Can Nik Cander-Medley make the team?

by LJ Hann on Jul 17, 2009 7:59 PM PDT

I myst say, watching Nik Cander-Meley in Summer League has impressed me. He is often the forgotten man, on the floor with Mike Taylor, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, the four Summer players on the Clips who are garunteed. He is averaging numbers of 10 points and 7.3 rebounds. He is also shooting 53% from the field, 67% from three, and 89% free throws. He is only averaging 1.3 assists, but im sure that can be improved. Also, he seems to be a scorer-without-the-ball type, and might be the gluey SF we are looking for. I think he gets at least a training camp invite.

Poll

Will Nik Cander-Medley make the team?

Yes, as a benchwarmer

43 votes

Yes, as a role player

50 votes

Yes, as our starting SF 'Glue Guy'

8 votes

No, but will be in training camp

41 votes

No, won't get a camp invite

10 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

fun guy to pull for

i cant see him being the second 4 or better than mardy at 3.

he looks like a 4, but its hard to tell in summer league who plays what position (and the vid feed is tough to tell).

they should invite him to camp, heeza gamer.

Clippers Basketball.... It's Masochistic!

by Clipochistic on Jul 17, 2009 8:19 PM PDT reply actions

if they cant find a legit 3 then sure why not.

by andrewexd on Jul 17, 2009 8:28 PM PDT reply actions

if we lose novak sure why not. he’s like 6’8 240, so he’s novak like. i am not expecting him to be super quick.

by hans007 on Jul 17, 2009 9:07 PM PDT reply actions

not as great as a shooter as steve

but a better all around skill set IMO. i used to watch him at maryland.

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by wongy on Jul 17, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

He'll get a camp invite - if he wants it....

But they have too many issues to ‘save’ a roster spot for him – so I think he’s a real long shot.

I like his game a lot – he does indeed to be quite gluey in many ways. An excellent rebounder, a solid all around offensive game without needing the ball.

BUT – what they really need is a guy who can play perimeter D from that roster spot. Thornton, Q, Ricky… none of these guys are good defenders, and I’m not sold on Mardy’s D either. And I don’t think NCM has the lateral quickness to be what they need either.

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 Jul 17, 2009 11:49 PM PDT reply actions

You think Iverson could be that defensive stopper?

(Maybe not the 3, but seems like he can stop players at the 1 or 2.) If we are really looking for a defensive stopper for all 3 positions, we should look into Bruce Bowen incase Bucks want to waive him.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jul 19, 2009 4:26 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah bowen could be a good role player for the clips

i would rather rent bowen than rent ai. although bowen will not sell any seats whatsoever. bowen would be a real solid upgrade on def over ai.

he’s very specialized, but lets face it, we have no d whatsoever (outside of camby from the weakside), and adding a guy like bowen who can guard several positions, knock down the corner longball, and provide solid veteran leadership would be a huge asset without any downside (unlike the ai possibility).

and he is going to be far cheaper… only problem is bowen cant take any ‘1’ minutes (maybe gordon can slide for these). whereas ai can take one and two minutes, but isnt in the same league as bowen on the def end.

Clippers Basketball.... It's Masochistic!

by Clipochistic on Jul 19, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the problem with adding Bowen however

is that he really isn’t a scorer off the bench. True that he can shoot the ball and drive, but you wouldnt look for him to come off the bench and create the flow of the game. The thing I like about AI off the bench is that he is for sure a scoring threat. Let’s face it, at 6’2 or however tall he is, the man can score. If only we could get Q and Ai. or Bruce Bowen and AI together on the Clippers.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jul 19, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions

AI is no where near 6’2. he’s probably 5’11 or barely 6’0. which makes him more amazing. i honestly love the guy. just in general. he did everything his way instead of bending to make some fake glossy public persona. he’s like the anti-kobe at least personality wise.

that said, he probably isn’t right for our current team. if he comes off the bench, and maybe realizes that if he ballhogs it all year this year, that no one will sign him next year either… maybe its worth it. hopefully camby is selling him on that.

by hans007 on Jul 19, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Bowen?

a 38 year old past-his-prime player? I thought the Clips were trying to get younger, not pick up over the hill players like him. In that case, Stackhouse and others coming off waivers will be good for the clips because they also can play defense? (Ignore players w/ bad D on waivers.)

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.

by tomkanti on Jul 19, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

its a one year rental, just like the ai thing.

he fills some of the needs the clippers have for role players

A. without having to invest in a possible self nuke (ai),
B. without needing to sign someone to a long term contract
C. his experience could really help some of the younger players understand the nuances in the defensive game (gordon and thornton).
D. he still plays d like he is the opponent’s wet tshirt.

i say, if we can get a merc for one year to cover our defensive deficiencies while getting some leadership, its win/win.

Clippers Basketball.... It's Masochistic!

by Clipochistic on Jul 19, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Who really knows how bad AI's locker presence really is?

Remember, the media over does some thing. I hear alot of things such as AI is well liked from teammates and that its just the media that seems to rain on his reputation. I really don’t know if its true, but I’m warming up to the idea of some offense off the bench.

Bruce Bowen could start and have AT off the bench, but I think that 1 position is more in need of a backup then that 3 position of a starter. Baron Davis is alwasy hurt and Mike Taylor didn’t do well at all during the summer league. Very unconvincing. Now with Ai, he can play backup for both the 1 and 2 position, which means that if Gordon or Baron is ever hurt, AI can start. And when they’re both healthy, Ai can still generate about 25-30 mins or more per game. If we start winning, Ai should be happy..

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jul 19, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

hopefully if they get ai

it works out.

i am always hopeful.

Clippers Basketball.... It's Masochistic!

by Clipochistic on Jul 20, 2009 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Bowen could show AT how to play some D

but to play, i don’t think so, the Clips are supposed to be a young starter team, maybe Bowen can play in blowouts.

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.

by tomkanti on Jul 20, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

That'

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jul 20, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Damnit. I hit tab and space...

I dunno about that idea.. Who goings to back up Thornton at the 3? Collins? I think that I would take Bowen over Collins in a heartbeat because Bowen is a very established 3. Play’s great defense (and dirty) and also can score without the ball. Not a great scorer, but a lesser version of Battier type player.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jul 20, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions