If you live in the LA area....
by clipschamps
on Aug 15, 2008 11:10 PM PDT
Just wanted to give all clipper nation a heads up. If anybody lives near UCLA, a bunch of nba players play there every afternoon Monday to Thursday from about 3:30 to 5pm. Anybody can come watch on the sidelines and you get to stand like 3 feet away from them. These are just some of the players ive seen play there: Cat Mobley, Jason Hart, Shaun Livingston, zach randolph, andre miller, michael olowokandi, paul davis, baron davis, kevin garnett, keith closs(no joke), paul pierce, russell westbrook, jordan farmar, danny granger, emeka okafor, al thornton, al harrington, sam cassell, oj mayo, kevin love and a lot more i cant remember. Also for whatever reason the entire clipper coaching staff( MD sr, kim hughes elgin baylor etc) are there everyday watching the games as well. Maybe they are eyeing their next free agent signing? Anyways if you come to UCLA, go to the Student Activities Center and the gym is on the second floor. The only downside is you can't take pics or film anything, but its just like free summer league bball with real nba players.
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more info
http://dailybruin.com/news/2007/jul/30/sac_attracts_worldwide_talent_summer_pickup_games/
Heres a link from the school newspaper talking about the nba pickup games.
by clipschamps on Aug 15, 2008 11:15 PM PDT 0 recs
Livingston
How has he looked? How is his mobility and lift? Has he bulked up any?
by supac on Aug 15, 2008 11:30 PM PDT 0 recs
livingston
He was there last Thursday. Still looks very rusty, as he got the ball stolen a couple times. Didn’t really do much, just distributed the ball here and there. He was one of the tallest players on the court, but still looked hesistant to take it to the basket. I definitely didnt see any sign of the injury tho. He wasnt favoring one leg or anything like that and he looks 100% recovered from the injury. He is still skinny as hell. My friend who doesn’t follow the nba much was in disbelief when I told him that livingston played for the clippers becuase he said that there was no way a player could be that skinny. I also saw him and dunleavy talk for a lil bit on the sidelines, and it seems as if they hadnt seen each other in a while.
by clipschamps on
Aug 16, 2008 8:58 AM PDT
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Thanks
Good info clipschamps. I’d really like to get out there and watch some of these scrimmages. If anyone else makes it out there, please do a trip report for those of us who can’t go. Thanks in advance.
by supac on
Aug 16, 2008 5:04 PM PDT
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I think Maggette used to play there a lot, too
I may try to make it up there one day soon
F-Elton!
by mikey p on Aug 15, 2008 11:32 PM PDT 0 recs
I went to see the games today...
Great stuff. FYI I posted my conversation with an agent who was there re: what he saw of Liv and PDavis in the thread “Where to Start?”
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein
by Another son of Mike Smith on Aug 18, 2008 11:12 PM PDT 0 recs
I work in Westwood...
So I definitely plan on checking out some of the action SOON.
"Lets get one thing straight, the only reason you are conscious right now is because I don't feel like carrying you." - Jack Bauer
"Consequences, Schmonsequences, as long as I'm rich." - Daffy Duck
by Badd on Aug 19, 2008 3:32 PM PDT 0 recs
just got back from watching
saw al thornton and ricky davis out there today. Thornton was just beastin out there. He was burning dudes left and right so bad that they had to start double teaming him, which i guess is a good thing since i expect him to see a bunch of double teams next yr. Watching this guy up close, i was just in awe of his ability to create a shot for himself everytime, whether its thru stepbacks or spin moves. And this is no walk in the park defense neither. Since theres no refs, u see guys grab and hold every chance they get, but thornton still somehow manages a clean look for himself everytime. It also looks like his handle has improved, and he even led a couple fast breaks. Clipper nation should be very excited, this guy is the real deal.
I haven’t watched ricky davis much in the nba, but the matchup between him and thornton was just a joy to watch. Both of em just going back and fourth and scoring at will. I will say this about ricky, he doesn’t look like a cancer at all. His team won almost all their games, and you could just see he had that “we ain’t gonna lose” mentality all day. He kinda reminded me of sam cassell, the way he was telling everybody where to be on defense and offense and just having that leadership presence. Offensively, he is just so crafty, and i love it how he always demands for the ball when it gets close.This guy is definitely a leader and is going to be a great locker room presence as far as i can tell. It was funny seeing the contrasting styles between thornton and davis. Davis talked smack to al all throughout the game, and thornton was just like the silent assasin, letting the play do his talking for him.
by clipschamps on Aug 21, 2008 5:58 PM PDT 1 recs
Great report
Thanks for writing this up and letting us know. This is great news on both fronts—a small but meaningful confirmation of our hopes about Thornton and what we saw in summer league, and a note that raises our hopes about the kind of role and major contribution that Ricky Davis might make on the team this year.
One of my concerns these days is that with Thornton, RDavis, and Mobley, Eric Gordon isn’t going to get enough minutes, that MD will overplay Mobley as he has in the past. Thornton is firmly established and looks like he’s going to slip in comfortably as a 20 ppg scorer to replace Maggette. The goal is to put Gordon on the same path as Thornton. But Gordon should be an extremely effective preseason player and he’ll make a big impact in training camp. Mobley is a solid vet and good defender who deserves to be the opening day starter, and Ricky Davis is a great asset as the first guy off the bench. The problem is that both of those guys are just good enough, and Thornton will also be rightfully hogging minutes, that Gordon’s opportunities could be severely limited. It would help him to get off to a fast start, but that might be tough. We’ll see what happens.
Any other players of note that you saw out there with Thornton and RDavis? It’s a very good sign that both of those guys are in LA and playing ball.
by citizen zhiv on
Aug 22, 2008 7:50 AM PDT
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Re: Zhiv's question...
I’ve been to the UCLA pickup games twice this past week, and the second time I was there RDavis was playing. I thought he looked good, active, in decent shape, although he did take a few more shots than I would have preferred… As to your question, the competition included Andre Miller (who was also there the first day I was there and continued to look really good) but also much younger players. In fact, there was one kid who was so skinny but had the sweetest stroke and could dunk with ease. I turned to a person on my right to ask who the kid was… and the person said he didn’t know the kid’s name but he was a high school junior who had already committed to UCLA… I also saw Jordan Farmar, but he wasn’t playing.
By the way, the person who told me the kid’s identity was UCLA alum — and Clipper Post-Game commmentator — Don MacLean. FYI I also overheard DM dishing on some of the UCLA Bruins drafted this year… so funny to hear those guys talk when there are no cameras or tape recorders around.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein
by Another son of Mike Smith on
Aug 22, 2008 12:08 PM PDT
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zhiv's question
Thursday was the first time i was able to check out the games for the week( I usually try to go everyday), but some other guys i saw include andre miller, lamond murray (ex clipper i believe), keith closs( my is he tall), dj strawberry (suns), james white, ryan hollins, davon jefferson (usc)….
was definitely quieter than usual but the games were still great to watch. Still waiting for the big names to show up (garnett, pierce, baron). These guys were all regulars here at ucla last summer but have yet to be seen this summer.
by clipschamps on
Aug 22, 2008 1:28 PM PDT
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Hmm only two juniors have committed to UCLA
Bryant Reeves and Brendan Lane. Both SFs. Both white. Reeves isn’t that skinny, so it had to be Lane. About 6’8" or so.
by Jax on
Aug 22, 2008 1:46 PM PDT
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Hmmm is right
I was trying to figure out who that could be too. Reeves looks great, and it’s going to be fun to watch him with Drew Gordon and Morgan in 09—and Keefe should be a very good senior that year. The skinny highly skilled great shooter sounds like the little shred of info that I’ve heard about Lane.
Getting Morgan really helps the cause. He’s big enough to give them the size that they lost in Love and Lorenzo, but he probably won’t be quite good enough not to stick around for a few years. That is, he’ll help the team a lot this year, and he also should still be around in 09 and 10.
by citizen zhiv on
Aug 22, 2008 2:01 PM PDT
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Dude, Andre Miller is like the best PG in the NBA
haven’t you been watching ESPN? The Sixers are gonna win it all, bro.
F-Elton!
by mikey p on
Aug 25, 2008 7:09 PM PDT
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Gordon has to earn his time...
Not have it handed to him. He’s a high first round pick but we have a pretty veteran team that should be looking to win now. It only helps Gordon to play on a winning team with awinning attitude, it will a big difference in his future development. Hopefully we are on the good side of a few blowouts this year and Gordon can get some burn but there’s no reason to bench Mobley and Davis if Gordon doesn’t truly deserve to be out on the court.
Thornton only got the PT because of all the injuries, plus he’s 5 years older than Gordon so his body is alot further along than EG.
Oh no! We suck again - Idiot from The Waterboy
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by ClipperChuck on
Aug 25, 2008 6:49 PM PDT
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Defintiely good news
I don’t know which is better news that Thornton was dominating against a bunch of NBA players or that Davis is showing leadership skills and a will to win. The team is looking better every minute.
by bestclipfan on Aug 21, 2008 7:57 PM PDT 0 recs
Parking
I’m going today, any advice where to park? I’ll report back on who I see (and recognize) playing…
by psw on Aug 25, 2008 12:59 PM PDT 0 recs
I believe it's Garage 6.
Just drive straight up the main drag from Westwood until you can’t go any further.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein
by Another son of Mike Smith on Aug 25, 2008 4:23 PM PDT 0 recs
yup
Thanks for the reply. Thats exactly right. It was lot 6. There werent any Clips there today. Except coach dunleavy. Most of the players there today had/ have UCLA ties.. Ryan Hollins, Affalo, Westbrook, Aboya, Josh Shipp, Collision, Micheal Roll…
by psw on Aug 25, 2008 7:04 PM PDT 0 recs
no clippers?
wat time did u go? ricky davis, deandre jordan and mike taylor were all there today, as well as a bunch of other nba players. Off the top of my head: mike dunleavy jr, marcus banks, ryan hollins, westbrook, dorell wright, afflalo, joey graham, derrick martin i think thats it for nba players.
by clipschamps on
Aug 25, 2008 9:34 PM PDT
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deandre jordan
just some thoughts on wat i saw from him today. His game right now is similar to ryan hollins, crazy hops but zero offensive skills. He trys to block every shot out there and picks up a lot of unnecessary fouls. He does play hard on both ends of the floor tho, and scored most of his buckets through put backs and alley oops from running hard on the break. Im pretty sure it was mike dunleavy’s idea to have mike taylor and deandre jordan out there today, as he was keeping his eye on them most of the time.
by clipschamps on
Aug 25, 2008 9:48 PM PDT
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Good job
Thanks for the scouting reports. Keep it up, we all appreciate it.
by supac on
Aug 26, 2008 2:45 AM PDT
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Glad it worked out.
I didn’t make it today and I’m bummed to hear that Dunleavy was there… My plan has been to corner him until he shows me the notorious cell phone text messages from EB and Falk so I can see them with my own eyes… ; )
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein
by Another son of Mike Smith on Aug 25, 2008 9:06 PM PDT 0 recs
LOL
Awesome idea. See if he can forward the text messages to you, or take a snapshot of them. Tell Dunleavy it’s for Jax.
by supac on
Aug 26, 2008 2:46 AM PDT
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oops
my bad, it was my first time there. i didnt recognize jordan, taylor. i probably would have recognized ricky davis, i must have just missed him. i guess i should stick to reporting who i did see, instead of who i didnt see.. sorry . that comment about dunleavy’s cell phone is great. i wish i would have thought of that while i was standing within 5 feet of him for quite awhile.
by psw on Aug 25, 2008 10:44 PM PDT 0 recs
anybody go watch today?
i just called my friend and he told me that eric gordon is playin right now. Im pissed that i couldn’t make it out there today. oh well, if anybody else made it out there, maybe give us a report of how he looked, or i could ask my friend later on wat he thought about him.
by clipschamps on Aug 28, 2008 4:16 PM PDT 0 recs
I couldn't make it today.
Too bad – I really want to see EG play with my own eyes…
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" – Albert Einstein
by Another son of Mike Smith on Aug 28, 2008 7:55 PM PDT 0 recs
EG, EJ, whatever you call him, he's good
Hi guys, first time poster. As for any discussion of Eric Gordon, as an Indiana University alum, I rarely miss a Hoosiers game so I feel uniquely qualified to share thoughts. I also tend to be tough on IU players in the NBA (I don’t want to be a homer), but I think EJ (“Eric Jr.”) is the real deal. He’s either a short, but extremely capable shooting guard or if he gets a handle, he’s the next Billups. He reminds me of LeBron in the sense that he can finish at the rim despite hard contact.
The kid is a tank and has a good head on his shoulders. He’s an above average defender, though he could stand better instincts on defense. He hits his free throws and his shooting range is absolutely jaw-dropping. He’s ready. Trust me. And he’s really, really, uniquely talented.
by la transplant on Aug 31, 2008 4:22 PM PDT 0 recs
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