I was lucky enough to get an invitation to a FoxSportsNet tour of the Clippers new training facility today from 11:00-1:00.  When we arrived we were able to watch the Clippers play five-on-five scrimmages.  Count ‘em, ten Clippers were there on a volunteer basis. 

Those playing were: Davis, Telfair, Gordon, Thornton, Butler, Griffin, Smith, Camby, Jordan and, yes, Kaman.  I asked if others had been around, and they said Ricky Davis has been there working hard the past few weeks, but was just missing during this time.  I don’t know about Collins, Skinner or Novak.  By the way, if anyone thinks Griffin cannot shoot the 18-foot jumper- WRONG!  I saw him bury several.  I also saw Telfair make a couple three’s.

We then got a Q&A session in the film room hosted by Michael Eaves with Coach Dunleavy and Blake Griffin.  They talked about the upcoming season, changes in the Clipper coaching staff and changes in the Clippers roster.  Coach loves the depth he has this season, the best ever he said.  They talked about the advantage of having the training facility to call home.  I asked Coach how close, if at all, were the Clips to getting Allan Iverson.  He was very candid, saying that they inquired, thought he would be a great spark to come off the bench to add scoring and energy.  However they felt he was not willing to come off the bench, and they never felt he wanted to commit be being a team player.  This was the impression Dunleavy got from talking with AI.  

Someone else asked about Blakes brother, blah, blah.

I was then able to talk to Andy Roeser for a few minutes.  I asked him about retiring a Clipper number (Randy Smith or Bob McAdoo).  He said they have considered it, but because both players were most famous from being outside Los Angeles (Buffalo and San Diego), he felt it was not appropriate to the LA fans.  He was also wearing his famous suit jacket with the lining inside from the draft lottery.  He said, “I sleep in this thing”.  He said the Clippers were very fortunate to get a “franchise” player like Blake and that they do not come along very often.  He promised the Clippers would be the most improved team in the league and even mentioned that they would be up-tempo.