30 Teams in 30 Days: Los Angeles Clippers

2007-2008 in Review

Record: 23-59
Western Conference Seed: 12

Summer of 2008

Key Additions: Baron Davis (via free agency), Marcus Camby (via trade), Eric Gordon (via draft), Ricky Davis (via free agency), Brian Skinner (via free agency), DeAndre Jordan (via draft), Jason Hart (via trade), Mike Taylor (via draft).

Key Losses: Elton Brand (via free agency), Corey Maggette (via free agency), Shaun Livingston (via free agency), Brevin Knight (via trade), Josh Powell (via free agency), Quinton Ross (via free agency), Smush Parker (via free agency), Dan Dickau (via free agency – left for Europe), Aaron Williams (via free agency).

Where to begin?

Entering the summer of 2008, the Clippers had a large list of tasks to attack—the first and most important being to put forth an effort to re-sign Elton Brand.

However, Elgin Baylor and company had bigger plans than to just retain Brand. Following the renouncing of Corey Maggette’s rights, along with five others (highlighted by Shaun Livingston), two-time All-Star point guard Baron Davis verbally agreed to sign a five-year, $65-million deal with the Clippers.

The acquisition of the hometown stud drenched Clipper Nation with hope, as the word on the street suggested that Brand’s contract was forthcoming.

That’s where the trouble started.

Part two of the Clippers’ master plan didn’t quite go as well as expected. In fact, it reached the worst possible scenario, as Brand signed an $82 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 9. The next day, Davis officially inked his deal, and the dream of pairing him with Brand had been demolished.

Despite the disappointment, most publicly voiced by head coach Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers were able to put together an array of counter-moves to set the team up for as much success as possible.

On July 15, the Denver Nuggets absolutely shocked the basketball world by trading 2006-207 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby to the Clippers in exchange for the right to swap 2010 second-round draft picks, and a trade exception worth an approximate total of $10 million.

Yes, you read that correctly—and yes, that was the full deal. Marcus Camby, who has just two years remaining on his deal as it is, was acquired for a bag of chips and a postcard.

That wasn’t it, either. On July 28, the club announced the signing of high-scoring swingman Ricky Davis, who signed a two-year deal—the second year a player option—worth approximately $4.7 million total.

“Ricky D” put together a semi-disappointing contract season with Miami in '07-08, but with that situation all mapped out, can you blame him? The fact of the matter is this—Davis’ motto is “get buckets,” and that’s exactly what he’s going to do in LA.

To help strengthen the frontcourt, the club also brought in 32-year-old veteran Brian Skinner to relieve Camby and Chris Kaman at the five-spot. The 6’9’’ center brings professionalism, length, and an extremely active shot-blocking presence to provide stable interior insurance with the second unit.

Changes were also made via trade, as they dealt guard Brevin Knight to Utah for former Clipper guard Jason Hart. In 23 games for the Clippers in 2007, Hart held averages of nine points, four assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per contest in over 32 minutes per.

The seven-year vet struggled to find success in Utah last season, but if he can return to 2007 form for the Clippers this coming season, the deal should be worth it, considering Knight’s displeasure and erratic attitude in Clipper Land.

Shortly after, LA acquired long-range sniper Steve Novak from Houston for the right to exchange 2011 second-round draft picks.

The next day, on August 7, the Clippers signed 33-year-old guard Jason Williams to handle the backup point guard duties behind Baron Davis. At the time, it looked like a reasonably cheap and worthwhile signing—but all of that changed 50 days later, when “White Chocolate” surprisingly announced his retirement from the NBA.

So much for that.

However, an ultra-promising guard was obtained on draft day to nullify the loss (if we can call it that) of Williams. With the seventh overall pick in June’s draft, the Clippers selected Indiana’s Eric Gordon, who is well known for his unlimited shooting range and freakish explosiveness.

He may be a bit undersized for the two and he may not possess the necessary skills to run the point for extended minutes in the NBA, but he’s a flat out dynamite scorer. If you give him a centimeter of space, he’s going to use his quick release to punish you.

The 6’3’’ Forrest Whitaker look-alike may need some time to harness his talent, but with time and proper tutelage, Clipper Nation could have a more-explosive Ben Gordon on their hands.

Another high-upside draft night acquisition was DeAndre Jordan, who was taken 35th overall by the Clippers after momentarily holding the hype of a Dwight Howard twin. After Jordan’s mightily-disappointing freshman season at Texas A&M, that was all thrown out the window, but as a second-round flyer, there’s nothing to complain about. The Anaheim Arsenal certainly aren’t complaining about his prospects, either.

Perhaps an additional second-round sleeper was acquired from Portland (surprise, surprise) on draft night in Mike Taylor. More often than not, the 55th overall pick in the draft isn’t going to amount to anything in the NBA. However, Taylor may have a real shot to succeed in the NBA.

Summer league is just that, summer league, but Taylor impressed with his quickness, athleticism, and admirable activity on both ends of the floor out in Vegas a couple of months ago.

In 39 games for the NBDL’s Idaho Stampede this past season, Taylor put his well-rounded game on display with averages of 14.5 PPG, 4.3 APG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.3 SPG on an efficient 48.2% shooting clip. Don’t be entirely surprised if the former Iowa State Cyclone is the next D-League success story.

That about covers the Clippers’ monstrous 2008 offseason overhaul. Be prepared for an entirely different attitude and style of play from this team in 2009.

Depth Chart

C: Chris Kaman / Brian Skinner / DeAndre Jordan
PF: Marcus Camby / Tim Thomas / Paul Davis
SF: Al Thornton / Ricky Davis / Steve Novak
SG: Cuttino Mobley / Eric Gordon
PG: Baron Davis / Jason Hart / Mike Taylor

Biggest Strength: Interior Defense

When you combine last season’s rebounding numbers of Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman, you come up with an average of 25.8 rebounds per game, with 19.8 of them coming from the defensive glass. If you combine the interior duo’s shot blocking numbers, you come up with an accumulative average of 6.4 blocks per game, which falls just 0.3 BPG short of tying Denver’s league-leading team average in 07-08.

Those numbers speak for themselves. The psychological advantage and intimidation factor of having Camby and Kaman on the floor together should force the opposition to think twice, or even three times, before charging the basket against the Clippers.

The Clippers? Intimidating? Who’d have thunk it?

Biggest Weakness: Chemistry

Let’s face it—the Clippers underwent a gigantic overhaul this past summer. Just five players are returning from last season’s roster, and at least five or six newcomers are expected to be a part of this year’s regular rotation.

With that in mind, you’re going to have to expect an adjustment period before this team starts playing up to its full potential. Even Baron Davis noted that things would initially be “bumpy.”

This team is full of both fulfilled and untapped talent, but you might want to lower your expectations a bit if you’re expecting “the other LA team” to come out of the gate clicking on all cylinders.

X-Factor: Health

Baron Davis appeared in all 82 regular-season games for Golden State last year, but let’s not completely dismiss the following two factors:

a)  Davis has a reputation of “health issues” following the completion of signing a lucrative contract.

b)  Although “B-Diddy” suited up for all 82 in 07-08, he only played an average of 54.3 games throughout the previous three seasons.

In addition to that, you’ve got Chris Kaman, who despite his marvelous '07-08 campaign, missed 26 games due to various injuries to the right ankle, left shin, and lower back.

Then there’s Marcus Camby, who has only been able to put together three seasons of 70-plus games played since being drafted second overall by Toronto in 1996.

Even rookie sharpshooter Eric Gordon has suffered injuries in his freshman year at Indiana, 2008 summer league, and his first NBA training camp.

If these guys can keep healthy, they could have an exciting Western Conference competitor. However, the possibility of another injury-riddled year is far from out of the question.

What to Expect In 2008-2009

The new-look Clippers could very well be a low-seeded playoff team in 2009, but in the same breath, they could miss the postseason altogether. Expect the potentially relevant Clips to fall in the sixth-to-tenth seed range, with the downside of another late-lottery selection and the upside of a hard-fought first-round exit.

No matter what, you’ll no longer cringe or grunt when the Clippers are on. Hell, you might just develop the desire to tune in.

2008-2009 Predictions

41-41
Third in Pacific Division
Ninth in Western Conference

Coming Soon: Los Angeles Lakers