those high school sophomores now. Your next Clipper is out there getting his learner's permit.

John R, you keep forgetting that Corey is one of our best players. This of course is why Corey (unlike Q Ross) has significant trade value. Show him some respect.

Instead of repeatedly posting nonsensical utterances which betray a lack of basketball knowledge and waste our time, I would respectfully suggest that you take some time to analyze the situation.

For example, as I've repeatedly said, if Dunleavy had started Corey all year, we would have made the playoffs and the team would have played much better as a group since they would have had more faith in their coach. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The decision was Dunleavy's fault, not Corey's. You should redirect your obvious anger to Dunleavy. Perhaps at bottom you're jealous.

In addition, I would agree that Rashard Lewis would be a good get in the abstract. However, he's going to be very expensive. And you have to understand where he'd fit in. He's basically a small forward. He cannot play shooting guard, unlike Corey. If we are going to give up on Corey (who has a favorable contract), we're going to need another shooting guard who can pass the ball, particularly where as here there is no reliable PG. You see, JR, Corey is more versatile than Rashard and given the current makeup of the team it would be awfully hard to get rid of him.

So where would that leave us? Are you going to start Q Ross? No, you're not. That experiment failed. And as I've said, you need three reliable scorers to win in the NBA and we would then only have two. Are you going to start Cuttino? You could, but I would submit that he's no longer that third reliable scorer that they need. Therefore, you would have to trade Corey for another starting SG or a PG who will give you 16 ppg. Think for a minute, JR. Is that realistic? Who would you take for Corey?

Alternatively, they could draft an SG such as Nick Young and trade Corey (packaged with Q Ross - oh wait, that wouldn't add much).

I would suggest that we see what happens with the draft. My guess would be that they go for a PG. Acie Law would be a good fit I think.

Oh Jax. You're gonna make me do it, aren't you? Ok. Given the tone and arrogance I will proceed to take your comment apart piece by piece until it is so many shreds of paper lying by your feet as I walk away and leave you alone before God, man and Clipperblog to think of what you have done. I don't like to be this way, but its clear you need a big frosty mug of humility.

I will now proceed to demonstrate why your logic is completely flawed.

Your first paragraph puts forth the notion that it is inadvisable to trade 50 because he is one of the Clippers' best players. At least you are rational enough to agree he is not the best. I am somewhat surprised by this. Trading a franchise's best players are often how they improve. See: Miami. They traded TWO (wha?!) of their "best players" and it only produced a championship. Now, do I believe Corey will bring back a Shaq? Of course not. But merely noting that Corey is one of the better Clippers is completely inconsequential. Your entire first paragraph was a waste of time.

Your next paragraph is some arrogant projection. No need to reply as it is merely an empty assumption on your part, though it does go to demonstrate your frame of mind entering the discussion. "Open" is not a word I would use to describe it. So be it.

Your third paragraph is a red herring concerning Corey's playing time last season. Unless you believe that had Corey started the whole season the Clippers would have been in a position to win a championship, it really doesn't contain any reason to not trade him. Do you believe this? This belief is implied by your decision to include that point, but if you believe it based on the results of the season, I would have to say that you are a fool. Again, more pointless drivel. Please stop wasting our time with this.

The gist of your fourth paragraph is that Rashard Lewis would be a bad fit for the Clippers because Corey can play the 2 or the 3. This is, of course, absurd. One of the Clippers primary problems that needs to be addressed is the ABUNDANCE of wing players, not a shortage. This should be obvious, even to the casual observer. Quickly listing everyone who can and/or has played the 2 and is already under contract for next season: Cassell, Livingston, Mobley, and even Thomas in a pinch. Of course the team holds options on Ross and Conroy and could also bring back Hart and/or Ewing. They could sign a 2 with the mid-level. They could draft a 2. If you believe that the Clippers would be short on 2's if Corey left, I would suggest that it is, in fact, you who demonstrates "a lack of basketball knowledge". The Clippers would be short at the 2. Utter nonsense! All of this besides the fact that Mobley is likely Dunleavy's favorite player and will continue to soak up 35+ minutes at the SG regardless of moves. There may be reason why Corey is a better fit for the Clippers than Lewis, feel free to explain one if you think of it, but paragraph four is trash.

Ah, here's rub buried in paragraph five. At last. You live in a fantasy world where Mobley and Ross will not continue to be Dunleavy's favorite wings. Well, I don't know how to respond to hypotheticals in your fantasy world. Are the laws of physics there similar to earth? Are the life forms carbon-based?

You see, its that very fact that REQUIRES Corey be sent away, probably along with another player, for someone who is a complete 3. Someone who possess all the skills of a professional basketball player. Shooting. Passing. Defending. Pretty much everything else besides closing his eyes and charging at the basket. To me, I would target Lewis. I have made my suggestion.

Of course, you provide none.

My curiosity is high regarding what the "Corey = championship" crowd thinks is required value before your basketball jesus could be traded. Feel free to offer it up at any time.

I apologize that everyone had to see that. Remarkably, I tore apart that post without having to go far into the relative merits of Maggette and Lewis. Mostly it was easy to show how the fundamental logic behind how Jax makes decisions is completely flawed.

The funny thing is, I don't feel anger towards anyone, especially Corey. Basketball doesn't really impart emotions unto me. I don't feel pride; I don't feel disappointment; I don't feel joy. I just watch. Perhaps this is why I am able to be more rational towards the situation. I DO know that many folks here have shown a great deal of unwarranted anger towards me, and frankly, its fine. But I would suggest that that anger that you feel towards me and Dunleavy and who knows who else, has rendered you unable to both properly analyze the situation and express yourself in a polite and civil manner. So be it.

gg.

The season's over, but the drama continues... I like the push for Rashard campaign... I always have. My gut tells me that our pick might be irrelevant(see Olowokandi).
Go clips...

I want Acie Law just to hear Ralph Lawler say "It's the LAW!!" before the game starts

JR, JR, JR - you're funny. Funny because you actually think by so proudly proclaiming, repeatedly, that you've "torn apart" my post, that this just must be so. Actually, I feel sorry for you because you seem to have this deep seated need to pat yourself on the back for how great you think you are. I hope you resolve these insecurity issues some day.

Unfortunately, your post is nonsensical. "Much heat, little light" is probably the most apt description. Unfortunately reflects a basic understanding of mine. And contrary to your assertions, most of your previous posts are simply illogical and factually incorrect rips on Corey. JR, with all due respect you miss the forest for the trees.

My post was an attempt to explain that the team as currently constituted has a number of serious flaws that cannot be easily remedied simply by adding one player if Corey is traded. I love Rashard Lewis. He is a great player. But, as shown by what he's done in Seattle, he alone (or teamed with one other consistent scorer) cannot make a team get to the playoffs.

The Clippers as currently constituted do not have a good starting point guard or shooting guard, and a barely serviceable center. You, on the other hand, seem to think that because the Clips have alot of players that this means they will win.

Obviously, you're wrong. Let's talk point guard. Livingston probably will never be a great point guard, sad to say, and may never play again. Sam is too old to be an everyday starter (although God knows I love his game). Hart is a good backup, but will not lead the team to the promised land.

Now let's talk shooting guard. Who Dunleavy wants to play from the available roster is not really relevant to my point. Other than Corey, the team does not have a great consistent scorer at the 2. Mobley is a good player but he's on the downside of his career. Look at his stats last year. They're not going to get better. Thomas is a backup SF. Ross? Not sure what he is, but we know he doesn't score. As I've said ad nauseum, the team needs three consistent scorers.

Because the Clips do not have a great point guard, they need their shooting guard to also play the point or act as a playmaker. This is what Corey did when he was finally allowed to start. (I know, JR, that all you think he did was charge to the basket, but you obviously do not understand his game. Check his stats.) If the Clips don't get a better PG, in my opinion, they have to keep and start Corey beause he's transformed himself into a good playmaking 2/3.

Now to SF. As noted, I would like the Clips to get Rashard. The point I attempted to convey earlier, however, is that the Clips really cannot trade Corey simply because they get Rashard for the reasons discussed above. Rashard would not address the void that losing Corey would bring. They would need either a good scoring PG or a scoring SG. Would trading Corey bring back either? I don't know the answer to that, but I would question why you would want to do it if they get Rashard given how good Corey's been playing and how Rashard would open up the lane.

In summaary, the Clips need to address a number of issues this summer. Yes they could use a Rashard Lewis. they need a third scorer. As I've said ad nauseum, successful NBA teams need three consistent scorers. If the Clips have to trade Corey to get him, then pray tell where would the Clips get that third scorer?

Jax

Dang, I thought this was only a conversation about who the clippers would take at No. 14.

At the risk of flaming the fire, I think it's a stretch to call Corey a shooting guard. Dunleavy has experimented with that, but it failed, largely because Corey plays a little too big to stay with a 2 on the other end. He's a forward, plain and simple. And that's been born out. And Mobley, for all his failings, "eats innings" -- as Hollinger wrote once, his value comes from the reality that his presence in the lineup at the 2 keeps a lesser player from having to play:

Hollinger:

<i>You know how in baseball they call a pitcher an "innings eater?" That's what Mobley is -- a minutes sponge. It's not that he's a good player, it's that he prevents you from having to use your bad players because he soaks up so many minutes himself. That's why on a team with a bad backcourt bench, like the Clippers had last season, somebody like Mobley can make such a difference -- much like a 200-inning starter with a 4.50 ERA still helps a team if they have no bullpen. Mobley is essentially the Steve Trachsel of basketball.<i>

I think I wrote a post last year documenting the best stretch of basketball the Clippers played after that jackrabbit start, a 4-2 east coast road trip. Mobley was crucial in that stretch -- never playing fewer than 42 minutes, averaging near 50% from thhe field, big point outputs.

Maggette will forever be an enigma [it's worth noting that he was out for most of that aforementioned steady stretch]. I truly believe that he turned the corner defensively in the last month of the season. I'm just not sure that if some team offered a quality 3 in exchange for Maggette, it wouldn't be a bad idea. I want the Clips to get something of value for him if he leaves, though it's entirely possible that the best way to go is to allow him to play out his contract, then use the $7M cap space toward a FA signing.

Potential FA Class of '08:

Iguodala
B. Davis
A currently unhappy Gilbert Arenas
Hamilton
Deng [though I can't imagine he's not going to get a boffo extension]
Kevin Martin [see above]
Marion [I know he prefers the 4, but in the Clips' offense, he could do well at the SF]. All indications are that he'll be the sacrificial lamb in PHX's attempt to get below the cap.

The Clips will clear Livingston and Maggette after next season. That amounts to near $11M.

Clipperblog - xlnt post. You're right about Corey not really being a 2, but given the lack of a PG he had to fulfill that role to some degree towards the end of last year and he did so. Corey also has a great contract and based on what I know about Sterling (in addition to the fact that he likes Corey), he'll hang onto him this year for that reason alone.

I also agree about Mobley but the point I'm making there is that we need to upgrade if we really want to go anywhere next year. Given the current salary situation, caused by questionable signings such as Tim Thomas, that will be difficult to do wtihout getting rid of Corey or Mobley or getting lucky in the draft. Mobley won't be going anywhere given his salary. Perhaps Law will pan out.

On an unrelated note, is Baby Shaq (Greece) coming this summer?

Hollinger on Maggette (before the 06-07 season). Note that Corey played better when starting this year, addressing some of the issues that Hollinger raised (passing and defense). Hollinger also indicates that Maggette has two years left in a favorable deal for the Clippers. If true, I'd be very surprised if they traded him this year.

2005-06 season: It was a fairly typical season for Corey Maggette -- he scored in bunches, had an insanely high free-throw rate, and missed a chunk of time with an injury. The only differences were that the injury cost him a much bigger chunk this time, and when he got back he didn't have a starting job any more.

Top FT Rates, Perimeter Players
Player Team FTA/FGA
Corey Maggette LAC 0.683

Andrei Kirilenko Utah 0.678
Antonio Daniels Was 0.61

Richard Jefferson NJ 0.58
Dwayne Wade Mia 0.57
Maggette has managed to play 70 games in a season just once since his rookie season, but last year he set a new low with 32. The main culprit was a sprained foot that cost him 39 games at midseason, but Maggette also lost time with hamstring and back problems. When he returned he had trouble getting his starting job back because Mike Dunleavy was upset with his defense, while stopper Quinton Ross had no such issues.

