Last Year’s Record: 19-63
Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of Clipperblog.
Crowd Says: 32-50
Clipperblog Says: 38-44
Yes We Can!
The sun is out. The seas have parted. The basketball gods are shining upon us!
Although it’s impossible to root for the Los Angeles Clippers without some measure of faith, one thing is certain: Clipper fans don’t believe in saviors. Benoit Benjamin, Danny Ferry, Reggie Williams, and Michael Olowokandi helped retire that gospel.
Salvation for the beleaguered franchise has been elusive and painstaking, as illustrated by the Clippers’ rotten 2008-09 campaign after plenty of hype this time last year.
Yet optimism for the 2009-10 season simmers, and it’s easy to understand why: the dynamic, young inside-outside tandem of rookie big man Blake Griffin and second-year guard Eric Gordon.
Griffin and Gordon may not be saviors, but they’re something. Griffin’s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.
Both Griffin and Gordon are 20 years old, and it’s unreasonable to expect them to make the Clippers a playoff team by themselves. Fortunately, the Clips have surrounded the duo with a decent collection of veterans. The list starts at center, where Marcus Camby is in the twilight of his career at 35, but remains a formidable defensive rover and rebounder. A healthy Chris Kaman commands serious defensive attention in the post and can block shots in bundles.
Can Baron Davis rediscover his inner Baron Davis? The Clippers’ marquee name had a wretched 2008-09 season shooting the ball, but even with dismal numbers, Davis posted average efficiency numbers for an NBA point guard. If Davis is willing to stop shooting so readily off the dribble and embrace the role of playmaker for his more efficient teammates, the Clippers’ offense will see a dramatic improvement.
Al Thornton (12.67 Player Efficiency Rating … and he ain’t making up for it with defense) kills the Clippers, but Mike Dunleavy has fortified the wing with the addition of lanky defender and 3-point threat Rasual Butler. Throw in lunch-bucket forward Craig Smith, intriguing second-year center DeAndre Jordan, backup point guard Sebastian Telfair, and sniper Steve Novak, the Clippers come into October with a reasonably capable bench.
Depth charts aside, there’s a palpable curiosity surrounding this season’s Clippers squad. No one person is going to save this team, but for the first time since 2006 — from the brass, the players, down to the most loyal confines of Clipper Naçion — there’s quiet optimism that just maybe this worm has turned.
No You Can’t
A rousing dissent from a rival blogger.
“Because the best thing the Clippers can say about the last 25 or so years is ‘At least some terrible hell beast hasn’t risen from the sea and eaten our team.’ Yet.”
— Matt McHale, By the Horns
All-A-Twitter
A 140-character insight into the soul of the team.
“Don’t u hate when ur waitin for someone to pull out of a parking spot and someone else comes and takes it? That just happened to me!”
– Rookie Blake Griffin gets his first taste of Los Angeles parking lot etiquette.
On the Record
Single best quote concerning the team during the last 12 months.
“I sucked. I sucked last year. I admit it. What (else) should I say?”
– Baron Davis to the Los Angeles Daily News’ Ramona Shelburne.
Acceptance is the final stage of grief, or at least Clippers fans hope that’s the case.
The 2008-09 Almanac
Some key stats from last season.
Offense: 30th
Defense: 27th
Pace: 13th
Team Factor Strength(s): none
Team Factor Weakness(es): everything except Free Throws Allowed (14th)
The Play
Down a single point with 9.2 seconds to play in a must-win game. What’s the play?
Baron Davis gives up the ball to Eric Gordon on the right side. You read that correctly: Baron Davis gives up the ball. Gordon and Blake Griffin run a high screen roll, with Rasual Butler set up in the right corner – not far from Gordon. Davis mans the weak side with Marcus Camby, the latter stretching his defender out to 15 feet to open up the middle. If the defense traps Gordon, then Griffin is either open as he dives to the rack, or he’s drawn Butler’s defender from the Gordon. This would allow Gordon to kick the ball over to Butler for an open jumper from his favorite spot. If the rotation comes from the weak side, then Camby and Davis are guarded by a single man. Can Gordon find one of his veterans? Perhaps. Then again, the brawny second-year guard might choose to further challenge the defense by putting the ball on the floor. Gordon has the strength to finish, but if the defense overcompensates on the collapse, he has Griffin on the baseline, Butler to his right, Camby at the left elbow, and Davis behind him. Can Gordon learn to be the facilitator in these huge possessions? The Clippers’ future success depends on it.
The People’s Choice
The fan favorite the crowd will be chanting for to see some action.
