Notes from Playa Vista - Last Full Clippers Practice Before the Season
by Steve Perrin on Oct 26, 2009 12:57 PM PDT
in News
96 comments
Well, if you were hoping to hear that all 15 Clippers practiced today, you're going to be disappointed. Neither Blake Griffin nor Baron Davis participated, although everyone else did including Marcus Camby.
Starting with Camby, coach isn't saying for sure whether or not he'll play tomorrow night - that will depend on how his ankle responds to today's practice. But as of now, I expect that Marcus will play, though perhaps on limited minutes.
Blake and Baron are both being called game time decisions. Griffin's injury is essentially the bone bruise from his collision with Craig Smith four weeks ago. Bone bruises can be tricky, as this situation illustrates. Basically, everyone thought the knee was fine, and even after he felt something after the dunk Friday night, Blake didn't really seem to think it was anything serious - he didn't receive treatment after the game, he was having fun with the guys at the Yardhouse afterwards. But the knee started swelling overnight, and here we are. It's officially a game time decision, but I'll be very surprised if he plays.
As for Baron, I don't even know what to tell you. It's either a toe, or a heel, or something in between. For some reason though I think he'll play, although based on the fact that he rushed back from injuries a couple times last season, maybe he shouldn't.
The good news on the injury front is that Pau is not expected to play for the Lakers, although they certainly have plenty of weapons without him.
I asked coach about the importance of the first game. On the road, against the defending champs and presumptive favorites, it's not really a game anyone expects the Clippers to win. MDsr said "It's important we play well" and that there aren't any teams he doesn't feel like they can beat. We all remember the way last season started - with a 38 point loss to the Lakers that set the tone for the entire season. If the Lakers mop the floor with the Clippers again this year, it could change the entire tone of excitement around the team. The team needs to come out and be competitive, even if it's in a loss.
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IF this was the NFL, a gametime decision
means the player will play. Hearing about Griffin’s swollen knee is kind of nerve wrecking b/c of the history w/ knee injuries. Time to strap on a knee pad
If he misses the opener
did they make any statements about the subsequent games?
Just read lisa dillman's tweet
I guess Blake’s off to seek a 2nd opinion.
I hope this is the case
rather than…a deeper evaluation for some kind of chronic knee disease, in which case I will cry.
Sorry for being a downer, just hard to be optimistic after all that has happened over the last 12 years.
12 years?
It’s gone on longer than that Newty. You’re missing out on Manning, and Harper, and Nixon and Marques Johnson, etc. etc. etc.
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 26, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Way more
Bill Simmons covered it pretty nicely in this article.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090624&sportCat=nba
In the end I blame DTS for this, he has so much bad karma there’s no way to counterbalance it.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Oct 26, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't forget Derek Smith
Another casualty of the curse
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Oct 26, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
lot's of grim faces...
is this alluding to something that could potentially be worse?
They're probably
just as frustrated as we are.
Everyone – the fans, the front office, the coaches and the players – were hoping for a fresh new start with a HEALTHY team. But here we are, on the eve of opening night, and we’re in the same boat as the start of the season last year…worrying about injuries.
I hope at least one of them play tomorrow.
i almost want Baron more because of the lack of point guard depth. At least if Griffin misses than we still have quality depth and i am less worried. Also, its good to hear that Blake’s injury is a minor one after hearing about Antawn Jamison. I too admit that after watching him (Blake) during preseason, i couldn’t help but think he might be missing a few games the way he’s playing. Lets hope he can stay healthy and be grateful of having a relatively healthy team.
Agree, Baron's more important...
… if the main goal is to just be competitive.
i think that's his regular look...
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
by Lawler's Law on Oct 26, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not the coach and just a fan
and even i am ticked.
you guys think he's mad because bg is getting a 2nd opinion
or because of the injury bug?
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
by Lawler's Law on Oct 26, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah he really doesn't look to be into the whole interview
Something looks to be bothering him…or he just really wants to get finished with the interview.
by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 26, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Time for a Pink Slip with Jasen Powell's name on it.
Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.
I've been saying the same thing
for a few years. I know a lot of the players really like Powell but how do the trainers from the Suns manage to get Grant Hill to stay healthy for an entire year while Clipper players have what seems to be a small injury that lasts the entire season?
by yaggiefresh on Oct 26, 2009 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed on the importance of a good start
This team’s psyche is a bit fragile after last season. Everyone is desperate to prove that last year was a fluke and they’re ready to turn it around. While we don’t need to necessarily win the game, I think pushing the defending champs in a close game for a full 48 minutes is important. Basically, they need to prove to themselves and everyone else that they’re competitive with the league’s best.
I fully expect Baron to play. Whether he’ll play well is a different matter.
I hope he plays but does not try to do to much
i.e. limited 3pt shots, drives where he ends up hitting the ground hard…
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
by Lawler's Law on Oct 26, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Baron of last year
So you’re basically hoping for the Baron of last year back?
I’m guessing that’s probably what we’ll see. If Baron’s foot is hurting, I doubt he’ll have the explosiveness (or inclination) to take anyone off the dribble.
This is so frustrating. Maybe Telfair will explode and turn into this year’s Aaron Brooks.
Glad we pick up Bassy
REALLY needed a legit bench PG. Even better that he was a starter for the Wolves.
by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 26, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
As bad as Baron was last season, the Clips won 2 games without him. Granted, they only won 19 all year anyway, but still.
I like what I’ve seen in Bassy except for his outside shooting. Like SP noted, he seemed determined to show he could hit from outside during the last pre-season game…and further proved that he can’t.
But in a real game, I think Bassy will stick with what he does best, create for others, get in the paint and run the break…and of course throw the lob.
I fully expect Baron to play tomorrow btw. I just think Bassy will get plenty of minutes in the first two back-to-back games.
Yes.
That’s my voice asking about the second opinion and the MRI.
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 26, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
The whole thing was weird
Lisa talked about the grim faces. The energy in the building was terrible. I felt it at the time, and I felt it again watching the video just now.
I think it was your comment above… everyone is just bummed that, however minor, there are injuries to begin the season.
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 26, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
yea...
that whole segment regarding bg’s injury just looks odd…
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
by Lawler's Law on Oct 26, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
A little freaked out, or lying?
I too was asking about the MRI. How could Dun not know? Either he’s actually reassured about Griffin, and just pretty spooked in general, or else it looks like he’s hiding something. What’s his record on being straight forward with these things? Has he ever hid the truth on things like this?
Yeah I definitely get the feeling that something else is going on
I mean the injury sounds so minor why would Dun be this down about it? Acting like there was just a death in his family or something.
by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 26, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
But what would be the point in not coming forward?
Unless, I suppose, he didn’t want to say anything until a serious injury was confirmed. Maybe it’s best if we just wait and see, and not speculate too much. I’m freaking myself out. :-(
Yeah I really don't know why they wouldn't come forward
Unless they are currently freaking out over a worst case scenario and don’t want to make any statement until they know the situation.
I just don’t understand Duns tone of voice. I’ve never seen him that down. He seemed to have brighter spirits last season.
I’m a pessimist by nature so I just really hope I’m taking this too far haha.
I’m sure everything is fine. I mean honestly, how could he continue to play if it’s a “severe” injury.
by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 26, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I have to get home and watch this clip!
My office blocks all videos.
Bizarre video
Shifty, uncomfortable, seemed not to be telling the entire story, couldn’t wait to get out of there.
We’ll see.
Don't forget...
Dunleavy went through something similar with Kaman last year where someone, his agent, his personal doctor, someone basically took him out of the lineup for half the season. I’m not pretending to know what happened but we had a lot of hints about the team’s unhappiness with Kaman and that’s what I flash on looking at and listening to coach Dunleavy. Someone, Griffin’s agent perhaps, or even Kaman said, “You should get a second opinion….” You could push it further, that that opinion might be coming from someone Dun doesn’t trust or that is very conservative… like Kaman’s guy. Might be something for SP or reallisa to go figure out.
Of course I’m making all this up, and maybe it is just a bone bruise. And, certainly any player is entitled to a second opinion from an outside physician. But it’s scary for us and very scary and disappointing for Mike Dunleavy. But it’s a knee, not a groin, or even a shoulder, a knee. That’s a very scary thing.
i hope that's the story actually.
I’d rather it be the team doctors saying it is ok and some mischievous outside voice telling him to get a second opinion just in case rather than it actually being worse off and ending up being career threatening or something.
i thought it might be
just didn’t see as gruff at it normally sounds…
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
by Lawler's Law on Oct 26, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
We may see,
Bassy
EJ
Sool
AT
Kaman
or
Bassy
EJ
AT
DJ
Kaman
Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.
Same Old Clipps
The season hasn’t even started and we might be missing BD, Griffin, and Camby.
The talent is there, but these guys will never catch a break.
by The Blake Griffin Era on Oct 26, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions
When did the injury happen?
If you look at the video of the injury it looks like he bangs knees with Hilton Armstrong while blocking his shot, that led to the big dunk. I’d much rather have him with the banging knee and bone bruise, than have him injured while jumping or landing.
Credit goes to Clipperstalk on the ESPN boards for noticing this.
Yea, when?
It looks like he’s leaning down towards his knee an instant before he lands on it (he landed on the other leg first, if I’m not mistaken). So I was thinking maybe did something moments before, but my attention was on his leap towards the basket. I didn’t see anything obvious.
Clippers Can Win Without BG or Baron!
C’mon guys. Let’s stop moping and falling into the “It’s the Clippers” – Eor drivel. The Clippers are stacked with talent! All that talk about how good DJ looks, Rasual and AT fighting for the SF spot, how great the Rhino looks.
I know people hated on Mardy last year but I think he did a great job at point keeping us in games. At least this year we have Bassy!
I don’t want us fans rooting for the Clips to be “competitive” tomorrow night!
Let’s root for them to win! I have full faith that they can beat the Lakers without BD or BG.
EJ, DJ, Rasual, Kaman will come up big tomorrow and shock Faker Nation.
GO CLIPS!!!!!
He played well against Paul Pierce
at small forward. The idea that Mardy Collins can play PG really needs to be retired.
by Michael White on Oct 26, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Ugh.
Well, guess it’s a good thing I have to see Michael Jackson’s This Is It tomorrow. Won’t miss another opening night loss.
Just a shame we have this game being nationally televised
on TNT against our hometown rivals and we have 2-3 key players sitting out/playing hurt.
Can’t we shake this f***ing image of being injured and having a cursed franchise.
by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 26, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions
Clippers will be a playoff team if healthy
And someday, the curse will be lifted. Just not today.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
I feel sorry for BG
Guess that shows that nobody escapes the Clipper curse. Maybe yall will tank again and get John Wall in the draft AND somehow convince the Grizzlies to give you Rudy Gay and filler for Baron Davis.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Baron and Kobe have sore feet
Kobe sat out practice with an foot injury that sounds oddly similar to BDavis’ jammed toe, or whatever it is. No doubt that Kobe is going to play.
A fine line with these little tweaks. Especially troubling when the team has 4 games in 5 nights—a good chance for us to see a lot of basketball, but an an unfortunate instance where players like Griffin or even BDavis might miss a bunch of early games.
Yeah we certainly hit the ground running to start the season off.
But as we all feel, better to be hurt early rather than later.
Get it out your system boys, we have a franchise image to change.
by dulciusEXasperis on Oct 26, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I think because
of the injury history of this team, we tend to over react to any news of ailments.
It seems like these injuries are relatively minor and there will not be any extended time missed. Playing with minor injuries is quite common in the NBA especially for teams in contention for playoffs. I think if the team starts winning we won’t see guys out for weeks at a time like last year. I still think the idea of a curse is ridiculous, it’s just bad luck and bad timing (and maybe Craig Smith :) ).
Two questions that need to be asked about BIG G
1. When did the injury happen? Was it a mid-air collision or was it when he landed?
2. When can we hear from Blake Griffin?
So is he playing or what? No new news? It is so quiet.
Looks like I will have to take him out of my fantasy lineup. I just hope this isn’t some ominous sign.
Blake has a stress fracture
Out for six weeks
by Qlippers on Oct 26, 2009 10:04 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
and there it is again.
were they hiding something?
Yahoo Is already congratulating
Blake on being a clipper, screw yahoo
by Qlippers on Oct 26, 2009 10:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin may miss up to six weeks with a stress fracture of his left patella suffered during the Clippers’ last preseason game vs. the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, October 23rd.
Further information regarding Griffin’s course of treatment will be made available later. Team officials will be available following shootaround on Tuesday, October 27th at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center at approximately 10:30 AM.
Where is the source to this?
I tried doing a google search about it and haven’t found anything. Surely if that was reported at 10:30 AM there’d have to be something somewhere.
by yaggiefresh on Oct 26, 2009 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions
So was this 6 weeks estimated by the second opinion or ours.
If it is the second opinion doctor I will believe it, if it is ours I say 12 weeks.
Also does this no show how incapable our team doctors are?!
They were like meh, minor injury and then he goes to get a second opinion and it turns out to be a stress fracture?!
I think our staff has it as 6 weeks
They knew of the injury and Blake wanted to get a second opinion
by Qlippers on Oct 26, 2009 10:23 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
hhmmm
Maybe that’s why Dunleavy was so upset. He knew it but couldn’t admit to it until further word was released.
by yaggiefresh on Oct 26, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That would explain the his tone on the interview
Can we trade minny’s number 1 pick for phoenix’s trainer. The raiders traded a coach for picks, why not?
by Qlippers on Oct 26, 2009 10:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Don't worry guys, it could be worse
We could be the Wizards and be without Antawn Jamison for 3-5 weeks. Oh, wait…
lol
we have a ton of depth guys. lets not get to pessimistic. dj is going to get more playing time. this could be a great situation for him. blake is young and hungry so he should be dine.
We are better to handle it this year
but we’re starting to look more and more like last year’s team and that’s definitely not good. Oh well, as long as Baron doesn’t get hurt and gain 20 pounds again we should be okay. Wait what? Baron is day to day too? Is it healthy to drink during the weekdays?
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Oct 26, 2009 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions
lmao
that made me less depressed about the injury. Blake Griffin can wait, for now, we got the RHINO!
Considering all things, I never once factored blake being the differance maker for our success this year, nearly as much as I did: Baron, Gordon, Kaman, Thornton, Rasual, DJ, Camby and Telfair. Whatever Blake brought THIS year was a bonus, But all of those other guys I just mentioned, have to contribute in ways that a are more determing.
by Takebb909 on Oct 26, 2009 11:45 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
But Blake makes a huge difference on this team
He is the catalyst that drives this team, and when Baron has those nights that he doesnt feel like playing, Blake would put the fire in the team to play hard. For this team, the lose of Big G makes them lose their cockiness, determination, and heart.
I’m actually quite relieved to hear its that instead of us being told it was just an upper epidermal abrasion and him wiinding up being out 10x’s longer then expected. I saw the game and saw him grimmacing. It looked like it occured when he was in the airmNow, unfortunately he can start off watching an learning.
by Takebb909 on Oct 26, 2009 11:59 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Man voodoo curse
i was wondering why it took so long
Speechless
seriously… please who ever it is, undo this curse. Is it the Lakers? who has set this faith upon the Clippers? could it have espn ?
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