Optimism...
by ChrisPaulFTW on Nov 22, 2009 12:12 AM PST
43 comments
I've been reading articles and fanposts over this latest Clipper win and can't help but feel some of us are a little delusional. Before the game against Denver people were talking about boycotting this game, burning tickets in protest, and talks of the much needed firing of MDSR resurfaced. What happened? One win against a good team and all is forgiven/forgotten?
I remember a "big" win for us last year against the Celtics that was supposed to shove this team off into the right direction, perhaps a win to build some momentum on. As it turned out the next night we lost to the worst team in the league and followed up with a 7 game losing streak.
In case you forgot about last nights game, the Clips almost blew a 15 point 4th quarter lead in typical Clipper fashion. EVERYONE was fearing the worst and if not for Rasual's 3ball that game would likely have ended in a loss. The screams at Dunleavy's dismissal would still be roaring rampantly, but give us one lucky win over a good team and it cools the fire.
How many more losses are we going to give this jackass? How many opportunities are we going to give him to turn this team around? Say he does turn the team around and we start winning games, perhaps a 7-8 game win streak or even if we get above .500. Even if say by some miracle we make the playoffs, will he suddenly have redeemed himself? Or perhaps we forgot about a rookie coming in cold as ice to guard Raja Bell on the biggest moment in Clipper history. Or perhaps the biggest 4th quarter melt down in the playoffs for a team that was supposed to win it all. What makes us think if he gets us into the playoffs things will be any different? Or perhaps we ourselves are just content with mediocrity.
Do something about it. Stop going to games. Stop watching games. If you are such a Clipper junkie like myself, listen to them on the radio.Tell all your friends who are Clipper fans to do the same. Send your hate mail to the address below demanding to Donald T. Sterling that a change needs to be made...or you can hold onto your optimism.
Los Angeles Clippers
1111 S. Figueroa St., Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California 90015
(This is the address for Clipper fan-mail)
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There/Their
I was in Phoenix to witness off-brand Daniel Ewing vs Raja Bell. I drove straight home after the game…. Worst 5 hours ever…. Thanks for reminding me.
Good Counterbalance
This is the other side to it, but I think the win transcended the coaching situation, and it actually showed that the players don’t hate the coach. Think Dunleavy extended his stay at least one more year w/ the Lucas hiring….I don’t think now’s the time to clean house when considering the coaching staff as a whole is pretty solid right now. Something has to be done about the 4th quarters though, and that will be up to BD.
You're right... and you're totally wrong...
I for one watch the Clippers expressly to savor the good feeling left behind after a win. It doesn’t matter if I don’t agree with all the coaching and personnel decisions. To deny yourself that pleasure makes no sense.
And, by-the-way, calling the coach a “jackass” hurts your case, not the other way around.
So you would still want to fire the coach
If he leads the Clippers to the Playoffs? Hmm…
Unbelievable
Here’s the Clippers record every season since Dunleavy has been coach.
2003-04 – 28W-54L
2004-05 – 37W-45L
2005-06 – 47W-35 L
2006-07 – 40W-42L
2007-08 – 23W-59L
2008-09 – 19W-63L
Total = 194W-298L
History speaks for itself gentlemen. I don’t understand how you find this acceptable. You would have to be a moron if this was your franchise and this man was still running your team. One win for two horrible losses is not a good feeling. Watching my team leading into the fourth quarter only to have the bottom fall out almost every game is not a good feeling. Knowing my team can’t do sh*t in the fourth quarter because our coach is predictable and has no idea how to run a team is not a good feeling. Enjoy these feelings for the next two seasons. I hope we make the playoffs, I’ll watch just to see Dunleavy embarrass himself once again.
what about the decade before Dunleavy?
before Larry Brown, non one winning season…and LB’s last record was an eve 41-41
2002-03 – 27W 55L
2001-02 – 39W 43L
2000-01 – 31W 51L
1999-00 – 15W 67L
1998-99 – 9W 41L
1997-98 – 17W 65L
1996-97 – 36W 46L
1995-66 – 29W 53L
1994-95 – 17W 65L
1993-94 – 27W 55L
Total = 247W 541L
I checked the percentage, Dunleavy’s is better. Fitch was the coach for a good 6 years? If anything Dunleavy has been good the the Clippers Org. FO has turned around, DTS has changed, players changed. He may not be the best, but he has done good for us. No one since Larry Brown (who only stuck around for a year and a half).
I look at the Clippers Org as a team with low-end players. Dunleavy took control while the team was still low-end players, and he was barely able to get the right personal last season (maggette was the last that needed to go). This season is only 1 year after dunleavy has completed his rebulding. give him a chance.
Who said Dunleavy is "forgiven"?
I must have missed the part where everyone started demanding that Dunleavy should be named Coach of the Year after the Denver game. No one is saying “wow, that was brilliant coaching by Dunleavy!” Everyone is happy because for once all the players actually played up to their talent level. They defended well, hustled, did not settle for jump shots and put in the kind of effort that we have been and should be expecting from them every night. Also, the fact that they did NOT lose the game in the 4th quarter was important…yes, losing almost all of a huge lead is disappointing, but they kept fighting and responded. And lets be honest here…as embarrassing as the 4th quarter collapses have been, what truly made them dreadful was the fact that they were against inferior teams. Denver won 54 games last year and got to the West Finals; they’re supposed to be able to make big comebacks. That doesn’t excuse the poor 4th quarter, but you had to expect that the Nuggets were going to make some kind of a run. Most importantly to me, the Clippers played like they knew they could win. “Swagger” is becoming a very overused term in the NBA these days, but its something the Clippers desperately need more of.
Now of course the Denver game wasn’t perfect, the 4th quarter a perfect example. The Clippers are still 4 games below .500. Make no mistake, this team has played some horrible ball this year. And of course Dunleavy has made some TERRIBLE coaching decisions during his time with the Clippers. No one is refuting that. But at the end of the day, I think people on here are happy because they aren’t Dunleavy fans or Dunleavy haters; they’re fans of the Clippers, and the Clippers won. It doesn’t matter if this team is 5-9 or 14-0, a win against a strong Denver team is something to be happy about. Yes, there are still plenty of problems that need to be addressed but after weeks of stormy weather, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a break in the clouds and hoping that the sunshine continues, even if its not guaranteed.
I would love to be proved wrong
Nothing would be make me happier than MDSR turning it around. As the chart above shows(plus my own eyes watching the games), I don’t think it is likely.
Dunleavy's done such a good job as coach, I can just see his offers pouring in
once his contract expires. Really, a day with Dunleavy as coach is like a day without sunshine.
If you get another coach/GM combo in here, you can kiss any dreams of a deep playoff run goodbye.
Facts:
MDsr has taken the Clips farther into the playoffs than any other LA Clipper coach.
MDsr has won more games in a season than any other LA Clipper coach.
MDsr was the first LA Clipper coach to sign a reasonably high profile free agent
MDsr was the first LA Clipper coach ever to re-sign a reasonably high profile player
MDsr is the highest paid LA Clipper coach ever
MDsr is the longest tenured LA Clipper coach ever
MDsr was the Cilpper coach when Elgin Baylor was FINALLY let go
MDsr is one of the few (if there is any other) coach-GM combos in NBA history.
The point here is that Dunleavy has been able to do major things with the team and change a culture around like no other predecessor of his. They could have made it to the conference finals in 2006, and they now with a nucleus in young, good talent, cap space, and a looming high lotto pick from the Twovles. They are set to rise again in the near future. Getting rid of MDsr because he we disagree with his Xs and Os is not a good trade off if the reigns go back into the hands of DTS. MDsr has had DTS under spell like no other coach in Clipper history. I will take my chances with MDsr.
And with all those listed accomplishments, he has still manage to lose about 60% of his games.
I just looked up that draft pick we own of the Timberwolves, its top 10 protected in the 2010 and 2011 drafts. But not in 2012.
By the time we cash that baby in, Eric Gordon will probably be on a new team.
I’m sure we’ll still have Dunleavy though.
I've got nothing.
And yet...
with all those accomplishments of MDsr. he still has manage 5 losing seasons out of 6. What an outstanding array of accomplishments that has gotten us nowhere.
He amassed one 47 game winning season and his only winning season, that’s so rare for coaches to do these days.
Amazing how 47 wins is also not hard to do since we are consistently the worst franchise in basketball.
Hey he signed a high profile player, there must be only one coach in the world who could pull that off. Also only one coach who could resign a player.
Awesome we have a high draft pick from the Twolves, who knows we just might be getting another Yaroslav Korolev .
