Clippers Basketball | Love The Game

[Big C-Dub]

I think that Amare to the Warriors deal his history. GS does not want to give up Curry, and it looks like Randolph is their big man of the future.

[FishStickZ]

That banner up there was sexy as feck.

[SuperNova854]

It was made by my long lost lover sonicsfan

[mike3]

damn that banner looks good as

[SuperNova854]

Thanks, more updates later today

[SuperNova854]

Sterling Wants Iverson On Clippers



Clippers owner Donald Sterling wants Allen Iverson, but not many of his top basketball people are thinking along those lines.

"It's out of our control," complained one Clipper executive this past week. "This is owner-driven."

Apparently, Sterling has noted that Clippers tickets are moving as slowly as L.A. traffic. He sees Iverson as a box-office draw, even in a bench role following a disastrous season in Detroit that ended with him being sent home for the playoffs.

But it's pretty clear that Iverson, a free agent one GM called "our league's Barry Bonds," isn't in coach Mike Dunleavy's plans. Dunleavy wants to build around second-year guard Eric Gordon and No. 1 pick Blake Griffin. He has no use for a veteran superstar who can divide a locker room and cause headaches on any given night. That's one of the reasons he shipped Zach Randolph to Memphis earlier this summer for Quentin Richardson.

But it seems that the stage is being set for Iverson's arrival.

"I LOVE AI," Clipper guard Baron Davis chimed in on his Twitter page. "He is TOP 50 ... he would be a great vet for our young guys to learn from." Especially if they want to learn how to dominate the ball and how to go through the motions on defense. Nobody ever accused Sterling of paying attention to those details.

[SuperNova854]

If Gordon played every game we would have went 5-0. He only plays first 2 games, we win both, he doesnt play the rest, we lose the rest :doh: We really missed his 22 a game.

[SuperNova854]

How Griffin can rank among best No. 1s


Blake Griffin turning the Clippers into playoff regulars would be a case of mission accomplished.

LAS VEGAS -- They were there for Blake Griffin, and they didn't even get to see him play. Fans started lining up at an autograph booth in the Thomas & Mack Center concourse before the Los Angeles Clippers' summer league game, and they stayed there until Griffin arrived some 20 minutes after the game ended, sat down and started signing jerseys, cards, basketballs, shirts and programs. The line extended past concession stands and entry portals, with more fans breaking ranks to get a glimpse of the Clippers' No. 1 pick. A team official said he's never seen anything like it for one of their players at summer league.

This is different.

And this goes against everything I've learned since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and provided us with a quarter-century's worth of bad draft picks, loafing centers, point guards on 10-day contracts taking last-second shots, and Donald Sterling's ownership serving as the lone constant, but I believe Griffin can change this team.

If he does, if he turns the Clippers into regular playoff residents instead of occasional visitors, he'll go down as one of the greatest No. 1 picks ever. That's the magnitude of the challenge, and that's how monumental that accomplishment would be.

There have been other moments of hope: the "Space Cowboys" group of past-their-peaks Norm Nixon, Cedric Maxwell and Marques Johnson; the head-pounding young squad of Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles, Elton Brand and Lamar Odom; and the team that got to within a game of the Western Conference finals. You don't need to be an NBA historian to know how those promising stories ended. Just look at the upper reaches of the Staples Center. You won't find a single piece of Clippers fabric. No retired jerseys, not even so much as a division championship banner.

When the Clippers won the draft lottery and selected Griffin with the top pick, I didn't think this one would turn out any different. It would be just the Clippers' luck to go first in what's viewed as a weak draft. They never get this chance when there's a Shaq or a LeBron to be had.

Then I saw Griffin flying around the court in a summer league game against Memphis, soaring over everyone in the paint to throw down a tip dunk, running down an opponent to pin his shot against the backboard. The fact that it came while the No. 2 pick, Memphis' Hasheem Thabeet, was turning in an Olowokandian performance and disappearing for stretches made it even more jarring. For once, the Clippers wound up with the player you'd want if you had the choice. This wasn't Lancaster Gordon instead of John Stockton, or Yaroslav Korolev instead of Danny Granger.

(That reminds me, my favorite moment of summer league came when Korolev, playing on the Knicks' squad, blocked Sacramento forward Jason Thompson's shot from behind. Thompson seemed willing to accept it as part of the game until he turned around, saw who got him, and said, "Oh, s---!" He looked as shocked as he would have if someone had just walked on the court and served him a subpoena.)

This time the Clippers got exactly what they needed, even if it didn't seem that way on draft night. They already had a surplus of frontcourt players, with Zach Randolph at power forward and Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman at center, with Camby the only one with a contract that seemed easily tradable. Then, miraculously, the Clippers got the Memphis Grizzlies to agree to take Randolph and the two years and $33 million left on his contract in exchange for Quentin Richardson in a trade that was finalized over the weekend.

One league executive said that losing Randolph might be the best thing about getting Griffin. That's cold. The reality is that the best thing for the Clippers is they're getting someone who cares, who's fully invested in this, who arrives with no checked baggage, only a carry-on.

It's hard to get worked up over big scoring performances in summer league because they're coming against players who won't be in the NBA next season (not to mention players who have been hanging out in Vegas for a week). And it's silly to get discouraged when opponents swarm Griffin, as the Washington Wizards did Saturday night, because he isn't surrounded by players such as Baron Davis and Eric Gordon to keep defenders honest.

If there's one thing to take away from Griffin's play in Las Vegas, it's his effort. He boxes out. He's the first one down the court on fast breaks. And even though it makes you wince to see him put his body at risk in a meaningless game, he'll dive on the ground in pursuit of loose balls.

Can this be the new standard for the Clippers, a squad that seemed disinterested and disconnected at times? Rookies rarely set the tone for teams, just as the last name added to the law firm doesn't call the shots. It's even more difficult for a power forward. Transformative rookies are usually either point guards who control the ball or giant centers who control the paint.

"I can bring energy, bring excitement, athleticism, defense, stuff like that," Griffin said. "Hopefully those are things I can help out with.

"I know my boundaries. I know what I need to do. My thing is just to lead by example. We'll have guys that have been in the league for a long time. They know what to do. My thing is to come in here and work as hard as I can and do the right things."

He doesn't have the charisma of Baron Davis, who had his fashion flair (beard, hat, Malcolm X glasses) and personality on full display Saturday when he watched the Clippers play and made a boisterous tour of their locker room afterward. It will be interesting to see just how much of the light he allows Griffin to have. Davis did consent to an interview that Griffin conducted for NBA TV.

"A rookie can just provide that energy that we need, and that's going to be crucial," Davis said. "We're ready for it. We're ready for everything he's going to give us."

(Just as noteworthy as Griffin's performance was Davis' sitting courtside with Clippers general manager/coach Mike Dunleavy and assistant GM Neil Olshey as the three talked, laughed and made dinner plans. New harmony in Clipper Country?)

Of course, one thing that hasn't changed is the owner. This is still Sterling's team, which means it's still subject to his eccentricities, such as his apparent infatuation with Allen Iverson. While Dunleavy & Co. would prefer to pursue Milwaukee Bucks restricted free-agent guard Ramon Sessions, who is also drawing interest from the New York Knicks, Sterling thinks Iverson is the guy to help ticket sales, regardless of his impact on the win-loss record. Dunleavy even asked the Detroit Pistons for their assessment of the Iverson experience. You never know when Sterling will intrude on personnel matters and bring his own brand of bad decisions to the forefront.

When people talk about the Clippers' losing culture, it's really on Sterling, since he's the one who's been there through all of the front-office changes, through a baker's dozen of coaches, through 22 losing seasons since they moved to L.A. It's why I always say that despite Larry Brown's championships in college and the NBA, his greatest accomplishment is coaching the Clippers to a winning record in his two years there. He's the only full-time coach in the franchise's history who can make that claim.

The same weighted standards apply if Griffin plays out his career as a Clipper and emerges as a winner. That should merit inclusion on this short list of all-time great No. 1 overall picks. (Caveat: They must have done great things for the teams that drafted them. For example, Shaq's glory days were in Los Angeles, not Orlando, which keeps him off this list.)

That could be the company that awaits Griffin. Ridiculous? No more absurd than Dunleavy's saying Griffin combines elements of Tim Duncan and Charles Barkley.

Dunleavy is shifting from scouting to coaching mode on Griffin now, nitpicking, saying, "Every night there's certain things you see that he needs to learn. There's also things you say, 'Wow. He can do that. That's great.' Right now he's out there doing well but going through a lot of learning."

OK, we'll try to show a little patience and understanding. It's the least we can do for someone trying to do the unprecedented.

He has until January.

By J.A. Adande, ESPN.com

[SuperNova854]

The Best No. 1s

Can Blake Griffin join the illustrious company below of No. 1 overall picks who elevated the team that drafted them?

Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals
Five years before Oscar: 133-230 record, one playoff appearance. First six with Oscar: 266-213, five trips to playoffs, two conference finals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks
Of his NBA-record 38,387 points, he scored 14,211 in only six seasons in Milwaukee. (That alone would make put him in the top 140 all-time). Milwaukee's two trips to the NBA Finals and only championship came with Kareem on the squad.

Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers
One Most Valuable Player award and Portland's only NBA championship … and that unforgettable hair.

Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
Showtime, Winning Time … whatever you want to call it, he put five banners in the Forum and did it with unmatched style.

Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
Greatest testimony to his career: You never hear the Rockets ridiculed for taking him two spots ahead of Michael Jordan.

Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
Franchise leader in 14 major categories … including steals.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Easy to forget: He came into the league after Kobe and got four championships before him.

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Single-handedly made the team relevant.

[SuperNova854]

Clippers to acquire three Wolves


Looks like Q won't be returning to LA

The Los Angeles Clippers agreed to trade Quentin Richardson to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Sebastian Telfair, Mark Madsen and Craig Smith on Monday.

Madsen spoke to his agent on Monday to confirm the deal.

The trade is expected to be announced later Monday after the teams complete a trade call with the league.

The trade will give the Clippers a solid backup point guard behind Baron Davis and give them some depth at the power forward position.

For the Wolves this essentially saves them some money next season and clears up a potential logjam at the point guard position. New Wolves GM David Kahn is currently in Spain trying to negotiate a buyout for Ricky Rubio. If Kahn can get an agreement, he will have both Rubio and their other lottery pick, Jonny Flynn, as the team's point guards.

Madsen spent six seasons in Minnesota. His playing time waned as his career progressed, but he remained a valued leader in the locker room.

Smith was a capable scorer off the bench for the Wolves, but the power forward had trouble getting consistent playing time behind Al Jefferson and Kevin Love.

Richardson averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds last season.

[mfbmike]

HAVE FUN WITH MARK SHITTYSEN

[SuperNova854]

Hes going to be waived anyways lol

[SuperNova854]

Sessions To Clippers?



Bucks point guard Ramon Sessions could receive an offer sheet in the next few days, according to his agent, Jimmy "Chubby" Wells.

"We're getting close with three teams," Wells said Monday, and he confirmed two of the teams were the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.

Sessions, who has played two years with the Bucks since being drafted 56th overall in 2007, is eligible to sign for no higher than the midlevel exception ($5.8 million a year).

The Knicks and Clippers are searching for point guards. New York made an offer to veteran Jason Kidd this summer, but he decided to stay with the Dallas Mavericks. Knicks point guard and restricted free agent Nate Robinson received a $2.9 million qualifying offer from New York, but he has been seeking to go elsewhere for more money.

If Sessions signs an offer sheet from another team, the Bucks would have a seven-day period to match the offer or relinquish his rights.

"I don't know what the Bucks are thinking," Wells said.

The Bucks have rookie point guard Brandon Jennings and veteran Luke Ridnour at the position, in addition to Sessions if he returns. The 6-foot-3 Sessions also can play the shooting guard spot.

Milwaukee recently agreed to a three-year, $7 million contract with 6-9 forward Ersan Ilyasova, who played the past two seasons for Barcelona in the Spanish League.

By Charles F. Gardner, Journal Sentinel

[SuperNova854]

Clippers, Knicks in hot pursuit of Sessions

The pursuit of Ramon Sessions is heating up.

Sessions, the Milwaukee Bucks talented young point guard who is a restricted free agent, is drawing intense interest from the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.

What’s more, it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities a third team — NBA officials at the recent NBA Summer League in Las Vegas speculated Oklahoma City — may make a last-minute attempt to land Sessions as well.

Officials from the Knicks and Clippers contacted Bucks general manager John Hammond Monday and they discussed Sessions’ situation.

Both teams are considering offering Sessions their mid-level exception, which starts at $5.854 million in the first season. The annual salary then can increase each year thereafter by a maximum of eight percent — or $468,000.

It is believed James “Chubby’’ Wells, Sessions’ agent, is looking for a five-year deal that would be worth approximately $34.5 million.
Both the Knicks and Clippers apparently are amenable to that request.

The Clippers have also tossed out the idea of doing a sign and trade with Milwaukee, dangling their trade exception as part of the deal.
The Clippers, Knicks and Bucks are expected to resume talks Tuesday and there are indications a resolution could occur at that time.

Sessions, 23, is regarded as one of the premier young point guards in the NBA. He has already compiled some impressive numbers. To wit:

As a rookie two seasons ago, Sessions set a Bucks’ record by recording 24 assists in a game against the Chicago Bulls.
Last season, in a game against Detroit, Sessions scored 44 points while also registering 12 assists.

Sessions, who was the 56th overall selection in the 2007 NBA draft, averaged 12.4 points, a team-high 5.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season.

He compiled those numbers despite averaging only 27.5 minutes a game.

It’s no secret the Knicks brass has a high regard for Sessions. The Knicks attempted to trade for Sessions last summer, and Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni has told confidants how much he admires Sessions’ game.

Likewise, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy is a big Sessions fan. Dunleavy has been especially impressed with Sessions’ assist-to-turnover ratio.

Sessions was especially impressive in that aspect of the game down the stretch last season. In the Bucks’ final regular-season game, Sessions totaled 12 assists and had just one turnover. In the last 11 games, he totaled 100 assists and had 26 turnovers.

While the Knicks and Clippers have also bandied about possible sign-and-trade scenarios with the Bucks for Sessions, there is strong sentiment among league officials that the Bucks will be extremely reluctant to match a five-year mid-level exception deal.

These same officials claim the Bucks are in a cost-cutting mode and cite two recent Bucks moves: 1) trading small forward Richard Jefferson and his hefty $29 million contract to San Antonio in a three-team transaction and receiving little in return (power forward Amir Johnson from Detroit), and 2) refusing to extend a qualifying offer to restricted free-agent forward Charlie Villanueva, who then signed a five-year, $35 million deal with Detroit.

The Bucks also have two other point guards on their roster: veteran Luke Ridnour, a part-time starter last season, and Brandon Jennings, their top draft pick who played well in the Las Vegas Summer League.

By Gery Woelfel, Journal Times

[FishStickZ]

If the Bucks don't keep Sessions their offseason would be a complete fail.