There are few living beings more exuberant on the receiving end of an alley-oop than 21-year-old DeAndre Jordan. Once regarded as a lottery lock, Jordan slipped to the Clippers in the second round of the 2008 draft. Last season, Jordan showed periodic flashes of that Top 10 talent, and had a solid rookie campaign. Jordan is a demonstrative player who conveys every instance of frustration with himself and each personal triumph when he’s on the court. That quality and his million-dollar smile make Jordan nearly impossible to root against.
If You’re Watching the Bottom Line, You’re Watching This
The single biggest spreadsheet issue hanging over the team.
By offloading Zach Randolph onto the Memphis Grizzlies, the Clippers have positioned themselves to have considerable cap flexibility headed into the 2010 offseason. Assuming Sebastian Telfair exercises his player option, the Clippers will have somewhere in the $12-15 million neighborhood once they sign their first round draft pick. Could the Clippers conceivably throw that money at one of the big-ticket free agents on the market next summer? More important, will the franchise show enough promise and forward momentum this season to make it desirable destination for such a big name?
A guide to the other 29 teams in the Association…
| TEAM | BLOGGERS SAY | WINS* |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bret Lagree | Hoopinion“The Hawks have not built, nor do they appear to be building, a championship contender. … Joe Johnson is poised to be a free agent in the summer of 2010. Johnson is not a franchise player, yet he’s the Hawks’ best player.” |
45 |
 |
Zach Lowe | CelticsHub“It seems reasonable to say anything short of an 18th championship would be a disappointment.” |
58 |
 |
Brett Hainline | Queen City Hoops“Great defense + equally bad offense = average. With an improving division around them, that equation does not get them their first playoff berth. But at least they won’t suck.” |
36 |
 |
Matt McHale | By the Horns“During the offseason, the Bulls lost free agent Ben Gordon, whom many people considered the team’s best or second-best player (after Derrick Rose). Memo to Chicago fans: Don’t sweat it. Seriously. Gordon will be replaced by John Salmons, who not only gave the Bulls almost as many points per game (18.3 versus 20.7) but was slightly more efficient in how he scored them.” |
43 |
 |
John Krolik | Cavs the Blog“After last season’s playoff heartbreak, Danny Ferry has changed up the equation … However, Shaq could disrupt the delicate offensive and defensive chemistry the Cavaliers rode to 66 wins and the conference finals, despite the fact he will be the best player LeBron has ever played with if he continues to play like he did last season. The big question for the Cavs this season is whether they overreacted to two clutch 3s by Rashard Lewis, or made the risk they needed to take to finally get LeBron a ring.” |
61 |
 |
Rob Mahoney | The Two Man Game“’Rebuilding’ teams seek financial flexibility and the acquisition of young, productive assets. Quality squads amass veteran talent, no matter the cost, in pursuit of a title. Defying all logic, the Mavs have simultaneously moved in both directions.” |
50 |
 |
Jeremy Wagner | Roundball Mining Company“The only players still on the roster who exceeded expectations in 2008-09 were Nene and Birdman. It is reasonable to expect every member of the Nuggets, other than thirty-something Chauncey Billups, to improve.” |
53 |
 |
Dan Feldman | PistonPowered“However the minutes shake out between Chris Wilcox, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, they won’t be as good as Rasheed Wallace. But Sheed wasn’t that great last year. He looked old and disinterested, so the drop here won’t be too steep.” |
36 |
 |
Rasheed Malek |Warriors World“Under the ownership of Chris Cohan, the Warriors have made the playoffs exactly one time and have gone through numerous coaches, players and executives. Going into this season, Larry Riley is the man in charge taking over for Chris Mullin.” |
28 |
 |
Anup Shah and Brody Rollins | Rockets Buzz“The speed revolution has overtaken some of basketball’s peers, most notably football … Is basketball headed in the same direction? [Aaron] Brooks provides an excellent case study. Beginning the year as the Rockets number one threat on offense with Ron Artest’s departure and injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Brooks will have every opportunity to prove that size really doesn’t matter.” |
39 |
 |
Jared Wade | Eight Points, Nine Seconds“It’s hard to believe that anything short of the postseason will remove the dark cloud over Conseco. … Ultimately, it will come down to one thing: [Mike Jr.] Dunleavy’s knee.” |
32 |
 |
Kevin Arnovitz | ClipperBlog“[Blake] Griffin and [Eric] Gordon may not be saviors, but they’re something. Griffin’s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.” |
32 |
 |
Kurt Helin | Forum Blue and Gold“God, is it good to be hated again.” |
64 |
 |
Chip Crain | 3 Shades of Blue“The 2009-10 version of the Grizzlies have put together a starting five where every player scored 30 points or more in a game last year. The oldest starter is only 28 years old (Zach Randolph) and the youngest won’t turn 22 until after the start of the season (O.J. Mayo). They are young, talented and hungry for success. So why do most people focus on the two players not on a rookie contract this season?” |
20 |
 |
Matthew Bunch | Hot Hot Hoops“38.6 minutes. 30.2 points. 49.1 percent shooting. Five rebounds. 7.5 assists. 2.2 steals. 1.3 blocks. That’s what [Dwyane] Wade averaged last season. You’re going to keep that guy out of the playoffs? Good luck.” |
44 |
 |
Jeremy Schmidt | Bucksketball“If the Bucks get anything out of their three small forwards, if they can keep [Andrew] Bogut and [Michael] Redd healthy and if they get a season worthy of the number ten selection out of Brandon Jennings at the point, the playoffs will be within reach. But that’s a lot of ifs.” |
29 |
 |
Patrick Hodgdon | Howlin’ T-Wolf“”Ever since his arrival, David Kahn has had seemingly one mission, other than to look like the smartest guy in the room at every turn, and that is to get as much cap space for next summer as he possibly can. … The obvious question lies in whether or not the Wolves will actually be able to lure one of the better free agent players to come to Minnesota.” |
23 |
 |
Mark Ginocchio and Sebastian Priuti | Nets are Scorching“Lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.” |
29 |
 |
Niall Doherty and Ryan Schwan | Hornets247“Enter Emeka Okafor. He’s a near match to a healthy Chandler, is more durable, and doesn’t look like he’s having muscle spasms when making a post move.” |
47 |
 |
Mike Kurylo | Knickerblogger“2010 could be New York’s return to winning.” |
31 |
 |
Royce Young | Daily Thunder“The Thunder may not win more than half their games, but with over half the roster unable to get an alcoholic beverage still, steady improvement and progression is the name of the game.” |
34 |
 |
Zach McCann | Orlando Magic Daily“Take away either Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee and the Magic aren’t getting to face the Lakers in the Finals. No way. But does that mean the Magic were wrong to let them go? Were the Magic foolish to allow a borderline All-Star and a possible future All-Star leave the team when both clearly wanted to stay in Orlando? Absolutely not. I believe the Magic are an entirely better team than they were four months ago.” |
59 |
 |
Carey R. Smith | Philadunkia“The travesty of a deal that Billy King gave to Samuel Dalembert remains easily one of the worst contracts in NBA history. Hopefully this season Dalembert, his inflated self-worth and his contract will be dealt for a couple of expiring contracts and some much-needed cap space.” |
39 |
 |
Michael Schwartz | Valley of the Suns“Two years ago the Suns were chic championship picks. Last year, the Suns were (accurately) thought to be a fringe playoff team. This year there are almost no expectations outside of their locker room. … There will be no mistaking what the Suns are this season: a lightning-speed team that will score points in bunches and likely give them up almost as quickly while struggling badly on the boards. But they will once again be the most exciting team in basketball.” |
46 |
 |
Max Handelman | Beyond Bowie“The Blazers effectively bumbled their way to a 54-win season despite a mediocre performance from Greg Oden, the loss of Martell Webster for the season, and at times starting three rookies. This team is only getting better, kids.” |
53 |
 |
Zach Harper | Cowbell Kingdom“Enter Tyreke Evans — a bulldozer-sized menace who will test the strength of every team’s defense at its entry point. He immediately creates matchup problems against teams with traditional point guards and will look to have a similar impact as fellow Memphis alum, Derrick Rose.” |
22 |
 |
Timothy Varner | 48 Minutes of HellDuring the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep. What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.” |
55 |
 |
RaptorsRepublic“How is a rookie(ish) head coach going to integrate nine new players into a new system with two new assistant coaches?” |
41 |
 |
Spencer Ryan Hall | Salt City Hoops“With young Wesley Matthews providing the good luck charm, Boozer in a contract year, Deron Williams with a chip on his shoulder, and a new longer-haired version of Andrei Kirilenko the Jazz have no reason to be anything other than beastly this season. And I mean that in a good way. Every prediction from the Jazz camp, however, comes with the ominous caveat ‘If we can stay healthy.'” |
46 |
 |
Kyle Weidie | Truth About It“Flip Saunders has never gotten a team ‘there.’ That worn out cliché always runs rampant, plaguing almost every coach who hasn’t won … until they win. Red Auerbach (647), Larry Brown (1,900), and Dick Motta (738) all took their lumps before winning a championship (games coached before title season). Don’t be surprised when what you think is impossible becomes a reality. … 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Factor in Gilbert Arenas’ stomach tattoo and the fact that the Wizards play their home games in D.C.’s Chinatown, and all the cards are in place.” |
42 |
* As predicted by a consensus of all TrueHoop Network bloggers. |
||