I’ve been watching his mediocrity for 6 years now and I’m sick of it. The team has improved, the players have improved, our potential has improved, yet we still have the same coach who puts up losses year in and year out. Let’s make this a fresh start and get someone new to hold the reins.
by ChrisPaulFTW on Nov 23, 2009 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
It is pretty amazing Dunleavy still has his supporters, but he does. I've read the
reasons why and obviously don’t agree. He owns the second worst two year record in the history of the league and he has by far the lowest winning percentage of ANY coach over a six year period to keep his job. It really is a mystery. It will be a great day when he leaves second only to getting another owner.
by eastie Rich on Nov 23, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions
i'm a Clipper supporter
if the Clippers support CMDsr, then i’ll live with it. Frankie Muniz could be the coach and lose every game, but I’ll still cheer for my team.
Yes we've heard you
You write the same thing over and over again. You even went over to DenverStiffs.com and cursed them for losing to the Clippers.
Doesn’t sound like much of a fan to me. You have let your hatred of MDSr. exceed your joy at seeing the Clippers play well and defeat a very good team.
It must be sad to be you.
Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball
ok, I did go to the Denver site and thank them for losing and assuring us
at least another year of Dunleavy. So what. I like quality NBA basketball and Dunleavy doesn’t supply it. Anyone would be an upgrade. Some people like Dunleavy no matter what. I don’t get it. Any other profession in the entire world and he would have been fired long long ago. Any.
The only poster here that dislikes Dunleavy more than I is the FireDunleavy guy. There’ll be no apologies from me.
I'm not sure I understand why you think 1 win assures Dunleavy of another year
Clearly the Clippers aren’t overreacting to individual wins and losses. People scream after every loss for the Clippers to fire Dunleavy and then think 1 win means he’s getting another year. That just seems paranoid. Call me crazy, but I don’t think the Clippers are evaluating Dunleavy on a night by night basis.
If Dunleavy is back next year, it will have nothing to do with winning a game against the Nuggets in November.
by Michael White on Nov 23, 2009 1:32 PM PST up reply actions
Your probably right. I just think DTS will look for any reason to keep
him. Otherwise he’ll be paying two salaries.,
John, just why are you such a Dunleavy apologist? I've read your
unflinching support over and over again. Just why is that? If Dunleavy worked for you would you keep him on? Is he a great coach or the greatest coach? What’s up with you exactly?
Please explain otherwise your support of Dunleavy borders on delusional.
To John R
coaches don’t matter. He’s bold enough to put it as his signature also, of course quoting another man.
But what I’m trying to figure out is if coaching doesn’t matter, why can’t we fire the guy whom most of Clips Nation wants to let go of?
Coaches don't matter? Well, I've never been a Jackson fan - so I guess
that’s o.k. But Auerbach, he coached when a coach did everything. How about Lenny Wilkens, I guess he didn’t know anything either, or the man who brought the fast break back to the NBA, D’Antoni?
According to John R, none are better than Dunleavy. Hahahaha. And then he quotes Simmons, someone who absolutely despises Dunleavy. I guess he’s a little confused.
WOW..........
jerdog, you were right on the money!!!!!!! finally, somebody that sees hope and giving dunleavy a chance…… i know hes had too many chances but i’ve never seen sterling open his wallet under baylor like the way he does with MDSr. and we all want the same thing…..KEEP THE GOOD PLAYERS DEVELOPING INTO STARS BEFORE WE TOSS THEM OUT LIKE TRASH…. WE HAVE JORDAN, GRIFFIN, GORDON, THORNTON, TELFAIR…. ALL UNDER 25 and can ball with the best of em!!!!!!!!! I wanna see wat the guy’s got……
by In GrIfFin We TrUsT on Nov 23, 2009 2:04 AM PST reply actions
We also had Brand, Odom, Miles, Maggette and Q.
by eastie Rich on Nov 23, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions
Brand was a stud
I think I’m the only one around here who will be pleased if Griffin is as good as Brand.
I was always a fan of Maggette’s too (at a minimum he is definitely better than AT.)
The only guy above who I know can “ball with the best of them” is Gordon.
by Michael White on Nov 23, 2009 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
agreed, Brand was a stud
but his only fault was being undersized.
i only pointed out faults for the purpose of making them look bad.
I hope Griffin will be as good as Brand was in 05-06, but every year..
PPG: 24.7
RPG: 10.0
BPG: 2.5
APG: 2.6
FG%: 0.527
That will get us to the playoffs…
Griffin seems to have the motivation to do it.. He’s already becoming Livingston-esque (3 injuries before a regular season game), but let’s hope that trend doesn’t continue.
'Cause how you play, is how you'll be remembered. PLAY LOUD!
by CLiPPz WeRD 12 on Nov 23, 2009 12:57 PM PST up reply actions
That's not the point. When we had them they had unlimited potential - and they
all departed one way or the other.
Eastie
you’ve restored my hope in Clipper fans :)
I’m glad someone has actually been watching the Clippers, I think a lot of people forgot about that old team and what happened to them. All young, all with potential, and at the time all of them could ball. Too bad they were never given a chance…
Exactly, I happen to think a coach is responsible for most everything. Coaches don't
get any slack in football or baseball – why do alot (several) people think Dunleavy’s not responsible for anything., Look at Rondo, not everyone who comes into the league is an All Star, either you can develop them or you can’t.
Most might not agree, but with some good coaching and training that group had potential to go deep in the playoffs. That was an exciting time when they were on the floor. Brand opted out as soon as he could (and his injury could be assoc. with too much playing time ala Kaman), Odom hated it here and became an All Star in Miami (or as soon as he left), Q ended up in NY (and just who is supposed play well in NY?), and Miles (maybe the most potential of them all) ends up in Portland – not the best place for a player at the time.
Seriously, a good coach, better trainers and assistants, and of course, a different owner would have made all the difference in the world.
Just because I slam Dunleavy doesn’t mean I’m not a fan. I think the reason I dislike him so much is despite having a HISTORICALY bad record, when I met him you could tell he pretty much looked down on the fans.
by eastie Rich on Nov 24, 2009 11:39 AM PST up reply actions
actuallty
Q ended up in Pheonix and was part of the original fun-n-gun suns (but he did want to stay with the clippers)….he was really good for them except he had back problems or knee problems? or both…anyways injuries moved him to NY and yea…
Miles ended up in cleveland (for Andre Miller)…being paired with current clipper Ricky Davis. That wasn’t too good. Anyways then he was moved to Portland because of more play time for a rookie named LeBron
no argument purpose, just wanted to clear that up with those two guys.
I couldn't exactly recall how they ended up where. But now I remember Q in
Phoenix, too bad about the injuries. Still, the potential was there. Good memory by the way.
by eastie Rich on Nov 24, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
Actually the Clippers did not want him
Elgin Baylor told me once that Q mandated a waiver of his med clearance form or he’d not sign. Baylor did not want to do that.
Because Maggette sucks.
The only team to offer him a big contract this time around was GSW, right after they offered Brand a $90 million dollar contract. I jumped for joy when Corey bailed.
by Gordon for President on Nov 24, 2009 5:45 PM PST up reply actions
Maggette was so unappreciated by some. Driving to the hoop and getting the other
team in foul trouble is a huge part of the game. I just did a quick look on Hollinger’s PER and Maggette is 23 in the league with a PER of 21.82 (that’s also huge). The highest Clipper on the list was 49th, EJ with a PER of 18.8 (also excellent).
A tough Maggette, EJ, Thorton, Griffin and Kaman – that would have been fun to watch.
All Magette has ever done is lower is head, and bowl into the opposing defense. Free throws are the only way he has managed to pad his offensive numbers. Zero passing ability, zero defense even though he has all the physical skills (speed, size, strength). Corey is a me-first player, which I find hilarious because he’s never (and will not) win anything.
And a bad attitude on top of all that. You’d think he’d do whatever the team needed to be successful after losing so thoroughly and consistently for years. But I digress, he’s a starter, hope he’s having fun starting for the Warriors.
by Gordon for President on Nov 24, 2009 6:56 PM PST reply actions
Free throws are the only way he has managed to pad his offensive numbers
Right, because as everybody knows, those points don’t count.
by Michael White on Nov 24, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions
Looking up Corey's numbers.
He played for the clippers from 00-01 through 07-08. He was in the top 5 in free throws made league wide from 03-04 through 07-08. He led the league in free throws made in 03-04, good for 526 points. Pretty miserable huh?
He led the Clippers in scoring three times and was second three times (he was only here eight years), coming in second to Odom once and Brand 4 times.
Yeah, he was terrible. I wonder how we could get such a lousy player on our team? As far as attitude goes, he didn’t get along with Dunleavy (BIG surprise). Anyone remember Dunleavy’s ace move of having him come off the bench instead of starting? Why start your first or second scoring threat?
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