Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Neil Olshey Press Availability - June 22
by Steve Perrin on Jun 22, 2009 11:28 AM PDT
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PrintI just attended a press availability with coach/GM Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Assistant GM Neil Olshey in advance of this week's draft. There wasn't a lot of breaking news, as you might imagine. But it more or less confirms what we thought we knew going into the draft.
- The Clippers say they're not really 'putting out feelers' on big man trades, but rather that teams are calling them. Still, Olshey admitted that something needs to be worked out by November. I suppose it's possible that the 'something' could well be just a fuller understanding of minutes distribution. At any rate, the Clippers maintain that they are not 'sellers' in this market and are not in a rush to shed a big man. (Related to this, the recent Mike Miller rumor feels wrong to me, if only because I can't imagine that the Clippers would counter Mike Miller for Kaman with Miller for Camby. The possible advantage of dealing Kaman is that it removes a long term contract and with it a long term front court log jam. It's my understanding that they'd much sooner trade Kaman than Camby, all other things being equal.)
- I asked about the possibility of acquiring another pick, and basically both men said what they've said before: they're looking at it, and don't be surprised if they pick up a late first round pick or a second round pick. Although the Clippers have not held a single workout beyond Griffapalooza, MDsr and NO have attended several of the group workouts that have been organized around the league. So they've seen a lot of players in those settings. MDsr went ahead and confirmed some of the conventional wisdom - that there are teams out there with big payrolls who would just as soon sell a pick that has little chance of helping their team this season. Buying picks is straight out of the Portland play book, and they've done it well to the tune of Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez - it would be very out of character in general for the Clippers, but they seem to be pursuing it, and as Olshey rightly pointed out, the team has hardly been a bystander in transacting business the last couple of seasons.
Dena from the Clippers will likely have the full video of both sessions available on Clippers.com soon ([Note by Steve Perrin, 06/22/09 5:28 PM PDT ] up now, Olshey / MDsr and a hat tip to Citizen Lawler's Law for getting them into the FanShots) and Kevin had his Flip video camera running as well, so keep an eye on Clipperblog as well if you want to see it all (MDsr). Like I said, nothing much new coming out of the session, but it seems like Thursday could be eventful, even beyond the first pick.
One last note - Al Thornton is in the house, going through a workout.
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Good job. I was hoping to read that you got to throw some questions at MDSr.
“Are you really going to run this year, or will it be your version on run?”
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Good question Mikey P.
Even I didn’t think of that. I gues I was always thinking of “our version of run and gun” run that I didn’t realize that we’re talking about Dunleavy.
Who is there to get to improve us in the draft toward the end? I havent completley looked into the list, but if Tylers going at 20’s, that tells you alot! (I guess I am a big Tyler Hans. no-no.) Is getting another point guard going to justify anything? I can possibly see s s ugetting a shooting guard, but past 20, I think that what’s left is Chase Budinger and Wayne Ellington(that’s worth taking a look at, i should say.) I just dont know what else the Clippers can get if they’re going to consider drafting a late pick.
Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!
Back-up PG
That’s the obvious target, and the one that Olshey identified during the season ticket conf. call after the lottery.
This is the draft to pick up a young PG. It’s stacked with PGs and it’s very possible that the PG you draft at the end of the 1st round could be just as good as the one who goes 7th.
At the end of the 1st round, we should be looking at Eric Maynor and Nick Calathas.
Personally, I hope they start getting more aggressive and find a way to move a big like Kaman to a team like Washington for their pick. It makes a ton of sense for a team like Washington who doesn’t want more rooks and wants to try to “win now.”
Actually...
Kevin pretty much asked that question… and it didn’t go well for him. You should probably just wait for the video, but suffice it to say that Kevin asked if the offense would be more ‘improvisational’ to which MDsr said something like ‘do you mean are we going to run?’ Eventually the answer got around to a discussion of the classic fast break (get a rebound, push the ball, fill lanes, big man dives to the rim)… but never an answer to the specific question about the Clippers, at least not that I heard.
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 Jun 22, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I assume so...
Dena from the Clippers had her go video camera rolling, so I assume she’ll post it all. I just checked and nothing yet.
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 Jun 22, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
He sure doesn't like to be questioned
or challenged.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
He's a master
If you talk longer about each question, you get through fewer questions.
Go ahead, ask what he had for dinner last night.
"So what are the odds that the Clippers can compete next season given their limited flexibility? Slim and none."
Like a politician
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
Thornton
Hey Steve,
I’m glad to read that buying a pick is at least in consideration.
Did it look like Al’s shoulder was completely healed?
by Lawler 4ever on Jun 22, 2009 12:39 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Didn't see enough...
He was working the weights for a while, but only leg work while I was there. Then they went out to the floor, but I was working on my post and didn’t really see much. Kim Hughes and Fred Vinson and some trainers were there working with him.
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 Jun 23, 2009 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions
hey SP
next time can you ask mdsr about the clippers team rebounding? For a team that is so talented upfront I was just curious his take on why the clippers aren’t a better rebounding team. Also ask if they have someone working with eric gordon and al thornton to improve their individual rebounding?
by cantthinkofagoodname on Jun 22, 2009 3:03 PM PDT reply actions
Almost did...
In the end I didn’t ask the question because I knew the answer he would give. So here you go, here’s what he would say:
“Injuries to Kaman, Randolph and Camby kept us from being a good rebounding team last year. If those three can stay healthy, and with the addition of Blake Griffin who led the NCAA in rebounding, we will be a great rebounding team.”
The real answer of course involves that, but also getting much more from the two and three spots, where Gordon and Thornton are among the worst in the league for their positions.
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 Jun 22, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Not sure the official distinction....
A press or media availability is when the make someone available to answer questions. A press conference is probably, as you suspect, more often something that involves a specific announcement, perhaps followed by a Q&A. The availabilities I’ve been too have been on the side of the court, standing with the coach, as opposed to in a room with a podium and microphone.
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 Jun 22, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Very cool, very fluid...
Definitely an anti-climactic week, but in a very good way.
Thought this quote on BDL nailed it for me:
“but for the Clippers winning the lottery is the difference between a roster loaded with problems and a roster loaded with opportunities.”
You know I wrote that, right?
Quote on BDL?
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 Jun 22, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
That's awesome!
It certainly sounds like ghost_ride didn’t know it was yours. We just went right down through the rabbit hole. Clipper Steve is the guy in that old time travel novel: “The Man Who Folded Himself”. I know Lawler’s Law hit it as a fanshot too… someone’s gonna use your quotes off another blog to disprove some point your making on your own blog. It’s inevitable.
haha that's right sp
what you type can and will be used against you… lol
by cantthinkofagoodname on Jun 22, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
He's right though...
It is a great quote.
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 Jun 23, 2009 12:40 AM PDT up reply actions
You know you've made it somewhere
when things like that happen. Didn’t know at all…unfortunately sometimes I only have time for skimming, and must have missed it.
Anyway, that’s some great writing there. Also, a take in which I think expands on what the general mood has been around the club with all the fans and critics lately. Some contend it’s the same old sorry Clipper franchise we’re dealing with no who we get, but I think we’re hearing that talk die for the most part, while more and more writers (people) are realizing what kind of talent we could have here.
How many teams can add a great player while giving up practically nothing? Maybe more to the point…is that it’s tough to be a top 15 team without a top player. Now obviously, Blake would have the best chance of being that type of player, so it’s cause for potential success…but at the same time you can’t get too excited until you start to see the product on the court.
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