Introducing the TimberClippers
by Steve Perrin on Jul 23, 2009 11:45 PM PDT
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PrintSo, as you may know already, I was at the press availability with the newest Clippers, Craig Smith, Sebastian Telfair and Mark Madsen today. MDsr also answered some questions for the press. The videos are available at the Clippers YouTube Channel, and were linked by Citizen STUCK IN LA earlier today. So the best thing is probably to just go and watch the videos, since pretty much the whole event is there.
My quick impressions from being there include:
- Telfair is much more self aware than I assumed he would be. Three trades in 5 NBA seasons has been a little hard on him, and he's willing to admit that. For a kid who was hyped beyond belief in High School, he actually seems quite down to earth and humble.
- Craig Smith is genuinely excited to be back in LA. He grew up in the city, and played ball at Fairfax high before heading to Boston College. Oh, and after a college career in Boston and three pro seasons in Minneapolis, he's pretty happy to return to southern California weather.
- Mark Madsen is just a hoot. After all these years, people still ask him about the 'parade dance', and he takes it all in stride. Both 'energy guy' and 'locker room guy' were thrown around today. But maybe he's just a nice guy.
There's a little more meat in Dunleavy's answers.
- Telfair was the starting point for this trade, with MDsr getting on the phone shortly after the draft in which the Wolves took two points in the lottery.
- He didn't want to answer any questions about Iverson and Sessions. He did say that they're not necessarily done, but didn't tip his hand at all.
- He's not worried about Griffin's shoulder, and isn't even sure when the injury occurred.
- He was surprised (as I think we all were) by how good Griffin was at making plays for teammates in Vegas.
- He also talked at length about the progress Blake has made with his shooting, and that was the one regret he allowed himself with the injury - Griffin had made so much progress in such a short time, coach just wishes he could be working on the shot now.
It was also interesting just talking shop with some of the guys who were there - it was an online heavy group, with myself and Kevin, Eric Pincus and Andrew Kamenetzky (by the way, the poll was my idea) in the house. Opinions are all over the place as to whether the Clippers will make an offer to Ramon Sessions, what that offer might be, whether it's a good idea, and what the Clippers might do next.
But we're all just going to have to wait and see I guess.
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from the sound of it you asked MDsr the question about adding shooters…it sounds like there was only 1-2 guys asking questions and none of them were from fox or 7 (the 2 biggest outlet within camera view).
Roger Sterling: I bet there were people in the Bible walking around, complaining about "kids today."
Don Draper: Kids today, they have no one to look up to. Cuz they're looking up to us.
Correct
Pincus hits in the lead off spot – he asked the first question in each of the four interviews. (I haven’t done this enough to know if it’s an unwritten pecking order or just attitude. Maybe a little of both. But when Dillman is there, she usually goes first, so that’s interesting. All a new world for me.) He also probably asked about half the questions total. The TV guys asked very little…. actually, the stations only sent camera crews, but one camera guy knew Mark from Laker days, and he asked the ‘dancing’ question. Kamenetzky was probably the next most active questioner, I asked my ‘one each’ this time, and Kevin asked a couple total. There was one other guy asking questions who I did not know – might have been free lancing for AP, since they had a story on it.
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 24, 2009 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I've had three opportunities to be a part of the pre-game Joe Torre chats
and I’ve found that of the 10-15 “reporters” very few actually ask questions, so after the big guns take their turns, I can usually get around 4 – 5 questions in near the end of the process. This last time I didn’t wait until the end, and as soon as I sensed a lull I jumped in.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
what shape does rhino look like he is in?
guy looks solid
Roger Sterling: I bet there were people in the Bible walking around, complaining about "kids today."
Don Draper: Kids today, they have no one to look up to. Cuz they're looking up to us.
Kevin and I were talking about that...
After the interview sessions, all the players switched into unis for some promotional photos. In street clothes, Smith looked trimmer than I remember him. But in his uniform, he’s just a different shape than most ballers. He’s got a low center of gravity… a big butt. Of course, he uses all of that to his advantage on the court. So my conclusion is that he’s in good ‘shape’ (physical condition), but that it’s a somewhat unique ‘shape’ (more round than most players).
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 24, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions
I like....
The new guys and their interviews. I think from what I saw their personalities are pretty solid. Mark M. has always been a stand up guy but, I really liked Craig Smith. He is a LA boy back home and seems to be really happy about it. I don’t care what others say but I am liking the direction of this team and think that MDSr. has made some good moves—- and is not done yet.
quick opinion: I don’t think we should get Sessions without trading some money away
Another movie reference
Sorry, guys, to interrupt this interview critique, but it hit me while listening to Dunleavy — throw in a couple odd pauses, and he sounds just like Christopher Walken. Call it the timbre.
And Steve, I thought I spotted your question a couple times, since each time there was a follow-up, I figured it didn’t comply with your ‘one-question’ rule. So I give up.
I can see it...
Is Walken a brooklyn guy? He is, right?
I think the correct answers have come up on one thread or another.
Smith – asked about lighting up the Clippers.
Telfair – asked about draft day, if he had a feeling he’d be traded when they picked two PGs in the lottery
Madsen – what exactly is a ‘locker room guy’?
MDsr – do you need more shooters?
Grades? How did I do?
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 24, 2009 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Not bad at all young man
You’ll be asking those first questions in a couple of years, showing the newbies the ropes!
You must really enjoy being this close to the action now, getting this press access in order to get your own questions asked etc.
Also, does anyone vet the questions first or are you just expected the be professional enough to know the limits?
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
No vetting
There’s no time for that anyway. So yeah, if you go in there and act like a goof, you just won’t be back the next time.
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 24, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Say for example
the team is going through a tough patch. Do you think you’d be able to ask any probing questions to MDSr or Kim Hughes about team performance and still be allowed back in next time?
By limits I was sort of meaning how far you could use probing questions rather than acting life a goof. I’m sure a first introduction like these isn’t that place but how would you feel asking questions like that later in the season, in a different type of press interview (or is that by order of unwritten pecking order also)?
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
If you're not allowed to ask probing questions then what's the point of the press?
If we wanted the company line from the Clippers about why things are all hunky-dory they could just send out press releases.
by Michael White on Jul 24, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Easy to say harder to do
when the player you might be asking a negative question of is only five feet away. Easy to ask “What did you think of Jason Schmidt’s performance in two years?” as opposed to "Jason Schmidt’s fastball couldn’t break glass, how many times will you let him start before turning to another option?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Which is why
the Clippers have gotten away with never explaining anyting for years – that and the fact that the Clippers are apparently ok with not getting very much publicity
Well, I think we’re dealing with the Laker issue here too. I appreciate what Phil is saying in that Phil and Steve (bloggers) are still basically invited guests. But with the Dodgers, even if Phil doesn’t ask Andruw Jones to get on a scale, you still have Simers there who will make those bombastic gestures when necessary or unnecessary. The Clippers simply won’t have that absent a serious change in the culture whereby the Clippers are a winning team for several years. As such, Simers and Plaschke will write the stories about the Lakers, Dodgers, USC football, etc. There is no pitbull who is going to challenge MDSr because as of now, that doesn’t sell papers, and from a fiduciary standpoint it’s not worth Simers’ time to be asking Clipper executives questions.
Taking a step back from my initial post, I realize it would be unfair of me to ask Steve to be like Simers. The blog thing is too new, and there would be zero ramifications if the Clippers banned bloggers from receiving access— as opposed to if they did that to an LA Times reporter it would unleash a huge can of worms. Basically, I feel as a reader of this site, for now, access is enough. I’d rather Steve had access even if he has to shy away from asking certain questions as opposed to have no access. As long as Steve doesn’t shy away from criticizing MDSr et al on this forum (because he doesn’t want to lose his access) it works for me.
Maybe things will change though. As newspapers get phased out, perhaps it will be allowable to have bloggers ask whatever questions they like, without fear of retribution (as it is for mainstream reporters now.) This is all so new that the landscape could be drastically different by the time Blake Griffin enters his year 23 season.
by Michael White on Jul 24, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well said
I was writing my comment with reference to Simers before I read this one. You’ve probably made my point better than I did.
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 24, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
It's interesting stuff that you've put
and very interesting how this relatively new blogging phenomena is going to carve a niche in sports reporting. The fact that it’s easily accessible and not accountable to any organisation means that often the most frank of views and opinions are exchanged here.
However, Steve appears to be entering a slight cross-over period (couldn’t think of a better term) in that he’s still a top blogger but also having press access.
Kevin Arnovitz has sort of crossed that line further than Steve in my opinion (no offence SP) with his intro into the world of ESPN and his work for them. Whilst KA has excellent skills at breaking down a game and seeing the on court action, it’ll be interesting to see if he changes his blog writing in accordance to any boundaries that ESPN set out regarding team criticisms and contraversial situations.
Maybe that’s bull and they say nothing and let KA has the freedom to write as he wants but as he’s part of the TrueHoop network which is so prominant there, I’m sure there are things he’ll like to say this year that he’ll have to think twice about saying due to his new affiliation.
I’m not sure newspapers will be phased out as such. I know in the US, you are seeing some large, old staple diet papers shutting down but surely, more and more will go online and they will still have some physical circulation sales (I’m sure we’ve all listened to Simmons’ podcasts about it).
Like you said though, a few years down the line, it’ll be interesting to see if and how top team bloggers access to press varies and how the other media types view them.
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
I think it's a process
Bearing in mind that I have no idea what I’m doing so I may be completely wrong, I think that I probably don’t have the cred to ask super hard-hitting stuff at this point. Phil’s point below is well-taken as well – there are right and wrong ways to ask questions.
Example: I think it’s perfectly valid to ask MDsr why the Clippers coach wasn’t fired last season (I’m not being snarky – if he looked at the record and team performance and put himself in management’s shoes, why would he not fire a coach with that record). But I’m not going to ask him that at this point – it’s too confrontational, I wouldn’t get an answer anyway, and I’d probably never get an answer again. Would Lisa Dillman ask that question? I don’t know. She hasn’t.
Part of this comes back to the traditional roles of the beat reporter versus the columnist as well. That’s a Simers question. Bloggers are trying to figure out who they are in that world.
I feel another meta-post coming on.
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 24, 2009 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
OK
I totally understand that you couldn’t go in all guns blazing. Like any business, you need to earn the respect of your peers and people you deal with. Over time though, depending on how the blogger world goes and whether you get snapped up by another site/company, I’m sure you’ll find ways of angling questions to make them interesting for the target.
There is nothing worse for me than a player interview with questions that just blinker them down a tunnel so the player can only give the expected answer. Whilst you don’t want players who are doing a quick half time interview to have to stop and think much due to time restraints and concentration levels still being in the game, those practice and pre/post game interviews are so much more interesting when the questions lead to the player giving an unexpected answer or an insight into a play or his team or the game in general that the everyday fan doesn’t know about.
I think you’d done a great job getting where you have Steve. You don’t want to run before you can walk so for now well done but in 5 years, I want you slapping down that first question!! ha ha ha
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
SOMEBODY should ask that question
It’s a great question in part because it highlights the silliness of the situation.
I say – Steve, assume the sale. The Clippers need you. You have power and leverage. Papers, on the other hand, are dying. You are the new breed – the appeal to younger NBA fans. Check NBA demographics. If anyone is going to get the Clippers to start acting like a responsible organization, it’s people like you who care and who have leverage.
And of course
You are where you are in part because of us. Clippers fans who give a shiite. Essentially the core of the fans. Because we care, you care. They are inviting you to the table because they believe they can get free publicity from you and that it’s worth it.
You’ll figure out what to do.
Good conversation
Yes, it’s a process. SP will proceed according to his own nature. Nothing wrong with getting the lay of the land, getting comfortable. Plus it’s nice that the blogger credential comes at the beginning of what may be a new day in Clipperdom. It’s not a clean slate—all of the statements and opinions at Clipsnation are on the record (maybe SP should hand MDSr a print out of the Maggettifesto, and ask for his thoughts!)—but a big part of what SP and KA are doing is filling a basic “coverage” vacuum. A process.
It’s fascinating to see this evolve. And it’s not just the timing for SP, as KA is going boldly where few bloggers have gone before, something that’s evolving each day. KA, it seems, was laying relatively low in his first couple of months and working to build the “TrueHoop Network,” but it turns out that his arrival in the big time would take place during “the Blake Griffin summer league,” as we might need to call it (I might call it the Griffin-Jordan summer league, but that’s me). Now he’s plastered all over the ESPN main page. I think KA was calculated in his approach, experience, and qualifications; it’s an impressive rise.
Good time to be a Clipper fan.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 24, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
We have a very very long way to go
We will only have arrived when MDSr and management level with us about what is happening with the team, good and bad. When they apologize for mistakes they’ve made. When they admit responsibility. When they start acting like they care about us. Steve is a vital part in that.
This is a slightly better time to be a Clipper fan, not yet a good time.
Steve, take us home.
First rate discussion...
I think we’ve seen SP’s ability to maintain balance in often heated dialogue. His site is a success because of who he is. He’s not a homer nor is he a reactionary. His behavior as a new member of the press corps will reflect his instincts… he’ll be good at it. It’s obvious.
+1
ClipsNation has long been a great forum for discussing the Clips and reading the opinions of knowledgeable fans. It’s great to see the Clippers recognize this, and I’m looking forward to seeing SP use this access to take the site to the next level.
C'mon, let's keep Stevo's Ego In Check
before he gets a house in the Hollywood hills and a maid, chaufferred limo’s to Clips Nation Towers in the morning and gets his kids to remove all the red M&M’s!!!!
Bingo! Oh me oh my!
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