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Los Angeles Clippers
2007-08 Record: 23-59
Cool 2007 Stat: Chris Kaman was the first American-born white player to average 15 ppg, 12.5 rpg and 2.5 blk/g since Bill Walton in ‘77-’78.
Anticipated Starting Five
PG- Baron Davis
SG- Cuttino Mobley
SF- Al Thornton
PF- Marcus Camby
C- Chris Kaman
Key Reserves: Jason Williams, Eric Gordon, Ricky Davis, Tim Thomas
Biggest Strength – Interior defense & rebounding
6.38 – is the average blocks per game of Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman combined. Those two alone rank higher than 28 TEAMS in the NBA. And the only team better was Camby’s Denver Nuggets. These guys are going to erase a lot of defensive mistakes on the perimeter. They are also solid individual post defenders as well. Those two guys were also the 2nd and 3rd best rebounders on a per game basis. Throw a strong rebounding point guard in the mix, and this team should vastly improve on its 27th worst team rebounding last season.
Biggest Weakness – Chemistry
I actually like this team. Honestly, I think the Clippers are hardest to forecast. They could steal a playoff spot from someone like Dallas who is on the decline or be the picture of mediocrity and inconsistency. The key will be how Baron Davis, the new floor general, and to a lesser degree Marcus Camby, gels with the current cast of characters. If Davis is healthy, the Clippers now have an all-star caliber point guard, defensive player of the year PF in Camby, a developing scorer at small forward, a crafty veteran shooting guard and a very solid center in the starting line-up. They also have decent depth and very good shooters coming off the bench. But can Mike Dunleavy get everyone on the same page and find the right roles for their young players to sneak into the 8th playoff spot?
Key Player in ’08 – Al Thornton
Thornton, who many wanted the Sixers to draft over Thaddeus Young, proved to be quite a good player himself. After the all-star break, he averaged 16 ppg and the only 2 players on the team who had better averages are now in other cities. Suddenly, Thornton is the main scoring option on the team. Baron Davis can score, but he needs other scorers around him to be effective. Kaman can score, but he’s a rebounder. That leaves Thornton as the main scoring option, and how he reacts to that role will be the biggest factor in the Clips’ season.
Their Thaddeus (exciting player 22 or under) – Eric Gordon, 19
In my FIRST post on the blog (found here), it appeared as though the Sixers were headed to the lottery, and the man I wanted us to get was Eric Gordon. Gordon’s draft stock was hurt by his poor performance after Kelvin “No, you really can’t give cash to that recruit” Sampson was ousted. However, “poor” performance really meant that he won the Big-10 scoring title by slightly less than he should have. It’ll be interesting to see how a healthy and focused Gordon does in his first year.
Pete’s 2008 Outlook: 3rd place, Pacific division / 10th place, Western conference / 19th place, NBA
I’ve always liked the Clippers. I think as a Philadelphia fan, I relate to teams that just can’t get over the hump. They will be fun to watch with Baron Davis lobbing it up to the very athletic Al Thornton, Kaman and Camby roaming the paint and Eric Gordon shooting 3’s. But I don’t really see how they are better than Davis’ Warriors from last season, who finished out of the playoffs.
Dannie’s 2008 Outlook: 3rd place, Pacific division / 8th place, Western conference / 14th place, NBA
I might be going out on a limb, but I am putting the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs as the 8th seed. I like this team. They have a solid front court to battle with the bigs in the West. They have a proven point guard. They have a nice mix of veterans and talented young players. With the addition of Ricky Davis, Eric Gordon and Steve Novak, the Clippers should also improve on their 29th ranked three-point shooting this season. Health is a concern, but if Kaman and Davis can stay on the court, this team will compete every night. I agree with Pete, the X-factor will be the play of Al Thorton. If he improves on his second-half play last season the Clippers fans will quickly get over the theft of Elton Brand by our own 76ers.
Philly Connection: Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas is living proof that attitude is almost as important as skill. Thomas was in Philly twice, and twice was a disapointment. He came to Villanova as probably the most heralded recruit in the school’s history. He brought with him expectations of being the player that could finally lead Villanova back to the Final Four. Unfortuntely, they had a worse record than the prior season and only made it to the 2nd round with Thomas looking disinterested much of the time. In the NBA, the Sixers traded the rights to the 2nd overall pick to acquire Thomas from the Nets. Once again, Thomas did nothing to improve the team and has since been on 5 different teams, each time doing just enough to get that next contract.
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I think I agree with you guys. These Clippers are really hard to read! Kaman and Camby is a weird combination, have we seen anything like it really? A weaker form of the Spur’s twin towers? Regardless, with Baron Davis running the point (one of my favorite players) this team should be fun to watch. The 8th playoff spot is defintely within reach.
OMG Eagles play the dreaded Cowboys in just a few days, and our Friday web update is the Clippers??
donnelly – i dont think we are anyone’s go-to source for Eagles info. We love them, but they are covered just fine. In fact, ESPN thinks its 2005 and is publishing stories about TO talking about McNabb! OH MY GOD!! REALLY ESPN!!! THATS GREAT JOURNALISM!!!!! I hope CNN runs a story tonight about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky!!!!!
how do you guys think THIS team would have finished….
PG- Baron Davis
SG- Cuttino Mobley
SF- Al Thornton
PF – Elton Brand
C – Chris Kaman
I’m thinking 7th seed
Calm down Donnelly, go read every other sports website/blog in the world if you want more of the same ole TO and the Cowgirls vs. the Eagles coverage. I only speak for myself, but it’s played out to me and the topic is saturated. I just want to watch the football game, I think enough talking has been done.
If Pete wants to write something about it I am sure he will.
With Elton Brand on that team with B. Diddy I think they are 7th as well, jumping over Phoenix. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Gordon in the starting line-up if he is shooting the ball from 3pt. range. He was a strong defender in college when he wanted to be, looking forward to seeing how that translates.
Clips – present day equivalent of 70s Buffalo Braves. Lot of talent, lot of wheel spinning. Braves had Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith, Jim McMillan, Jack Marin, Ernie DiGregorio, Adrian Dantley, Moses Malone (’76 – 2 gms, 6 min, 1 rb, 1 pf, 0 pts), Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight, Gar Heard, Swen Nater, Elmore Smith. Bob Kauffman and John Shumate along the way. Never got over the hump. Oh, they are the Clippers! Transplanted. Via San Diego. Am still rootin’ for this underdog outfit. Baron Davis can take over a game; fun to watch when he gets it goin’.
Like Coach Dunleavy too (since his South Carolina Gamecocks
playing days in early 70s under Frank McGuire, Warrior coach of 50.4 pg Wilt).
I agree. I dont think there is anyone out there who would say the clips lineup is better off with camby in stead of brand, maybe some bitter clips fans but thats just foolish.
Its funny, during the PHX review I mentioned the probables for the 7th and 8th, didnt even consider the clips. After this post and a little thought I wouldnt be suprised if they we’re in. Thats a solid of starting frontcourt, and BD has been known to drop 30,15,15 every once in a while. I dont know much about the rest of the roster, except I wouldnt count on Cat or TT to be stellar. Like you said its going to be about games missed and cohesion. With that, I wouldnt be suprised if they we’re on the bottom rung of the NBA either.
@PETE and DANNIE
I bet you are going to do the Sixers last aren’t you. I dont know if I can stand the wait. 1st place Atlantic, 1st place Eastern Conference, 1st place NBA?!? Thats what I’d put but Im probably dreaming.
Also, thanks for taking the time. If I didnt have the posts and everyones comments to read my day would a hell of alot more boring. I dont think I have been as anxious for a season to start in my life.
Ryan -
Yeah, Sixers will be last. And we’ll probably do a little more for them.
jjg-
i have an Elton Brand Buffalo Braves bobble head. Got it a couple years ago. now its even better than it was then!
Dannie & Pete– once again great job with the analysis. The L.A Clippers are an interesting team based on the roster they have and are hard to read. For the Clippers, it is a matter of chemistry and do see what Mike Dunleavy Sr. can do. They have quite a defensive frountcourt in Kaman and Camby. It is also the question of how affective can the bench be.
Weaknesses: Management
– they’re cheap and that can turn fans off in a sense of determining whether they are committed to winning and whether they do not want to be the Lakers doorstep or floormat.
-a lot of Clippers went on to become better players once they became FAs.
Hollywood (distractions/drama)
-Baron Davis is a filmmaker, producer, and director
-Sterling v.s Dunleavy
Let us not forget that the Clippers have Brian Skinner back in the fold for a second stint with the Clips. A former Sixer as well!!
The Warriors and the Clippers have had big offseasons and have some connections with one another, including swapping players (through free agency):
http://www.reclinergm.com/2008-09-nba-preview-golden-state-warriors/
Some Philly fans can relate to the Clipper fans in terms of getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment of “No Respect”. It’s incredible how time flies after being a one year wonder in 05-06. Also incredible that at two points recently, the Clippers had a better record than the Lakers (04-05 and 05-06).
There is something though interesting about this team. Sure, they will still be the Lakers floormat, but the rivalry will be a little more interesting. It would be cool if the Clippers do get the #8 seed so then a possible matchup with the Lakers would be awesome. An all LA affair in the playoffs has never happened before. It was close in 05-06 until the the Suns beat the Lakers in Seven games and lost a 3-1 series lead to the Suns. Billy Crystal was so excited if that ever occurred that he called it, “The Hallway Series”.
One day, I will be like Billy Crystal and sign a one-day contract and give the money to charity at the end. Who is the Clippers mascot? I think Billy Crystal should be. A loyal fan even in the worst of times.
On a separate note, the Sixers will sweep the Clippers (2-0). Even though the team will not likely admit out loud and same with Elton Brand, you know mentally they want to win those two for the new teammate and former Clipper. Oh yeah, Andre Miller was a Clipper as well. Brand and Miller will most likely hear boos, especially for the way in how Brand did not become a Clipper. That is still up in the air, but I think his agent David Falk really played hardball and did a great job of getting Brand to the Sixers. Hopefully, the most loyal and respectful fans, will give Brand an ovation and will wish him the best of luck. I think in the series against the Clippers, Iggy will play big. I don’t know if anyone on the Clippers team can match or defend him.
Overall, for the L.A Clippers, they will be 3rd in the Pacific, but 9th in the West!!
Do you think you could go to the East next? - Just to mix it up a little, i’m a trifle disinterested in Western teams
Pete, you bring up a good question with “how good would the Clippers have been”. I’d put them even higher, at the 6th seed. I think Brand is not an ideal go-to-guy for a team, but think he’d be by far the most effective with a ball dominating PG like a Baron Davis, Arenas or Iverson being the star of the backcourt.
Chris Kaman REALLY came on last year…Thornton is their Thad Young up and comer, and I think Eric Gordon is going to make teams look very dumb for letting him slip to #7. Baron was healthy last year and had a very strong year, and can put an entire team on his shoulders when he wants…just think this team would have been real strong and could make the 2nd round.
I think the Sixers will split the series, 1-1. LA is going to boo the sh*t out of Elton Brand for pulling a Benedict Arnold on them…his reason is still “when I called the owner, he didn’t pick up, so I went to Philly.” Obviously there was more behind the scenes, but can you imagine if he said that in Philadelphia? You left a TEAM because the owner happened to miss a friggin phone call? He’d get fried here. I think the Clippers will win it out of vengeance…plus Baron is one of the few players with the potential to be a one man offensive wrecking ball against our team.
Matto – You are right on. We are alternating between a Western Conference Division then Eastern Conference Division. Once we finish up with Sacramento, we are moving on to the Southeast Division.
i don’t know about this one. to me, this Clips team looks more like a fantasy team than a real one. they have a lot of guys who duplicate eachothers strengths. they have a lot of scorers, but they’re all on-the-ball me-first types. their backcourt is quite old, and unless Baron is really fired up and focused, their perimeter defense will be very suspect. their bench is old, thin, and filled with guys that have had major chemistry issues throughout their careers.
i’m not saying their isn’t a lot of talent on that roster, because there is. any number of those guys could be solid contributors or really good teams. but on the same team? i just don’t see it.
Pete, That’s nuthin’. I have an Elgin Baylor doll doin’ a reverse-logic layup - pull the string and he makes the wrong draft pick. Also have a Jack Ramsey swimming cap with the Braves logo on each side.
As an IU alum and self-professed Eric Gordon follower, I have to chime in about the Sampson comment. He never paid players. I’m not trying cut Sampson some slack, after all he did my ruin my school’s program last season and of course for this year. But it’s unfair to label him as a “cash under the table” type of recruiter/coach. I mean, it’s not like this was similar to Chris Webber or even the more recent Reggie Bush shenanigans.
Did you know that the Clippers have three guys named “Davis”? (Baron, Ricky, and Paul). When in NBA history has a team had three or more players with the same last name?