By swiping Baron Davis off of the free agent market Tuesday night, the Clippers officially announced their presence in the Wild West and put pressure on the Lakers for the title of Best Team In Los Angeles.
(*sound of tires screeching*)
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. What?
By swiping Baron Davis off of the free agent market Tuesday night, the Clippers officially announced their presence in the Wild West and put pressure on the Lakers for the title of Best Team In Los Angeles?
Really?
That's what everybody says.
Take it from me, an unabashed Lakers fan: I'm not worried about the Clippers. At all.
Yeah, the Clippers have B. Diddy now, and are likely to retain the services of Elton Brand as well (although it's not a lock). That gives them a starting lineup of Baron, Cuttino Mobley, Al Thornton, EB, and Chris Kaman, which is probably good for 48-wins and a playoff berth.
But enough to shake up the West and make Kobe nervous?
Maybe we all need to calm down for a second here.
At press time, Tim Thomas, Quentin Ross, and Brevin Knight are the only proven NBA players the Clippers would have coming off of the pine. I don't even think I have to say anything. Also, how willing will El Beardo be to feed the two big men down low? What about sophomore forward Thornton, a natural scorer? Will he get enough touches to progress in his second year?
I think Baron left the ideal situation for him in Golden State. Point guards are supposed to think pass-first, pass-second, and then shoot, and shoot-first lead guards like Davis and Stephon Marbury traditionally have trouble harnessing their more dominant, selfish traits and meshing their talents with that of the team.
In Oakland, this was not a problem for Baron. Everybody got to shoot as much as they wanted. The Warriors are the most liberated team in basketball, Nellie giving his team of scorers full offensive freedom, just like he did in Dallas. It's glorified Rucker Park. The beauty of it is the lack of structure. Baron thrived in that environment. He got to do whatever he wanted.
But now he's once again going to be asked to run a traditional, half-court offense. He's a great player and will make the Clippers much better, but his style of play could end up lowering their ceiling at the same time.
Also, can he stay healthy? He played all 82 games in a contract year last season, but prior to that he hadn't played more than 67 games in a season since 2002. I love the guy, but I wouldn't put money on him playing a full season again. Can the Clippers survive 25 games without their best player?
At best, I think the Clippers finish in the bottom half of the Western Conference playoff picture with some combination of Portland, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, and Denver. Utah and New Orleans will be better, and the Lakers are still the cream of the crop.
Oh, yeah, the Lakers. Do you really think Kobe is going to let the Clippers take the city? Ever? Over his dead body.
But the Clippers biggest obstacle? Themselves! They're the Clippers! They're the Los Angeles Clippers, ladies and gentlemen. Let's not forget that little detail! They've had one good season, like, ever. With them, seeing is definitely believing.
comments (17) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
About running the Half court system with B-diddy. Of course he can run that kind of offense. The picture he got with the Warriors doesn't seem like he can effectively run the system, but he definitely can with that strong body of his. Plus, nobody has really seen him play on a half-court "San Antonio" type team, so you can't just throw out random judgments. I tell you man, he's stubborn as hell and if he wants to succeed in any system as a point guard, HE WILL.
Solid article though.
3 months ago
Of course the Lakers aren't scared. Who cares? It's about the Clippers putting together a team that can compete. Get over yourselves Laker fans.
from 3 months ago
ESPN is trying to make it Lakers v. Clippers.
3 months ago
#1 - I agree with Phil. The Clippers are trying to build a team to compete in the NBA not against the Lakers.
#2 - It only seems to be Laker fans/writers making that claim.
#3 - "Do you really think Kobe is going to let the Clippers take the city? Ever? Over his dead body." I guess you don't count two seasons ago when Kobe evidently did...
3 months ago
Do you ever talk negatively about dead-weight, Caucasoid players? You jealousA$$ whitefolk, kill me, mad at Black players skills. When players, like Scott Pollar and Brian Scalabrine, couldn't even dress for one game, enroute to the championship, which they'll sport (undeserved) rings for, starting next season.
__________________________________________
Where are the stories about Wally Sczerbiak's dead-weight, good for nothing A$$?
Where's the piece on *Mike Deadweight Dunleavy* and his lack of 'heart & pounds' needed, to EVER be impactive ---for a long term--- in the NBA?
Where are the stories about Steve Nash, the first player to ever be rewarded with MVP awards ---for being INCAPABLE of defending his position, on the NBA-level?
Where are the stories about the Caucasoid-Cowards, on The Lakers, who didn't have the Heart needed to compete against the Celtics?
Where are the stories on Mike D'Antoni getting constantly rewarded, for accomplishing, not a damn thing...while provenly intrepid Black coaches like Avery Johnson sit/wondering if he'll be given a chance to coach again?
...it's no wonder this site ---uninformatively--- scrutinized The Black woman who filed a racial-discrimination suit vs. NASCAR
__________________________________________
Plus, the next time you think to criticize/talk gibberish about how many million$ some Black player like G. Arenas or A. Jamison or Josh Smith receives? Just take some time out TO FAIRLY mention, how many more mega millions the Caucasoid Team-owners rake in, in order to pay out those player's contracts;
that dent the Caucasoid Team-owner's pockets, like...entertainment money us ordinary folk spend at the mall on a Saturday.
from 3 months ago
What the hell are you talking about? I have no idea what you're talking about.
For what it's worth, I'm black.
3 months ago
Sam Cassell is hardly a pass first point guard, and he had the best year of his career in 05-06 with the Clippers who just happened to take the town from Kobe that year.
Baron Davis is twice the talent Cassell is. Elton Brand flourished with a healthy Cassell, I believe Davis can only make EB that much better.
Guys like Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley... they thrive when in a good situation. Don't forget the MLE will be available to spend on a crop full of veteran role players (Kurt Thomas, Bonzi Wells, Jannero Pargo) One or two of those kind of guys could be had. Don't think the building stops at Baron Davis and Elton Brand. The Clippers appear to be committed these last 4 years or so.
And this is coming from a Lakers fan.
from 3 months ago
Cassell knew where the ball needed to go first and how to run that team. He took on more of a selfish-mentality with Boston, I think, because he didn't get as much time and when he came in he was just trying to score real fast because he felt it was the best contribution he could make in a short period of action. I also think he was kind of delusional.
And the Clippers will never beat a Kobe Bryant-led Lakers team in a seven-game series. Ever.
3 months ago
Just because the LA Clippers snaged davis, it doesn't solve their problems. They barley won 20 games last season, and now their finals contenders? please.
from 3 months ago
Only point I was trying to make, really. I just don't think signing Davis should've been as big a story as it was. He's a great player but let's just calm down for a second. They're still the Clippers and even with Baron they still have a lot of issues.
from 3 months ago
Actually, Davis does exatcly that: solves the PG situation. Considering that they were using Brevin Knight/Dan Dickau at the 1, and Brand being injured for all but 8 games, it's a wonder they even got 23 wins in a stacked western conference. With Baron Davis on board, and Elton Brand coming back, they will be a lot more competitive. No one expects them to be automatic locks for the finals, but they should be more fun to watch.
3 months ago
Maybe it's time for the fourth move in franchise history. KC '09, anyone?
3 months ago
I hear you and I don't necessarily disagree with all you are saying, but I think the key factor left out is not what other people are saying, but what the players themselves are saying. Baron Davis flat out refused any offers from the Clippers a few years ago. Now he wants in -- spurred by the play of Brand and Kamen -- and Sterling's move in the last 2 years (contrary to the other 25 years) to make the Clippers a winning franchise. They just opened a state-of-the-art practice facility which took 2 years to build and will be in use for the first time this season. Both Brand and Davis have passed up on $17+ million payouts --- and Brand is willing to re-sign for less money. Yes, last year was a bust, and not to make excuses but the Clippers were heavily injured. It's not like -- "well, other teams had injuries too," -- the injury days for the Clippers last year dwarfed the next closest injury plagued team astronomically and in fact set an NBA record. Again, I don't think the Clipper's are set to dominate -- but if they make another pick up or two, which they are planning to do, AND stay healthy -- they WILL be competitive next year. Will they beat the Lakers? I don't think that is their goal and besides, it looks like Boston already figured that one out. Ouch.
3 months ago
Um...the Clippers will still be terrible next season. The only good players they have are Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Chris Kaman, and Eric Gordon.
I doubt that Baron Davis will fit in with Mike Dunleavy's system of play. Davis is overrated. He just jacks up stupid shots. That's why they didn't make the playoffs this year and why they lost 4-1 to the Jazz last year.
3 months ago
allen iverson won an Mvp didnt he....hes never been able to guard his position. lol ever
3 months ago
wow, Brandon, I must've really cut deep with the *dead-weight Caucasoid players* reality I posted about huh?
Not only did you have an empty reservoir, for addressing that reality, but...it caused you to go reaching like 'Reed Richards' and falsely claim that Allen Iverson can't guard his position.
I suggest you try watching/recalling recent history of this one league, called *NBA BASKETBALL* , then...you might be able to find out THE FACT that Allen Iverson has been named to All-NBA Defensive teams, more than once. And, has lead the league in steals, more than once.
Whereas, Steve Nash?
...I won't even laugh!
But, I will say, that Mark Cuban obviously knew what the deal was.
When he more than welcomed Steve Nash ---to beat it!--- when his dead-weight was hindering The Mavs from getting anywhere. Fortunately, the defensive guard Jason Terry, was able to come in and quarterback that squad into a much better playoff performance than Nash could ever dream of.
It'll be even worse now, in Phoenix, considering the defensive-minded Terry Porter is now at the helm over there. Wait 'til he realizes that there's no help for Nash. I wonder who will be 'let go of' first?
3 months ago
For the record, Allen Iverson has never made an All-Defensive team, despite leading the league in steals three times. Just because you get steals doesn't mean you're a great defensive player.
And when he won the two MVP's, Bill Simmons, who's white, took to pointing out Steve Nash's shortcomings all of the time.
It's not a black vs. white thing. Baron Davis is one of my favorite people in the league, although I don't know him we're both from Los Angeles and he seems like a great guy. Just thought some people were starting to get carried away with Clippers; yeah, they have Baron now, sounds good, will probably be good, but they still have a lot of concerns, and I just wanted to point them out in the article.
write a new comment