The line went around the block. It was weaving back and forth, almost set up like a queue at an amusement park, and filled with fans waiting for an opportunity to watch the new hottest team in basketball – the Los Angeles Clippers.
Walking into the Galen Center, with the downtown LA skyline serving as the backdrop, there was a vibe spreading around the arena that was infectious. Anticipation to see the new-look Clippers was insanely high, despite the fact that it was only a scrimmage.
I’m emerging from my Grad School Thesis Cave to post some Clipper thoughts by none other than my brother, Reyn Murphy.
I miss Baron Davis and I shouldn’t.
Baron was special. He wasn’t great, and by the most important measurement he was rarely even good. But, nevertheless, he was one of the rare players that could wow you. Watching Baron Davis was like watching a movie that strove for greatness but neglected key plot points, never developed secondary characters and had major inconsistencies. Yet, there were moments when it was brilliant, and though they were brief, they made you forget all the foibles. It was flawed, but memorable and infinitely more entertaining.
Two second round picks in a draft projected to be the weakest draft since 2000 make Draft Day unusually insignificant for the Clippers. Most years, the Clippers have a high pick, with hopes that whomever they select will provide an answer for the team’s future. Although, considering the Clippers draft history, maybe it’s better that we’re not hoping for a savior to rush out of the Green Room, shake David Stern’s hand and put on a Clipper hat.
Heading into the draft, the Clippers’ main need is, shocker, small forward. They probably don’t need another guard with Gordon, Williams, Bledsoe, Warren and Foye under contract. At this point, much is out of the Clippers’ control (as far as who drops to 37th and 47th), and all they can do is strategize and maximize their draft potential.
The Clippers need better performance from the small forward position. Ryan Gomes woefully underwhelmed in his first year with the Clippers. Rumors have spread about the possibility of the Clippers trading Chris Kaman for Andre Iguodala, in attempt to balance the starting five. But barring that trade, the Clippers will need to find a solution at small forward. They need a wing that’ll provide defense, and at the very least, average offense to help shoulder the load that Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and, to a lesser extent, Mo Williams and Chris Kaman are bearing. Wouldn’t an athletic, competent small forward blend in perfectly with the Clipper starting line-up of Mo Williams, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman/DeAndre Jordan?