Clippers Welcome Rasual Butler to LA
by Steve Perrin on Aug 17, 2009 2:20 PM PDT
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PrintThe Clippers held a press availability to introduce Rasual Butler today. GMMDsr answered questions for about 15 minutes, and then Rasual held forth for another 10.
There's a certain pride discernible in GMMDsr's approach to the team right now. You can tell that he feels pretty good about where the roster is at this point. He's not taking credit for the blind luck of winning the lottery - but he's made some systematic moves in the wake of drafting Blake Griffin that have been really logical. It remains to be seen how the team will play when the season starts - but the word that keeps coming to mind about the moves this off-season is 'coherent'.
Drafting Griffin was a no-brainer of course. But the one vein that reporters tried to mine for controversy or doubt prior to the draft was the 'backlog' in the front court. After all, the Clippers' leading scorer and most expensive player from last season plays the same position as Griffin. Well, all the team has done since then, via three separate trades, is turn Zach Randolph into the primary back up (or even one potential starter, see below) at four positions on the floor (the fifth position already going three deep). Given the youth movement, simply shedding Randolph for nothing might have been considered addition by subtraction - adding Telfair, Smith, Butler and yes, even Madsen, is also addition by addition.
Dena of the Clippers will likely have the full video of the interviews up on their YouTube channel before I've finished this post, so I'm not going to try to regurgitate everything here (if it's not there yet, keep checking). But the highlights from MDsr included:
- He was actively reaching out to teams over the luxury tax with players they liked. The Hornets and Butler were high on that list. The Hornets were initially reluctant, but eventually decided to move forward.
- As I was trying to think of a tactful way to ask the question, Kevin took care of it for me: "Can you envision a scenario in which Butler would be the starter at small forward?" Coach went with the "It's a competition" answer. But it's pretty clear it's not a competition at the 1, the 2 or the 4. So take that for it's worth.
- Coach emphasized (as he has in the press recently) the importance of guys coming into camp in shape. He also shared this tidbit: he considers a player 'in shape' if they can run the three man weave, three passes and a layup, for 10 layups in 60 seconds, and do that three times. There were players on the team last season that NEVER reached that point, all season. He also implied that some of last season's injuries were at least partially due to poor conditioning, saying that there is such a thing as being "injury-prone" as it relates to conditioning. Bottom line - expect conditioning to be a major theme from now through training camp.
- The quote of the interview though was when I asked him if he thought the roster was at a point where he could be less active on the phones now, despite having more of that trade exception to work with. He said no. "I get up in the morning, read what you guys have written, see if any of it makes sense, and start working the phones." So I followed up saying "Coach reads Clips Nation" and he said "Coach reads Clips Nation." So keep posting your trade ideas, and if it happens, you can take the credit. Butler goes to Citizen hans007.
For his part, Butler seems like a really good guy, and happy to be here. He said he feels like the Clippers are "a playoff team." He said he views himself as a veteran presence, and that he's willing to do what the coach asks him to do, whether that's start or come off the bench, play the two or the three. And then most of the rest of the conversation was between him and Eric Pincus, who are both obsessed with Twitter. (Seriously, it will be interesting having such an active Tweeter on the team - Butler is easily the most prolific Clipper, even more active the DeAndre Jordan.)
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Active the D. Jordan?
FIRE ALL MISSILES! :p
Good post, Steve. I’m happy to hear that MDSr isn’t hanging up the phones just yet and surprised that he reads Clips Nation. :o
Stuck in limbo.
"Coach reads Clips Nation."
This must be pleasing to Jax. I would say the majority of people don’t get the satisfaction of knowing that “The Man” is actually reading what they are trying to “stick to him”.
I do wonder, though, if Jax were to meet MDSr., would he shoot from the hip, or would it be one of those Frost Nixon moments when James Reston crumbled in Tricky Dick’s presence and called him “Mr. President”.
BTW, conditioning. This further fuels my vendetta against Jason Powell. The Lakers don’t have “conditioning” problems.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
i'm digusted
that Jasen Powell graduated from the college I’m attending…..
oh well, at least I’m not taking Kinesiology as a major.
..what’s his contract status anyways? how much longer are we haunted by him?
Shouldnt part of this
be blamed on that we didn’t even have our own place to practice? We finally do so let’s hope the injuries and conditioning get better this year.
Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!
Eric Pincus says Rasual is rocking number 42.
Interesting choice for his number…
Stuck in limbo.
....
Really???
I was hoping to burn the #42 jersey on the day Brand comes to LA tooo..
Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!
Oh yeah....
I meant to mention that. Maybe I can bring mine out of retirement…
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 Aug 17, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Great post
The “Coach reads Clips Nation” comment should definitely be taken with a grain of salt. Let’s say he’s aware of it.
On conditioning: it worked for the Clips before, when FElton took the bait, and then Kaman 2.0 appeared the year after that. It seems that the player turnover last year created some major challenges in this department, and then the team was in the toilet before anybody knew what hit them. Should be better this year. If DG’s work ethic can rub off on DJordan, and Kaman and Baron step up in a serious way, the Clips could be tough. I’m looking for a significant transformation from BD, and I’d be curious what the GSW crowd would say about the changes in BD in year 1 and year 2 at GSW.
Questions I’m curious about: KA didn’t ask about rebounding? Curious about how “coach” (we call him GMMDSr for analytical purposes, but it seems that the players and everybody calls him “coach,” which complicates matters) would respond to the general rebounding question, and would like to see KA or someone get more specific about issues of rebounding from the wings and PG. Thornton, Gordon, and now Butler are not putting up sufficient rebounding numbers. How come, and what is the plan to address that? Obviously having a healthy Camby and Kaman and adding Griffin and Jordan could help quite a bit. Even Craig Smith isn’t a high-volume rebounder at all. Griffin might be able to help quite a bit, but we have to remember he’s effectively replacing Zbo, who got plenty of rebounds.
That’s the only question mark raised by Butler (and Smith), which seem like outstanding deals for the most part.
Great point
The Clippers wings are all statistically horrible when it comes to rebounding. Griffin will help because he snags boards outside of his area, but there needs to be a bigger emphasis placed on the wings boxing out on the defensive end. Gordon and Butler aren’t going to get up and pull down rebounds in a crowd, but both should be fundamentally sound enough and strong enough to keep their men out of the paint.
Thornton
Thornton just needs to rebound better this year. Better shot selection, get more rebounds, move the ball around a little better, and he’ll make a big improvement.
Gordon blocks shots, which is kinda cool, but it’s relatively unnecessary and challenging so many shots so intensely has to be hurting his rebounding. He’s undersized, as we know, but we remember how he measured out in the physical stats (jumping, strength, reach) with Westbrook, and RW has been a rebounding demon—partly because RW can’t shoot.
by citizen zhiv on Aug 17, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay, he can shoot
Sometimes I forget that Westbrook is one of my favorite players. He can shoot. Just not nearly as well as Eric Gordon.
Does anybody remember just how great a shooter Eric Gordon is? How he heats up sometimes and everything starts going in? He didn’t shoot at all in summer league, just went to the basket and worked on posting up. Maybe some of us are forgetting.
by citizen zhiv on Aug 17, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Steve, you chimed in with the "coach reads ClipsNation" comment
towards the end of the video and the reported across from you said something as well that cracked everyone including coach up…I can’t make out what he said, do you recall? and who was it?
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.
Andrew Kamenetzky...
One of the famous Kamenetzky brothers who blog the Lakers for the LA Times. Yes, it’s so slow in August that Andrew is reduced to covering the introduction of Rasual Butler as a Clipper.
Anyway, he said “Which one of us have you found fabricates the most?” or something along those lines.
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 Aug 17, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions
On Conditioning
From Clipperblog:
“Toward the end of his media session, Dunleavy spoke about the physical regimen he requires of his players — their body fat targets and conditioning programs. He also described a torturous, 60-second, three-man weave drill he had to perform himself as a rookie more than 30 years ago.
"If you can do that," Dunleavy said, "then you’re in shape."
Dunleavy paused, then added wistfully, "Last year, I don’t think we ever got to it. Period.""
What I really like about this is the old school element—“thirty years ago.” Of course that really appeals to me. Unless I’m mistaken, that’s when I was in my own basketball prime.
This is probably inspired by Blake Griffin, who is quickly establishing the fact that he has a tremendous work ethic, one that he’s trying to share with the rest of the team.
MDSr. has been there. We probably need another category: PlayerMDSr. I mentioned this to some one the other day, wondering if BDavis and CoachMDSr were on the same page. PlayerMDSr worked his ass off, no two ways about it. He certainly wasn’t the most athletically gifted player to play in the NBA. But he worked hard, was professional, played his role, understood how the team worked, and what he had to do. Phil Jackson wasn’t so different. The work ethic that MDSr had as a player is a nice potential asset, if he can transfer it more effectively to the team.
His shot went in. The Clips have shooters like Gordon and, hopefully, Novak. Shooters are an asset. I remember there was a time when the Clips weren’t shooting any threes at all, lowest in the league, and the media thought that CoachMDSr didn’t like the long ball. He bristled, saying that he led the league in 3-pt shooting—you think he doesn’t like the long ball? Guys have to make it.
The Clippers have to shoot better. If you’re in shape, your shooting percentage goes up. The shot is in the legs, the strength, the conditioning. Same as it ever was.
i wasnt there but i don't get it
If he starting lineup for three positions is already set, who cares about the test? What are the consequences for not passing? Read – nothing. Do they get paid less if they don’t pass? No. Sounds like idle chatter.
Funny you talk about getting in shape to shoot. Conditioning I think is more important for a running uptempo team. Teams that get after it. Not the mindset here I guess.
by Jax on Aug 18, 2009 8:41 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
spicey
open competition at the 3 and the 5.
i like the affirmative non-comittal.
competition is good!
Clippers Basketball.... It's Masochistic!
The subject was Rasual...
But the other names that coach raved about were Griffin and… Kaman. I was surprised, but Kaman was the guy he went out of his way to praise.
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 Aug 17, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Hello Steve
just curious what he said about Kaman. If i remember right, Kaman and Brand use to go at it at practice. Id love to know how Blake stacks up.
Speed
He just raved about Kaman’s speed for a big man. When he talked about conditioning drills, Griffin and Kaman were the two he singled out as being most likely to be able to pass the test.
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 Aug 17, 2009 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions
what about the "dunk the f'n ball" test?
Ask him about that one.
by Jax on Aug 18, 2009 8:24 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
just can't see
Camby coming off the bench
by Jax on Aug 18, 2009 1:22 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I think it is preferable
And I think he will welcome it. Camby and Craig Smith are a good fit off the bench. Griffin and Kaman as the starters would be a nice balance.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
I would respectfully disagree
Griffin is a rebounding and offensive beast. Camby is better than Kaman.
well its arguable, but i’m sure BG and Camby are the best bigs on the Clippers.
so do you start them together and expect them to own the other team enough that when the other two bigs (Kaman/Smith) come in there is not as much to expect from them?
or
split them up and have BG do his thing to help out the starting unit and while he rests, Camby is there to do his thing?
you also have to consider the talents of the 4 bigs..
While Camby is better than Kaman (defensively), BG can make up for some of Kaman’s disadvantages/goofiness.
And off the bench, Smith has the hustle to defend but is greatly undersized. So Smith’s offense will make up for Camby and Camby’s superior defense will make up for Smith’s liabilities….plus its nice to have two hustling bigs come in as reserves to get the team going (whether they are winning or behind)
True
Kaman is probably a better scorer than Camby IMO. Maybe he’d feast on the second unit. Camby seems to me to be more of a complimentary player.
Good topic for a separate post I suppose.
it luxury to answer it as: it depends
if clippers need a defensive lineup vs. the opposing team – camby starts
if the clippers need an offensive lineup – kaman starts
similar can be said for the Al Thornton/Rasual Butler starting debate (to get back on the topic if this post…haha)
And you didnt even account for DJ.
We are stacked at the Center position. I cant remember the last time the Clippers had this much talent in my lifetime at the Center position.
I expect it will be Kaman/Griffin
Camby/Griffin leaves the other team’s best low post defender on Griffin and Griffin had problems getting his shot of in the summer league against taller players who won’t even sniff the D-league. I think expectations are being set pretty high for what Griffin is going to be able to do as a rookie. It’s really hard for a rookie to come in and dominate at a front court position. Players are so much bigger and stronger than anyone he played against in college.