When he did play, his overall numbers were vintage Maggette. His rate of 0.68 free-throws per field-goal attempt was the highest of any perimeter player, and among players who actually shot the ball once in a while (having a usage rate above 16), he was second only to the Knicks' Eddy Curry.

All those free throws were especially beneficial because Maggette is a strong foul shooter, hitting 82.8 percent, and the result was a high-efficiency scoring machine. He had the fifth-best usage rate and 10th-best TS% among small forwards, while his rate of 24.2 points per 40 minutes ranked 17th in the NBA.

Scouting report: Maggette has a blinding first step to his right and is very strong for his size, so he's a force of nature when he drives to the basket. Making it harder is that defenders must honor his perimeter jumper, as he hit 33.8 percent of his 3-pointers. He ends up in the league's free-throw attempt leaders every season because defenders have no choice but to foul him on his way to the rim.

Maggette's drives don't produce passes, however. He ranked 52nd among small forwards in assist ratio despite all his forays to the basket, and you'll hear mutterings from time to time that his teammates aren't thrilled about this.

Dunleavy's complaints about Maggette's defense had some merit. He's potentially very good because of his strength and athleticism, but his effort level and concentration are not what they should be. Additionally, his explosive quickness at the offensive end doesn't necessarily translate into the kind of nimble, lateral quickness required on the defensive side.

2006-07 outlook: Maggette has been the subject of constant trade talk, as he doesn't seem too happy about coming off the bench and Dunleavy doesn't seem too interested in starting him. The Clippers should look before they leap since Maggette's contract is one of the NBA's more reasonable deals (six years, $45 million) and runs through 2009, especially since they're understocked on the wings as it is and would need to get back another wing player in any trade.

As for Maggette's performance, all the pounding he's taking on those drives isn't doing any wonders for his longevity. He'll produce big point totals when he's on the court, especially with the current rules favoring drivers so much, but he won't get full recognition for his scoring talents until he finds a way to stay healthy for an entire season.
Most similar at age: Paul Pierce

Back to the draft talk:

since acie law sems to be a consensus pick for the clippers, or at least someone the clippers have to think seriously about taking, will someone tell me the difference between acie law and eddie house?
haven't we played the eddie house game before? why are the clippers going down that road again?

This might seem like a dumb thing to say, and I mean no disrespect, but no two people are exactly alike. Eddie House as I recall was a good shooter who couldn't play defense. He was a small shooting guard. Isn't Acie Law suppose to be a point guard? I have no idea whether or not he can defend, but you would think the powers that be(MD and EB2) would have a handle on that.

We better get ready to embrace for post-Maggette Clipper team. Cavaliers are 100% sure about getting Maggette at ANY cost. But he's open to other options too. The highest bidder will end up having Corey sooner than we anticipate. For all practical reason, most GM's would love to have Corey over Rashard Lewis.

Maggette is gone for sure. Then comes the reality check. It would take an A-list player to fill maggette's big shoes. The void will be felt instantly. The Clipper Nation should be willing to embrace another sub .500 or less of a season if Corey leaves for his own good.

Then comes BRAND issue. He'll be traded in 08-09 season. Because,he has no intention to re-sign with Clips. Due to these likely scenarios, we might be better-off tanking 07-08 season in order to enter the lottery parade.

Seattle & Portland have a better chance to make it to post-season than our team. Let's be realistic here... are we better than Denver & Golden State? NO. Instead we are going backwards only to find solace in basement once again.

There are a lot of problems in Clipland these days. With that in mind, it seems like the most important thing, and it affects the draft and the offseason, is to figure out the identity and style of the team. It seems as if MD wanted to model the franchise after the success of the Spurs, hoping that he had a version of Duncan in Brand, a productive center in Kaman, along with the defensive mindset provided by a Bruce Bowen in Q Ross, the list goes on, etc. The horrendous season bore out the fact that MD was wrong, his thinking was premature and inflexible, and he wasted a lot of talent and chemistry and a good season. The team wasn't very good at playing the way that he wanted them to, and it hurt performance and morale.

