Hollinger Offers Some Rare Clippers Optimism
Los Angeles Clippers
They stunk last season, plus they're the Clippers, which means they could screw this up at a moment's notice. But the offseason certainly pleased the Clipper faithful. First overall pick Blake Griffin should be a double-double guy immediately, and the trade of Zach Randolph for Quentin Richardson gives the Clips cap space for a free-agent run next year. Better yet, they parlayed Richardson into frontcourt depth with a second deal with Minnesota for underrated forward Craig Smith.
But the biggest reason to like the Clips is because they were going to be better anyway. Baron Davis, Chris Kaman and Ricky Davis should all be in much better physical condition for this go-round, and second-year pro Eric Gordon should improve, too. Whether it's enough for a playoff run remains to be seen, but this version of the Clips should keep us entertained.
6 months ago
mikey p
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This is the first time I have given any thought to Ricky Davis contributing
but what if Hollinger is right? What if Davis is healthy and able to give 10ppg off the bench? Doesn’t solve the wing, glue guy problem. But at least it’s something.
So, depsite the obligatory “they are the Clippers” line, even hater Hollinger sees things on the upswing.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
by mikey p on Aug 12, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Davis
I’m very afraid. Classic Hollinger I guess—how does Ricky Davis get a mention in front of “second year pro” Eric Gordon? No Marcus Camby, no Al Thornton. It would have been nice to get “third year pro Al Thornton should improve too,” with some other statement about Gordon. Probably asking too much. Just Craig Smith, no Telfair? On the whole this is no different from a standard quick hit from Hollinger, and let’s not forget that he manages to get “they’re the Clippers” into the first sentence.
Forget about Ricky Davis. We haven’t heard about him or seen a commitment from him similar to what Baron has been doing. He’s trade fodder at this point, and should only be mentioned along with the trade exception and the expiring deals as part of flexibility and resources the Clips might have.
by citizen zhiv on Aug 12, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you think Thornton is going to improve?
I’m skeptical. How do you improve basketball IQ?
And Telfair is a career backup who really hasn’t done anything.
Maybe he knows something about Ricky Davis that we don’t.
by Jax on Aug 12, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're the Clippers means
That the team has the same coach, management and ownership that’s screwed things up forever. So while we have better players, and others are healthy, that’s just part of the equation. I don’t see anything wrong with that statement.
by Jax on Aug 12, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just wishful thinking
about Thornton. “Would have been nice” and “probably asking too much.”
Still, Hollinger is wrong. Looks like Rasual Butler just took that Ricky Davis spot.
by citizen zhiv on Aug 12, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"same coach, management and ownership that’s screwed things up forever"
False.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
by mikey p on Aug 12, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same ownership, but different management
whether this new management has also screwed up is debatable.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
by mikey p on Aug 12, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MDSr has been management for the last six years
And they are sub .400 in five of those six years, I believe. Either you win or you don’t.
by Jax on Aug 12, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"they're the Clippers"
Generally speaking, you’re right Jax, but Hollinger sure does like to beat the drum. He doesn’t really need to remind anybody that “they’re the Clippers,” but he seems to make sure that he does it.
I think it’s a problem because it prevents him from digging deeper in his analysis. It turns Gordon into an afterthought, for instance.
And “they’re the Clippers” thinking is inaccurate as often as it is true. There was a whole lot of “they’re the Clippers” going on after they won the lottery, where nobody could be sure, especially in the first few days, that they would pick Blake Griffin. Why wouldn’t they? Because “they’re the Clippers.” And, of course, being the Clippers, they had the untradeable Zach Randolph on the roster at the time.
by citizen zhiv on Aug 12, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You make some good points, but
the criticism is for the most part deserved, in my opinion. There are reasons for success and failure.
by Jax on Aug 12, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the very consistant
comments of Hollinger. He starts off with a paragraph full of negatives and back handed comments. I wonder if he’ll be at any of the games shown on ESPN..If so, I’ll kick him in the nuts.
by Qlippers on Aug 12, 2009 9:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why? The only way to earn respect is to win.
Was thinking the same thing about Ricky Davis as was mentioned by mikey p.
by Jax on Aug 12, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Incase people haven't noticed because it is a Fanshot
citizen 69Knicks is reporting that we have gotten Rasual Butler
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4394050
I think he should help give EJ some rest on the bench and should be a good offensive weapon and fits into the youth movement.
In Gordon we trust
by bestclipfan on Aug 12, 2009 10:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
nvm he is a 7 year vet but still not that old
In Gordon we trust
by bestclipfan on Aug 12, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like the pick up
hm, where’s our roster now?
13 players signed (including butler) and 1 payer with a qualifying
if the “one extra roster spot by season opener” sticks then does that mean we are set as far as signings?
only trades from here on out….?
by KidJustin on Aug 12, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that is the case then I would like Novak to get the last spot
In Gordon we trust
by bestclipfan on Aug 12, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
we have 1 free spot including novak...
so if anything the last spot goes to fred jones
by KidJustin on Aug 12, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would like to keep Jones and waive or dump Ricky
I think he could help in case of injuries.
In Gordon we trust
by bestclipfan on Aug 12, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i say hang on to Ricky
if he turns things around…he’s better than Jones. if not we trade him with madsen with TPE or any combination we want to for a really good player(s). or dump him later on.
either way we’ll open up a spot for Jones later in the season cuz u never know Jones may still be a FA by mid season. feel bad for the guy..but its possible. its not like he got attention as a clipper last season
by KidJustin on Aug 12, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
People can say what they like about MDSr. but...
he has tried to make some good solid moves in the past—- unsuccessful because management (Sterling/Roeser) turned them down. This includes the many trades he wanted to do to rid Maggette aka. Vince Carter with Marcus Williams and Jason Terry to name a few. In addition, the free agent signing of Baron ( a good signing before the bad season), Shaun Livingston, Cat, Cassell, Eric Gordon, Camby, and what he has done this off season. This includes the possibility of Sessions too.
MDsr. may not be much of a coach to some or many but you have to like what he is trying to do as far as players and setting up cap space for 2010.
p.s. Please don’t post anything about Korelev… we all make a few mistakes
KEEP IN MIND MOST OF HIS EXECUTIVE DECISIONS ARE PRETTY DANG GOOD WITH A FEW HICCUPS AND THE MISFORTUNE OF INJURIES.
PLUS GETTING LUCKY WITH BLAKE DOES NOT HURT
by ChrisS.Oaks on Aug 14, 2009 12:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't question him as a GM
he has done pretty well at that job. But I question his coaching skills (or lack there of) he can build a ship but he is incapable of steering it in a good direction most of the time. Hopefully that changes this season he surely couldn’t have built a much better ship but will he follow the winds to the playoffs or will he sail into a rock wall.
In Gordon we trust
by bestclipfan on Aug 14, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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