I think Kaman/Griffin will set up some pretty interesting match up problems for other teams as did Kaman/Brand. A healthy Chris Kaman commands a double team in the post, remember he did average 16/12/3 blocks and shot over 50% from the field in the 70 games he played prior to his foot injury last year. Having Kaman on the floor with him will make it much easier for Griffin, on the offensive end at least, than having Camby on the floor with him.
assuming Kaman is back
…if Kaman is the same as last year, then teams may still choose to put their best low post defender on Griffin and/or Kaman’s defender will cheat on him for BG. thus defeating the purpose…plus on top of that giving BG less help on D.
Remember Camby is a helpside defender, so that means he’ll be helping defend BG’s man, while Kaman won’t…and BG might even have to cover his (Kaman’s) man.
Based on last year and (the lack of info) this season…there is no reason for teams to worry about Kaman
It's cool that they've given you so much access...
…so if Dunleavy reads this blog (which he might or might not) does that mean he’s aware of your stance that he should have been fired as coach?
I’ll be curious to see, as bloggers get more access, whether they’re stances and opinions soften.
Unlike most sports journalists they are not “objective” and often take more radical stands than even the columnists.
Will ClipperSteve call for Dunleavy’s head when he has to ask him questions in the post game?
I am much obliged to Steve Perrin for his wonderful blog and I don’t mean to suggest that he will effected in such a way but it is an interesting to see “blogging” mature as a media form.
It's a valid question...
All I can say is we’ll see. Whereas many bloggers are more opinionated than columnists, I don’t tend to think of myself that way. When I have said that MDsr should have been fired, it’s generally been based on my impression of what other NBA teams would have done in the same situation. I also have the luxury of NOT being TJ Simers or Bill Simmons – I hope that I seem pretty level-headed in comparison.
If having the access to talk to the man face-to-face occasionally makes me consider what I’m saying in order to be certain that it’s justified and supported, that’s not a bad thing.
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 Aug 18, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
competition at the 3
Hello! first time poster long term lurker here.
I am all for Butler being the starting SF/playing majority of the minutes since he is a far better outside shooter and defender than Thornton. Neither is much of a passer so no big deal there. Bring Al off the bench for 15 mins of scoring.
Welcome to the light...
Obviously the coach is going to have the benefit of training camp to help make these decisions, but in broad strokes I tend to think that Butler would be a good fit in the starting lineup (defense and range), but that Thornton would still get a lot of minutes (athleticism, big time offensive game). My guess is that the wing rotation will be filled primarily by Gordon, Thornton and Butler – that’s an average of 32 minutes per, if no one else plays in those spots. That’s a lot of minutes.
But I’ll tell you this – if Butler plays solid D, he’ll be on the floor.
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 Aug 18, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Aside for that
15 mins per game? That’s a bit too few don’t you think. If you want Thornton off the bench, I would assume he gets Maggette-bench mins also? Or maybe just 23+?
Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!
Thornton sucks
Honestly, I am convinced that Thornton is a huge negative on the floor.
Last season he played 37mpg, shot 44.5%(25% on 3s), averaged 5rpg, 17ppg. I wont pour out the stats to you for now but Al had the worst +/- on the team, the defense is far worse with him on the court and his rebounding numbers are extremely poor not to mention nonexistent passing ability. Clippers’s SF as an unit is far below league average in every major statistical categories and ratings.
It is true that he is very athletic and can certainly improve at rebounding and defense. Personally I am doubtful and the fact is he will be 26. I say get rid of him while he has tremendous value and we will be better off with a “glue” guy type.
by ClippersCurse on Aug 18, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually if I remember correctly from previous post
I remember Thornton possibly having the worse /-‘s in the league. But let’s not get into that. Truth is, there are many factors to it. Your right, Thornton is very inconsistent and many in ClippersNation groan everytime he had the ball last season. But of couse tha was only his second year in the NBA. Can’t really doubt that he won’t improve much. I advocate that Thornton still get atleast 26-30 mins.
Plus, although 26, he still has a good amount of time to improve and is a cheap price we have him at.
Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!
let all be like Baron Davis
and erase our memory of last year (except for EJ, DJ, and to an extent MT)
so what’s left in our memory is AT’s awesome rookie season where he was arguably #2 behind none other than current Hyperizer Velvet Hoop (Kevin Durant)
haha
I think Al would be best utilized coming off the bench.
He is an energy player and will thrive competing against other teams second units
Just look at what he does on the court...not how he does it or what he says.
Or it will make you crazy….
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