Second to this, MD has shown a curious but familiar stubborn foolishness with his late lottery and early 2nd round draft picks. I'd be curious to hear some one try to explain his handling of Korolev. Most people thought it was a ridiculous pick, but I was a supporter of MD at the time, so I was interested to see how it would turn out. When MD didn't play YK in Russia and then continued to give big preseason minutes to journeyman vets who weren't going to make the team, I didn't get it. It only got worse from there, providing another nail in MD's coffin.

His handling of Paul Davis isn't much different. Some people think Davis is pretty good. Could he be as good as Biedrins? Why not? Either way, MD will give endless unproductive minutes to Kaman, Ross, Thomas, and Mobley and do nothing to help young players not named Chris, Shawn or Quentin get any experience. Let's not forget that the Clips could have taken Millsap, by the way, but I'm sure he would have played less than Davis or Korolev.

So at this point, I have no idea what MD might be thinking. It's a complete mystery. But after last season, whatever it is he's thinking, I'm pretty sure I disagree with it.

Reading over my post, I see that I lost the original idea, figuring out the Clips' style. With the rise of Phoenix and then the excitement of Golden State, there's a revision necessary to MD's emulation of the Spurs. And the Clips were never nearly as good as the Spurs and the Mavericks anyway. So now it seems that they could easily be unable to beat ANY teams in the West pretty soon, with the arrival of Oden and Durant.

With Oden coming to the West, having Kaman around for a long contract may not be the worst thing in the world, but he needs to improve. Brand is still a great primary piece. But we'll see.

I say... SAM CASSELL. He can save this team by replacing our current coach. Sterling has to take bold decision & fire Dunleavy next season.

Players love Cassell. And they'll help them realize their potential.

Is there any chance that Noah would fall to the Clips at 14? It seems to me he could play the three.

Noel, are u Dave???

as far as the 14th pick goes, everyone seems to think AL4 is the best fit. i can't imagine him not being there, he's not really a lottery pick. i'm holding out hope SL14 will contribute next year, lessening the need to draft a pg. i'd LOVE to have noah but that's a wet dream.

Joakim Noah is gonna be a bust. There's no way he worth a first round pick. He's a bad shooter, who excelled at the college game, but is too small for his position to be a bad shooter in the NBA.

Anyways...There will be some major decisions for the front office to make in the coming seasons. I think we can get Brand to stay if we improve on last year and the year before. If they are in the hunt for the championship, he'll stick around. Maggette is doubtful though.

We need to take either Acie Law or Rudy Fernandez. We need help on the point and some solid outside shooting. Law will be a great PG, I believe and Rudy can come in an make an impact as a shooter right away.

Also, look for Guillermo Diaz to be on the roster this year. "The Firestarter" is gonna be a hit in Clipperland.

What about this?....Maggette, Mobley, Kaman and $$ to the Lakers for Kobe?...We all know Kobe wants out of the Lakers...and what better team for him to go to than the CLippers?

The Lakers would never (even with the deal proposed) send Kobe over to the Clippers.

These are all good suggestions. In my view, the Clippers need to acknowledge that many of the recent signings (including resigning Dunleavy), although welcomed because, frankly, Sterling had never before done this, really haven't helped all that much long term. I think that Zhiv's posts are helpful in that regard. We need to take stock and try to figure out where we want to go as a team. I don't think that simply saying that we should try to get Rashard Lewis without looking at the long term goals for the team as a whole is particularly helpful.

Here are my specific questions in no particular order. First, are Diaz and the Greek Baby Shaq available to play next year?

Second, are we intending to try to keep Brand? My guess there is that if Brand feels that the team is moving in the right direction again that he'd be happy to stay. Who knows what he thinks of Dunleavy.

Third, can Kaman be motivated? By Dunleavy?

Fourth, is Dunleavy the right coach for this team? If not, are we stuck with him?

Kobe should of signed with the clips when he had the chance. We all know there would of been a Championship banner hanging on the Clippers side by now.

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Ok. Look at it this way:
Who do you want your daughter to bring home:

Duncan or Rasheed?
Parker or Chauncy?
Brent Barry or Lindsey Hunter?

Get the point...