The Clippers are the Talk of the Town
by Steve Perrin on Jan 11, 2010 3:24 PM PST
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PrintObviously, the idea of a daily clippings post is one of those things that has fallen to the realities of life and time constraints. But I dusted off the clippings tool today to collect a bunch of what is out there right now. Needless to say, the Clippers are getting more ink and pixels than we are used to. By January 10, 2009, there weren't even any beat writers traveling with the team. If you wanted anything beyond the AP gamer, it was Steve or Kevin writing on their measly blogs.
Yesterday was one of those Staples Sunday double headers - Clippers in the afternoon, Lakers in the evening and as the Clippers media were wrapping up their stories, the Lakers crew had begun arriving. With the Lakers riding an ugly two game losing streak (including a loss to the Clips) while the Clippers had just won their fourth straight, the jokes about the 'best team in LA' were flying. Kidding aside, I had a couple of interesting encounters with LA Times employess.
Mark Medina, who had often filled in for Lisa Dillman on the Clippers, recently got his own beat as the Times' Lakers blogger after the Kamentskys left for ESPNLA. Poor guy - he went to the purple side just as the teams' fortunes were reversing (however briefly).
I also overheard a Times' senior NBA columnist, who I shan't name (rhymes with Park Chrysler) on the phone with his editor. I wasn't eavesdropping by any means, and you shouldn't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure I heard him say something to the effect that he wanted to write a piece on the Clippers instead of that other team because "The Clippers are more interesting right now."
There are many events converging to make the Clippers more interesting on the media scene. For one thing, ESPN launched ESPNLosAngeles, and has a bunch of new web pages to fill. Given that it's hard to think of anything else to say about the Lakers, the Clippers coverage was bound to increase. But obviously the fact that the team is playing well is a big part of it. Then there are the individual stories. Chris Kaman is playing like an All Star, despite not even being on the ballot. Meanwhile, Baron Davis is a story that media types love - he signed a huge contract to come home, had a terrible first season, and is experiencing a rennaissance this year.
Fun times. Here are some of the more interesting links to Clipper pieces around the web.
- NBA FanVoice > Time for some Clipper love?
Sekou Smith on his Hang Time blog at NBA.com - Clips off old stumbling block; Mike Dunleavy off the chopping block - latimes.com
Mark Heisler's excellent article from the LA Times - Defensive stand helps Los Angeles Clippers cap off impressive week - ESPN Los Angeles
Arnovitz on ESPNLA - I already linked this piece yesterday, but thought I'd collect eveything in one place. It's great stuff, as we've come to expect from Kevin. - Clippers keep sailing along through Heat - latimes.com
Lisa Dillman's recap of the win over the Heat in the LA Times, with some good quotes from Baron and EJ. - Los Angeles Clippers' Eric Gordon a star except with the referees - ESPN Los Angeles
Ramona Shelburne's piece on ESPNLA about Eric Gordon's lack of calls from the refs. - Ramona Shelburne: Los Angeles Clippers get Baron Davis they wanted - ESPN Los Angeles
Also from Ramona, a piece about Baron's resurgence with the Clippers - Dave McMenamin: Los Angeles Lakers learn lesson from Los Angeles Clippers - ESPN Los Angeles
After the Lakers game, Dave McMenamin of ESPNLA wrote a little about the Clippers. - Baron Davis rounding into form for Los Angeles Clippers - Ian Thomsen - SI.com
Ian Thomsen on SI.com after the Lakers game also on Baron regaining his form. - Chris Kaman Taking Charge, Making Case for All-Star Selection -- NBA FanHouse
Chris Tomasson on FanHouse about Kaman. - NBA.com: Reeling Wizards brace for fallout from Arenas incident
David Aldridge on NBA.com about Kaman. - Chris Kaman: Someone Made a Mistake With the All-Star Ballot -- NBA FanHouse
Elie Seckbach on FanHouse about Kaman, including video - NBA.COM on Kaman's old school style.
A video on NBA.com touting Kaman for the All Star game.
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Damn can't believe Lisa went there with EG and the refs
Got to respect that. I never thought much of it because I think that Eric has become so prone to losing the ball one on one that the refs believe he losses control rather than is fouled and when he does get the call it’s when he meets contact on the fastbreak. Nice media run I wouldn’t mind a trash for trash trade right now we need a switch at the two guard bench spot and another pure PG. Dunleavy should get on the phone and see if he can get some expiring guards off of a salary dump. Waive Rush and Skiiner or Rush and Novak.
It was Ramona...
Not Lisa. Maggette gets the call when he beats his man on the touch foul. Same with Wade and Kobe. That’s where Eric should get the call.
there was a call yesterday on a Gordon fast break
where the 2 refs couldnt agree on the call. Dick Bavetta called it a blockin foul where the other ref called it a charge. Very suspicious call if you ask me.
I thought it was a no call
but a strange call regardless
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 Jan 11, 2010 4:40 PM PST up reply actions
But the ball was dead
They had to re-start the game somehow.
There had to be someway around it...
…without giving each guy a foul. The jump-ball was also badly called… twice.
This is Madness! It's Clippers overload, are we still on Earth?
Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.
Clipournalism: now I'm even more frustrated
I had well over 500 words in the bank, rounding into old form (as BD goes, so goes zhiv), a frisky breakdown of SP, KA and some of the factors involved and the other players, before I zotzed it. Would have set the stage nicely for this post.
Sadly, I think I’ve already read all this stuff.
Can we add the “Exploring Kaman” link to the list?
Shows how easy
Bestowing a nickname can be sometimes. Chrysler it is as far as I’m concerned, from here on out. I like Chrysler; he’s a good writer, does a good job.
Just saying Chrysler negates the beauty of Park Chrysler just a tad.
by citizen zhiv on Jan 11, 2010 4:49 PM PST up reply actions
Haha!
It also carries the vibe of the estimable writer himself. He’s not a jazzy, souped up KA or Realllisa or Mister-mom modern SP… not some foreign jobby manufactured in Thailand or China. He’s in fact someone of humbler, even these days, rarer stuff, a classic American car, eight cylinders, pushrods banging. He still lives out in the valley, types on a Remington (or when the mood hits, writes in Wordstar). He’s all ink-stained and stinks of dead trees, and yes, somehow, he is still relevant. He’s Park Chrysler. Dammit.
by John Raffo on Jan 11, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
We get no love from the Press telegram!
This morning i happen to pick up a paper from the long beach press telegram and on the
front page of the sport section was the sloppy laker victory and our beat down amazing
victory against the miami heat on page 7. Last time i even bother to pick up that paper anymore.
The Press Telegram?
Other than Long Beach high school sports why does anyone ever read their sports section?
They don't cover the Clippers
The Daily News/Press Telegram don’t create any Clippers game content… unless a columnist decides to write about them. So I’m sure the story on page seven was an AP recap.
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 Jan 11, 2010 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
I get all my news from the best source "CLIPSNATION".
It seems we get it faster here than anywhere else thanks to all the citizens that share this
wonderful blog!
+1 Clipsnation is the best place for info regarding the #1 team in the world
I think Kevin writes interesting commentary, but so does Steve and many members of Clipper nation.
CLIPS!
i just don’t want any banwagon fans jumping along… everyone knows the best fans in the NBA are from long time losing franchises like the grizz, bucks, nets (overshadowed by Knicks) and the CLIPPERS!!
NEED OWN STADIUM
Clips need to move to their own stadium around the LA area… call it the SHIP YARD!
No we need to say in staples
there is no reason to move. As long as we are in LA we will always have some sort of media following us and right now at Staples we have the best arena in the NBA. Moving arenas or cities will not help us get more respect only winning will do that. And as you can see when we win we get respect and attention.
" Baron for the win, BINGO!!!! The Clipers Win, The Clippers win!!! "
Ralph Lawler
by bestclipfan on Jan 11, 2010 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
Which guy was Park Chrsyler?
Hi Steve, enjoyed chatting with you at the game. Curious, I’ve figured out who most of the journalists are at the game, but I’ve always wondered which one MH is. Is he the sort of trim guy, bald on top, grey on the sides, often wears like a baseball jacket with yellow leather sleeves (or something like that) ?
by Clipster Hipster on Jan 11, 2010 6:52 PM PST reply actions
MH
He’s not usually there, so I doubt it’s the guy you’re thinking of. Heisler is indeed thin and balding and gray – but gray all over, not just on the sides. He also has a mustache. That other guy you’re thinking of is one of the only ones I don’t know, I’m a tad chagrined to admit. I’ve snuck a glance at his credential before, but I can’t remember the name now, and I didn’t recognize it. He seems to be an old hand – he was the most curmudgeonly of all at the draft, for instance, and that was quite a curmudgeon fest. I should ask Lisa who he is.
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 Jan 12, 2010 11:57 AM PST up reply actions
Steve, I've wondered
Okay, I get it that the Clips weren’t worth the time of a dedicated reporter. What I don’t get is why, with such wonderful resources as you, Kevin and DJ (don’t blush, now), they didn’t just pay one of you to write one more piece for the dead-tree medium?
Also, a style matter — yeah, I know I’m a b*stard about these things — if you’re gonna use a pretentious word like ’shan’t’, you should probably have used ‘whom’ just before. As Turner said in ‘Performance,’ ‘go all the way.’
style
“whom I shan’t” obviously was the way to go. In fact, I submit that it was a typo as opposed to a grammatical error – I certainly know better, and yes, stylistically if you do one you must do the other.
As for the LAT… It’s simply not done that way in the news business. They wouldn’t ask for a freelance piece from someone who wasn’t actually at the game – that’s not first hand reporting in their estimation. It’s an increasingly meaningless distinction (especially when every post game coach’s press conference is on video) – but one they continue to make. Besides, that’s what the AP is for. You and I know that readers would rather have an article from someone who actually knows something about the team – but the newspaper business is more about ‘objective’ reporting of the facts, and the AP can give them that.
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 Jan 12, 2010 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
Chemistry
While being elated at the convincing victory over the Lakers and recent wins, I think back to how chemistry is related to this success. We all have expected much more from this year’s team based upon the great improvement in personnel over last year’s roster. However, I am convinced that team chemistry is a significant factor in the quality of play now, as opposed to the earlier part of this season. I believe that TIME is crucial in the development of team cohesion. Over time, players get to know each other, make a commitment to work together, and recognize each others strengths/weaknesses. Though we live in a “fast food” and expect-instant-success-in-sports society, team chemistry requires time and patience.
Go Clippers!
We all have expected much more from this year’s team based upon the great improvement in personnel over last year’s roster.
Who? Rasual Butler? The difference between this year and last year is that Kaman came back healthy and dominant, and Baron Davis stopped eating donuts and came to play. The bench got better but the big improvement in personnel has been injured all season.
by Michael White on Jan 11, 2010 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
Hmm, I don't know, mwhite...
Soccerdance15 makes a relevant point… maybe it’s just taken 30 games to develop some of the chemistry the teams seems to be working with. The way they seem to be trusting the defensive system… this isn’t stuff you just pick up in training camp. It takes a while to figure it out. His timing may have been a little off, but Baron was right when he said, “Don’t judge us now, judge us in twenty games.”
Griffin gets injured at the end of training camp, a shock. Boom, season starts. Baron’s in shape, playing well… but Thornton’s out of shape, Gordon gets injured, Rasual Butler is uh, awful. Sure, Kaman’s good but there’s no cohesion. Camby’s reliable but he’s not Griffin or Zach. It takes time to find the vibe.
Chemistry is timing, right? Find your matches, get your bunsen burner fired up, add this bit and before it vaporizes add another bit, then another, and another, then don’t let it go cold, or get too hot. Stand it up and see if it walks.
Chemistry? Biology? Both. We’re still in the Frankenstein stage: MDSr., lab coat and goggles, screaming in the tower… “It’s alive!”
Is it? Is it alive?
Maybe. It’s moving anyway.
It also takes a while to get the coach and the key players to adjust to each other
If in fact that’s what’s going on. Kaman can’t do anything without BD feeding him the ball. BD is an emotional guy who is not used to running fixed offensive sets. MDSr is not comfortable in the free flowing game. These forces and others have to figure out some way to coexist. Hopefully that’s what’s going on now.
As for Butler, mwhite seems pretty harsh. Butler is a key ingredient here. As BD has said, he helps to space the floor and allow BD to move more freely in the half court sets. So yes, Rasual is an important piece.
"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
If I may...
I think SD15 has a great point, but misspoke a bit in the specific quote. It’s not so much a great improvement in personnel over last year. But I think we were disappointed in last year’s performance based on the talent level (I know I was). The easy excuse has always been injuries – but that ignores the fact that the Clippers weren’t particular good the few times they were healthy, and that they were much worse than it seemed the should have been when they were hurt. So the chemistry factor would seem to possibly have some positive impact – but it’s taken a bloody long time to get there. It’s not this season – it’s a season and a half now we’ve been waiting.
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 Jan 12, 2010 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
I thought the Clippers were playing good ball last year before Randolph got Voshkuled. Similar stretch to what the Clips are going through now. I think they won 6 of 8 or something along those lines (it’s not a huge series of games but it was something I suppose.) Randolph gets sidelined due to a cheap shot, and by the time he was back the season was over. Even so, I never felt that team couldn’t compete on a given night. They beat the Celtics and went toe to toe with the Cavs, Lakers and Hornets late in the year. Sure the Clippers lost those games, but that was with no Kaman (oftentimes no Camby) and with the fake Baron Davis.
by Michael White on Jan 12, 2010 12:01 PM PST up reply actions
Sure
Zach getting Voskuhled was key. By the same token, they’d been embarrassed in Milwaukee the game before, so it already felt a little like the mini run (it was 5 of 7, btw) was fool’s gold. Then, losing 12 straight, with or without ZBo, still felt like underachieving. Overall though I agree with your points. The season was such an unmitigated disaster on so many fronts, it’s tough to take anything from it. And once the team is 8-30 after the losing streak (8-30!), the season is officially over and meaningless.
And a cautionary tale – we’re feeling good right now after a 5-1 stretch – it could all go south very quickly.
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 Jan 12, 2010 12:19 PM PST up reply actions
dont know why
but the picture and the article makes me think of that Broad way song…
They say that Clippers are makin bigg.. on Broadwayyy… On broadwayy
lol
Love this part in the Heisler column
“James doesn’t worry about curses, bumbling owners or being in the same town with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.
To ‘Bron, no curse could extend to him, all his owners do what he says and that would be Kobe and the Lakers’ problem."
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