first impressions: Clipper scrimmage

by clippers#1 on Oct 4, 2008 7:50 PM PDT Comment 9 comments

In lieu of ClipperSteve being at ClipperMax's soccer game, I offer these Clipper first impressions from their open-to-public scrimmage at Camp Pendleton Semper Fit gym:

Was that Sam Cassell standing courtside? No kidding, behind the Clippers' bench stood a man with a gray t-shirt, gym shorts, basketball shoes and an egg-shaped, bald head who looked exactly like Sam at first, second and third glance except it was a marine private-or-lieutenant. Everyone behind the Clippers's bench was talking about the resemblance, and I even noticed even Chris Kamen and Tim Thomas talking about Sam's look-a-alike before tip-off.

When I got done with my double takes of the Cassell's twin, a fan with a Golden State uniform walked through the gym door, which of course had Baron Davis number. It made me wonder what type comments I would have received if I wore my Felton jersey instead of my long-sleeve Clipper shirt, especially when taking photos with Clipper players and my eight-month old son. That would have made for some humorous moments. Should have done it!

My son's photo with Kamen, Davis, and others completed a life cycle journey for me as my dad took my to Buffalo Braves games as a kid, and I have a photo of my dad holding me up to a 7-foot center named Jim McDaniel. have to say I found all the Clipper players friendly, especially Tim Thomas and BD, in my 10 seconds with most players (it would have been all except the wife and I had an argument1). BD made several goofy faces at my son, who just stared down the Clippers' newest star without a response, while Thomas was the only played to hold my son and chatted with him. He also seemed to be a fan favorite of those seeking photos and authographs.

Now on to the scrimmage... Two Clippers who looked sharp in their return to the Clippers were Brian Skinner and Jason Hart. Skinner had a one-hand slam of an offensive rebound, aggressively blocked a dunk attempt by another Clipper and swished his only 15-foot jump shot, while Hart capable commanded the blue squad's offense and hit several jumpers, making me thankfully not think about Brevin Knight's outside shot. BD, the other Clipper making a return to LA, did not stand out as one would expect of an all-star, yet Kamen, rookie David Noel (a long-shot to make the roster who otherwise looked solid by hitting two jumpers) and perhaps others blew easy shots or were called for traveling from Davis' on-the-spot passes.

As for signs of a possible more up-tempo Clipper offens? BD did push the ball up the court whenever possible, yet he was playing with Kamen, Mobley, P.Davis, TThomas, Steve Novak and DeAndre Jordan (rather than Ricky Davis or Al Thorton) and I don't remember any points off fast break from BD's white squard, who I think ended up winning the 40-minute scrimmage. Other first impressions: Kamen controlled the defensive boards in absence of Camby (flu past few days); Mobley was called for traveling three times; Paul Davis looked like he could crack the rotation again by connecting on four or five jumpers while never-ever-ever showing a single emotion; Ricky Davis and Al Thorton, as expected, showed flashed of offense; and Steve Novak connected on the majority his outside shots while looking otherwise one-dimensional.

Overall, the Clippers collectively looked sort of raggedy--which would be expected after a week of practice--and it is way too early to judge their performance. However, the sight of so many outside shots made from the perimeter is definitely a good sign of things to come. BD hit a sweet turn-around 20-footer from the corner and a three-pointer, and though BD did not stand out in this scrimmage, his leadership was evident in communicating with players about mishaps on the court. That has to a good sign, too. One humorous moment was a prank by rookie Mike Taylor, who called rookie Deandre to come back to the bench from the scorer's table and asst. Kim Hughes had to send Jordan back.

Go clippers!

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Good to hear

would be cool if Jason Hart and Brian Skinner had career years. But it was only a scrimmage so who knows. And the rust is to be expected hopefully it will have worn off by Tuesday so we can kick some laker butt.

by bestclipfan on Oct 4, 2008 11:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Great trip report. I wasn’t able to make it, had a long night on Friday so I didn’t wake up until 7pm today, oops. I’m really excited to see some Clipper action soon.

by supac on Oct 5, 2008 1:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My Prediction: Jason Hart will have a career year...

For four reasons:

1) he is in a contract year.
2) he had a terrible year in Utah – he wants (and needs) to show it was an aberration.
3) he said in his post trade interviews that he was grateful the Clips brought him back to LA and intended to repay their efforts.
4) JWill retiring gives Hart a window of opportunity to show that he deserves to be the #2 PG. It stands to reason that he plans to take advantage of the opening by playing his butt off so the Clips don’t have to go get someone else.

I’m not saying he’s going to be an all-star, but I think he will exceed our modest expectations – perhaps by a lot. Which would be nice.

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein

by Another son of Mike Smith on Oct 5, 2008 10:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What's a career year for Jason Hart?

That’s the question. Can’t be too much, or too impressive. AsoMS is exactly right in his breakdown. The retirement of JWill and the Heat signing Liv have given him an opportunity, where he will get the nod over rookie Mike Taylor and should get a healthy portion of backup minutes. Let’s hope he has worked hard, made some steady improvement, and makes the most of them.

by citizen zhiv on Oct 5, 2008 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great report

This report is very welcome and appreciated.

Some notes: Camby’s absence is a bummer. People are getting sick; it seems to be going around. It was too bad that Camby wasn’t able to participate, to get that first glance at the two big men on the court.

How did Jordan play? In some ways he’s the most intriguing of the new Clippers, and that’s saying something.

All of those traveling calls on Mobley obviously won’t happen when real play starts. I wonder if Mobley is in great shape, rested and healed, like he was at the beginning of the year last season. He can still be extremely effective if he is completely healthy.

No comment on Ricky Davis. Tim Thomas is known for being a really nice guy, the friend of fans at every place where he has been a disappointment as a player. But we have lots of hope that he’s going to be great as a role player off the bench. The fewer minutes he plays, the higher quality of those minutes. And it’s good to see that Skinner was impressive—he’s going to be a strong, solid force I think.

The comments on Paul Davis (Davis3) are intriguing. Does it seem like he is 100% recovered from the knee injury. A lot of people around here know that you don’t want me to get started with hopes for contributions and a good year from Paul Davis. Right now I’d be happy to have DJordan easily beat him out (and be great), and for him to be the 14th man and never play. Will leave it there for now.

Novak is always going to be one-dimensional. But as long as those shots go in almost every time, and he gets open enough to make them, that’s all he has to do. And let him make them in the absence of EGordon, the other conspicuously absent Clipper.

Kaman. What is there to say? Looking forward to another crazy year from the lovable big lug. And lastly… who’s missing… Al Thornton! Seems that he wasn’t so impressive that he was the headliner.

by citizen zhiv on Oct 5, 2008 4:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone konow

if camby made it to practice today?

by KillaClip on Oct 5, 2008 7:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Reply to Citizen zhiv

Few reflections on the very raw rookie Jordan:

Statline was: one block, one turn around J and a highlight one-hand dunk at the buzzer to show his killer athleticism. Maybe, some solid D. Yet, what is most frustrating about the raw rookie is he never showed his bouncy athletic ability except for the block and buzzer dunk. Granted, it was a scrimmage, and he got about half of the 40 minutes, but he seemed like a guy who has always been able coasted on his talent, rather than play agressive, hard-nose in-the-post basketball.

Sad to say Zhiv, Davis3 looked a lot more effective out there and aware of what he was doing. I could see MDsr feeling more productivity from Davis3. Skinner was way better than Jordan, too. He’s a beast, while Jordan seems more a lamb. I don’t see Davis3 as 14th on the bench. Sorry to disappoint you.

As for what to expect for Jordan? i mentioned in earlier post that he showed his youthful naivvete by letting a FELLOW ROOKIE, Mike Taylor call him back from scorer’s table!!! Taylor is lightning quick. One thing to read it, another to see it. Finally, another faux pau from Jordan, and maybe this wasn’t his fault. The big guy thought he heard a whistle on a fast break, wide open dunk when apparently there was no whistle. SHIT, slam it anyway, rookie! Duh!!!!!

Overall, I imagine he’s happy to be in NBA and feels sort of an entitlement for a 7-foot athletic big man, even for a 2nd round pick. I would be surprised to see much out of Jordan this year, though maybe MDsr. assistants can work miracles. He did seem a hit with the early 20’s ladies, though.

That’s probably more than you wanted to know on Jordan…or Davis3.

by clippers#1 on Oct 5, 2008 10:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the report!

It’s amazing that so little has been written about this game. It does not seem that Dillman or Shelburne made it down there. Ralph mentioned that Al scored 16 in limited minutes in the scrimmage in his Mailbag at Clippers.com. And that’s it. That’s what we’ve heard.

In case you’re wondering, ClipperZoe’s team won 6-0 and ClipperMax’s team won 6-1, so it was a good day of AYSO soccer for this coach. Except I was suffering from the flu bug that got Camby.

In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. - Elwood P. Dowd

by Steve Perrin on Oct 8, 2008 2:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You must coach U8 or up?

First season coaching for me…coaching my daughter’s U6 team…we’ve gotten blown out in everygame, except the last one we had on Saturday…my daughter was our sole offense, scored 4 goals, but the other team had way too many offensive weapons and our Suns-type D didn’t help matters…

"Duck, Crab. Crab, Duck"
Roger Sterling - Mad Men

by Lawler's Law on Oct 9, 2008 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs