Clippers Moving Forward Without LeBron James - Sign Foye, Gomes
by Steve Perrin on Jul 8, 2010 7:46 PM PDT
in News
Email
PrintI have to give the Clippers front office some credit.
They were clear-eyed enough about their chances of landing LeBron James that they had already moved forward with other plans.
LeBron's televised announcement was made about 6:30 pacific time.
Within 20 minutes, I had three emails from the Clippers in my inbox.
- A statement from Neil Olshey about LeBron's decision;
- An announcement concerning the signing of Randy Foye;
- An announcement concerning the signing of Ryan Gomes.
Our goal remains unchanged. We will continue to be exhaustive and use every available resource to assemble an exciting and successful team. We have a dynamic new head coach who will lead the very talented roster we already have in place. We will use the free agent market to enhance that roster. We expect to compete at a very high level.
The Foye and Gomes announcements are here and here on Clippers.com.
Look, obviously Foye and Gomes aren't in any way comparable to LeBron James. But the team isn't sitting around, pining away for what might have been, and these both look like decent pickups. I'm assuming (maybe hopeful is the better word) that neither of these were big money signing, meaning that the Clippers still have a decent chunk of change to spend.
In my plan B post last week, I recommended four priorities for the Clippers:
- A starting small forward;
- A backup wing;
- Another big;
- A backup point guard.
Foye slots in as the backup point guard, and can also play some two, which is nice. I wouldn't personally be satisfied with Gomes as the starting small forward, but he could be a decent choice as backup there and can help on the wing as well (though I'd prefer more of a pure shooter). And Sofoklis Schortsianitis, MBFGC, who I spoke with today, slots in nicely as the big. I think these are all reasonable rotation players in the NBA, and they're all relatively young (Foye 26, Gomes 27, Sofo 25). Essentially, this leaves the Clippers with one major hole, and presumably plenty of money to use to fill it. They still have plenty of roster spots, so if they find a small forward AND a shooter to spend more money on, that's OK by me.
Although it's probably not a good overall strategy to build your team with castoffs from the recent editions of the Minnesota Timberwolves (Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith, Foye and Gomes were T-Wolves teammates in 08-09), these are not bad players.
More on Foye and Gomes tomorrow.
173 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Miller is punished for having his birthday in the offseason but not Foye and Gomes?
Inconsistent!
Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball
Did I get age wrong?
Took it from the press releases…. Didn’t look it up myself (not a good excuse), but trying to squeeze out some posts before heading out to play hoops).
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
Not wrong
But both Foye and Gomes are September babies, so they will be 27 and 28 when the season starts.
Most would say this starts the downside of the career and potential and upside are off the table.
Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball
But are they still "long" and "bouncy"?
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
No..
Not long, not bouncy… those T-Wolves teams were always the anti-long teams.
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
until a capable starting SF is added to this team...
..this offseason will be a bust
Agreed
"look, you can find any coach you want, bring him in here and run the situation. But I don't think they are going to do as good a job as I do." -Mike Dunleavy Sr.
by CLiPPz WeRD 12 on Jul 8, 2010 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
That's how i feel
Why did the clips go after guys from losing teams. Why would you want players from a losing program to infect the youngsters on the team. The only guys on the team now who have one a playoffs series in the NBA is Kaman on the roster. I dont think bdiddy never made it out of the !st round. It looks like the clips are going for the youth movement. I’m all for trading for beasley now
new site title?
we just be plagerizin’. why ya’ll be criticizin’?
“plagiarizing” the Nike Hyperize commercial
forgot
yea that was good stuff so we have a total of 2 playoffs series win on the team .
How was your meeting with Baby Snaq?
And do you know how much he’ll sign for now?
Stuck in limbo.
I want Camby back
This has gone so horribl\y wrong. Still, I like Gomes though.
"I'm an All-Star in my mind. You don't have to have somebody tell you that, to be an All-Star. It doesn't work that way." -Sam Cassell
perfect...
Actually amazingly good. He used the phrase “selective hearing” at one point. I was like, whoa, that’s a pretty eclectic phrase.
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
Nice. I'm really glad to hear that.
It’s something that I have wondered for years. It’s great that there will not be a language barrier between him and his teammates.
More sophisticated than Vinnie's?
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Vinny
He’s going to coach the right way… he’s going to speak english the right way.
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
Lol
Glad we got that straight.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Kleiza has an offer sheet and Sofo is on the Clippers summer league team
Childress has to come back at this point, right?
Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball
Those guys...
Just reload. Remember, Kleizsa was only there one season and Childress only two. They’ll have a couple high profile NBA guys, and a couple more big time Euro League guys before the season starts.
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
New SF
Unless the Clippers sign a good, veteran SF their offseason will be a bust! They need to
spend the $ to sign Mike Miller or similar SF.
Gomes 3 years 12 million
Foye 2 years 8 million, we still have plenty to spend on a decent veteran
Even the Clippers, those longtime losers, thought they could be a player this summer.
that's not a lot of coin (and tme)
for these guys…
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
Like the years...
A LOT.
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
3 years for Gomes?
The 2 years for Foye seems pretty good. And maybe Foye has been waiting to find a good fit and he could impress us. I don’t know about the three years for Gomes though. Seems like giving Matt Barnes or Tremaine Fowlkes 3 years, back in the day.
Why didn’t the Clips make a deal for Bobby Simmons for 3/12, extending him before he went out and got 50 million?
yep - agreed
what’s sofo like?
"[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.
by Jax on Jul 8, 2010 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions
What do we know about Gomes?
I don’t know much of anything. Never very impressive, that’s it.
gomes
mediocre rebounder at the three, worked on his shot as his career went on and got a better three. very quiet, goes about his business, can score. however he’s pretty slow and is prone to disappearing in games. hes not a good passer so if hes not involved on offense then he is dead weight on the floor.
hes a decent bench player, but not, not a starter.
gomes kind of reminds me of rodney rogers. maybe not as athletic dunking wise, but same sort of “short power forward who turned himself into a smallforward that is a little slow” sort of game.
is he that beefy?
Rodney was a great Clipper. Nasty stuff later, sad. But he was a horse, probably the huskiest Clipper next to Craig Smith. Who is the beefiest Clipper next to John Williams. Who likes to keep the plate hot for the almighty Sophocles.
Can we talk about Sophocles? Has anybody read Oedipus Rex recently? Antigone? Where are my English majors? Didn’t he write 90 plays and we have four or five of them, which happen to be central to our understanding of Western culture?
It’s that old selective hearing.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 8, 2010 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Stanley Roberts
is the biggest Clipper ever.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Jul 8, 2010 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I think reggie williams was bigger than roberts.
They played around the same time. They had to send williams to weight
rehab camp in order so he can play.
Huh?
Reggie Williams was a SF… thinking Hot Plate Williams? I doubt it anyways, Stanley Roberts was as big as Shaq (or more)
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Jul 8, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
i remember being at like my 4th clipper game ever , maybe 14 years old, and rodney did a 360 dunk at the end of some really unexpected win over the in their prime stockton and malone jazz.
i think it was the only clipper win i saw in the first 8 games i went to see in person.
but yeah gomes is 6’7 240. i think rogers was over 250, so he was bigger and way more cut. but their games are sort of the same other than rogers had more “freak physical specimen” and gomes doesnt really.
Rodgers was a great 3 pt shooter, if I remember correctly
I used to watch him in college at Wake Forrest.
Then in the NBA he scored 9 points in 8.8 seconds while playing for Denver. That was awesome.
Do not worry. (Matthew 6:27)
of course it's a dunk against the Clippers
now I know why we signed him.
Details!
Is it an even $4M for each of them per year, or are we backloading their contracts as much as possible?
We really don’t have that much cap space left… Of the $17M, ~$8M is going to the two new guys, and ~$2M should be going to Sofo. That would bring our roster to 10 players (five core guys, two 1st rounders, two free agents and Sofo), so there’s $7M left for 3 more spots. $6M for a starting SF in this market will be an accomplishment.
I kind of suspect the FO is thinking that Gomes is the guy.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
I think you're right...
I guess six isn’t enough for Korver in this market and unless there’s a trade in the works… that’s pretty much it.
I hope not - Gomes shouldn't be the starter
"[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.
by Jax on Jul 8, 2010 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions
we get rid of thornton and butler for gomes!
Now i know we are going back to our cheap ways.
Gomes is likely better than Thornton
At least he’s a better shooter, but yes disappointing if Gomes is the starting SF.
Seems like he’s the bird in the hand while they may chase Korver, or Childress.
Good question
Gomes vs. Thornton. Gomes vs. Butler. Needs analysis.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 9, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Ugh, my math is wrong (again!)
Sorry about that. With the new higher cap, and the $ we gain from fewer cap holds (since we’ve signed more than just one player now), we currently have between $11 and $12 million after the 10 players I mentioned above. I have to say, that probably IS enough to land a Miller or Childress.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Miller would be wanting 5 years and sorry to say I think that is too long
Childress on the other hand? Maybe for the right price he’d do 3 years?
Yes...
Still have about $11M, so they’ve used less than have. About $9M to spend after Sofo signs, and I assume most will go to one guy and the 12th thru final spots will be filled with min guys, one of whom will likely be Warren.
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
So that clears enough space.
But then again, it doesn’t if they fill it back up again with Miller’s signing.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Yes
i like the years but the players i have no idea how that’s going to work out. The clips will have a super small back court
like foye's talent
but i dont know how he fits on this team. hes better at the point, but shouldnt we have bledsoe as the primary backup?
mix and match Foye at the 1 and 2 spot.
Can either come in to back up Baron or EJ. If Bledsoe impresses and playing well enough to warrant Barons backup then Foye can be the first man off the bench for EJ.
by dulciusXasperis on Jul 8, 2010 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions
We don't know Bledsoe
Foye is a good antagonist and matchup for Bledsoe. Let Bledsoe take him on and make him look silly, and drive him to the bench. But maybe Bledsoe is just Foye, who didn’t get the pub and didn’t get drafted as high. In which case Foye’s experience and bumps and bruises and learning his true, role player, work hard to earn everything status, will be a good lesson.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 8, 2010 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Shouldn't change anything
Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball
Assume it gives him a chance to develope and prove himself.
If he’s playing better than Foye, then I’m sure they’ll have no problem allowing him to be the first off the bench for BD. Foye can play both 1 and 2.
Warren has the same deal. Has a capable Foye to backup the 2 spot though if he’s playing well no reason why he can’t earn more minutes.
Having Foye is nice assurance in case Bledsoe or Warren have slow starts or a poor rookie season.
by dulciusXasperis on Jul 8, 2010 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions
We can't make decisions assuming WW will be on the team.
If he makes the team, then that’s just gravy. He can get some minutes here and there.
"Smart dudes that know the game of basketball." - Al-Farouq Aminu referring to his new teammates
No reason why he wont make the team
A young player that will come with a ridiculously cheap contract and we need to fill out this team. Already has great chemistry with Blake and he was a projected lottery pick just a year ago. Why not sign him?
by dulciusXasperis on Jul 8, 2010 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Low second round draft choice
He has to show something to make the team. A longshot. But it doesn’t mean he can’t be inspired by being reunited with BGriffin, and make shots and plays and get a spot.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 8, 2010 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
See my post above
I count $7M for three more guys, once Sofo is signed. Check my math.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
the cap went up 2mil.
WE had 16.7 plus 2 is 18.7 mil minus 8 mil that leaves about 10mil.
Wow, you're right
I’ve had $16.7 stuck in my head for so long. That DOES change things a bit. Thanks!
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
One thing to add...
with these two players we gain almost a million in cap space from their cap holds so closer to 12 million.
Right. $58M - $33.5M (core) - $3M (two rookies) - $8M (two new guys) - $2M (Sofo)
= $11.5M for three more players. Hmmm, this is looking better all the time.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Sofo's deal
We don’t have to “save” money for him. Let’s see if he can play this weekend and next week. But the money is still there for the right player, regardless of whatever Sofo does.
Do we think that the Clips spent a little extra money, perhaps on Gomes, because the cap came in and they had some more?
by citizen zhiv on Jul 8, 2010 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Extra for Gomes... I'm starting to think so.
As far as Sofo goes, whether it’s him or Smith or some other big, we’re going to need some size to complete the roster. I suspect we’ll want an extra center, too.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Sofo worry's me.
He reminds me of big fat williams who was 345. Guys this heavy don’t last many
minutes.
Thanks!
They don’t say it’s a done deal. Let’s wait and see.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
matt barnes!!
defensive sf would be a perfect pick up for the clips. Mat Barnes hustles, defends the best player on opposing teams and can also shoot the 3. What do you guys think? I really don’t understand the foye pick up when we’ ve already drafted two atheletic offensive point guards.
We don't need another bench SF really...
Instead of Barnes we got R.Gomes; and M.Barnes was definitely not going to start…Here’s then to seeing if $8 million is enough to lure M.Miller…
R.Foye is a capable player who we have a better idea of what to expect. While E.Bledsoe has a higher ceiling perhaps, it’s better safe than sorry (assumeing B.Davis gets hurt) to have a safer insurance policy like R.Foye than having E.Bledsoe given the pressure of directing a team. This will allow E.Bledsoe true time to develop. Make no mistake, he’s the future. Let’s hope he’s a Rondo-like player…
For W.Warren, while we can perhaps assume he will make the team, we cannot assume any form of production, similar to E.Bledsoe. For all his potential (similar to D.Jordan), there is a reason he similarly dropped to the second round. If we’re going to develop him, doesn’t hurt to take it slower and similar to D.Jordan.
Why can't Barnes start?
He started for the Magic, and they made the WCF. Plus, he was a starter for Baron’s GSW. Really can’t go wrong with a Matt Barnes type guy.
hes not that effective of a starter
by the end of the year, he was only starter by name, and pietrus was playing a good deal of the minutes.
really, the best guy out there is still miller, and i dont even know if the clips are trying to get him anymore.
Starter by name
I like the Barnes idea. The Clips shouldn’t sign him for 3 years or anything, however. I don’t like the 3rd year for Gomes, but I don’t know enough about him really.
But having a guy who can be a credible starter, but one of the first guys who gets subbed, is a value. If Aminu looks good, and the Clips have shooters, including Foye, then Barnes would work as a starter, backed up by Gomes and Aminu.
He hustles and is fun and he was a part of Baron’s run. A Bruin, of course.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 8, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Barnes was the starter
for each half. Played most of the first and third quarters while Peaches was there for second and fourth. They have a similar skillset, might as well keep them fresh through the season
NOW WE'RE SIGNING DEAD BEATS!
AS LONG AS WE HAVE THIS DEAD BEAT OWNER WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A DEAD
BEAT TEAM.
What happen with butler & rhino.
Hollywood Oshley why not bring our good familiar players back instead you sign two guys
that belong in the d-league. Barnes is a better pick up or MIller.
rasual butler a free agent?
he really gave the team a boost last year. Brought energy and shot lights out. If gomes is all we have at sf…….damn! i wish we’d pick up a lock down defender at the 3 position???? any good defenders still available?
What?
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
Did they get Boardwalk and Park Place as well?
Even w/ Beasley gone, how did they afford that?
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
They have a pretty crazy small ball lineup
PG – Chalmers
SG – Wade
SF – Miller
PF – LBJ
C – Bosh
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Jul 8, 2010 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Link?
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
He had until midnight to accept.
Thats not a done deal.
Yeah, I'm not getting any confirmation anywhere
I don’t see how they can afford it, either. They had to get rid of Beasley to make things work, and Miller is more expensive.
"i know huh........freakin clippers man.....its like a wild ride rooting for this team....gotta love em....(sometimes) lol" In GrIfFin We TrUsT
MIami traded Beasley to minnesota.
Minnesota send them a future 1st round pick.
I'm only saying what ESPN is reporting.
If you have inside information, that’s great. Maybe we still have a chance.
I've got nothing.
ESPN talks alot of shit
Chupa! Chupa!
by DonaldSterlingSucks on Jul 8, 2010 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
MIami made the offer!
Its between 25 to 28 mil for 5 but MIller turn down the lakers for 5.6 per
year. This is his last contract and i think he’s going for the most he can get.
No state income tax
so he really gets the same. Cost of living in Miami is much lower as well.
FA in 2010.
by ClipperChuck on Jul 8, 2010 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I think they are planning to eventually start AFA
Gomes is just a stop gap starter who will move to the bench when AFA is ready for prime time.
AFA must start from the get-go
absolutely.
Chupa! Chupa!
by DonaldSterlingSucks on Jul 8, 2010 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Part of VDN's Pitch
One of the reasons VDN got the job (apparently) was his commitment to playing young guys. Kind of the anti-MDSr approach. It’s really a matter of playing the right young guys. VDN is resting on his laurels for the way that Noah was lost and didn’t have confidence and wasn’t playing much, and VDN just put him out there and good things happened. He figured things out and some of the things he was always good at (motor, length, rebounding, blocking shots) kicked in and he turned into a player.
The Clips had great success when Gordon started playing after the Tim Thomas/Mobley/Zbo deal. It was only after Mobley was gone that Gordon started getting big minutes, and the delay might have cost him rookie of the year, or runner up to DRose at least. OJ Mayo and Westbrook and Brook Lopez had big advantages over Gordon because they were opening day starters and got tons of minutes.
I don’t know that AFA should be a starter, but he’s going to play. We know that Griffin is going to play, of course. Those three young guys will all play very hard, I think, and that’s part of VDN’s pitch. Jordan is part of the group too, and we can add Bledsoe to the mix. The young guys are going to play, and that should be fun to watch.
by citizen zhiv on Jul 9, 2010 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Excellent post - insightful
"[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.
Four rookies in the rotation?
Griffin, AFA, Bledsoe and Sofo?
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 10, 2010 12:48 AM PDT up reply actions
MLE and Rasual Butler
Do we have our midlevel exception this year? Also what is up with Rasual Butler are trying to resign him?
I hate to say the I wish Mike Dunleavy was here at least we knew DTS would spend money…I am getting the feeling things are going back to the old days…
No MLE
Lose your exceptions when you’re under the cap. But they have more money avail than the MLE, so that’s better than the MLE. Because it’s more. This one goes to 11.
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
No
Cuz it’s 11. It’s bigger than 10.
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 10, 2010 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Let's try to give it some time. This is only the first day being able to sign free-agents.
We’d still have about $10M after signing Sofo (assuming he has a starting salary between 2-2.5M). We have enough money to sign another free agent or attempt to absorb a contract through trade. At least that’s what I’m hoping for. I’d be a little disappointed as well if we didn’t make any more major acquisitions.
Well, regardless of what, I think I will admit
Our front office isn’t too bad. Great? Not proven yet and to be determined. But moves like R.Foye make me give them leeway on things like R.Gomes. I’ve seen worse, felt worse, and with the patience that comes necessary to be a Clipper fan, I would say something Clipper fans have come to say a lot, but must also recognize in weight:
It could be worse. Much worse.
I don't mind the moves
At least we’re bringing in guys in the first place. We’re bolstering our roster’s overall quality, I can’t really complain at this point. Not to mention that we did not overpay for either of these guys in my mind. We’re one of very few teams to say that they haven’t overpaid for somebody yet. You’ve got to think that there’s a better small forward coming in but who knows, we’ll see how the rest plays out.
Who do you think backups are? Superstars?
These are better backups then they’ve had in the past. Come on.
"[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.
by Jax on Jul 9, 2010 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions
good move by the gm. foye and gomes are good players.
These guys played on very bad teams last year. Career numbers are good. A change of scenery will make the clippers are better team. Each of the guys are better than Blake and Outlaw
New Players
I think Ryan Gomes is a good replacement for Craig Smith if he isn’t re-signed, especially if he costs less. I do like the signing of Randy Foye a lot. He will have a good impact on the team. Although I still would have preferred Lenny Wilkens, Vinny Del Negro seems like a good choice to be the coach. I think if he can get the team believing in itself—that will be more important than just pure talent. I mean there is only one ball, so if they can get good defense from the small forwards, they might not need much scoring from them. One big key is Blake Griffin needs to stay healthy and they need to get a reliable veteran backup at the power forward position.
Lenny Wilkins? Ok
What about Red Auerbach? Is he available?
(jk)
"[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.
by Jax on Jul 9, 2010 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Lenny Wilkens
Lenny Wilkens is not that old. And if Red Auerbach was alive and healthy like Lenny Wilkens is, I’d consider him, too. Experience should count for something. I guess you think Phil Jackson is old, too, no?
An Addendum
I’m not saying older coaches are necessarily better—but Lenny Wilkens is a great coach who NEVER had great talent but almost won anyway except with the Knicks and he had no chance to win there. Phil Jackson wouldn’t have done any better with the Knicks team he had to work with.
Correction
Sorry for the multiple posts, but I have to correct an error in my previous post. I meant to say Lenny Wilkens almost “always” won in the first sentence. of my post “An Addendum”. I also think Lenny Wilkens would be the best coach to get the most out of Chris Kaman, since he made a similar center, Jack Sikma into a consistent all-star and a center who helped his team win a championship. Yes it was a while back but you don’t forget how to coach.
No I was just joking - but he is a bit older and I wonder whether he'd relate
"[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.
by Jax on Jul 9, 2010 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, I know :-)
Sorry I tend to sound too serious and edgy when I post—I don’t mean too! I definitely respect your thoughts! :-)
And I yours
I was thinking about Wilkens after you posted your response and I suppose he could be very good for the Clips. There’s a reason he won all those games.
"[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.
what kind of marks would Olshey get in trading Baron for Chris Paul
by Takebb909 on Jul 9, 2010 6:59 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
If it was straight up Baron for CP3 then he would get A+++++
but it’s never going to happen
LeBron or Bust !!!!
I like these pickups...
Foye and Gomes are perfect bench players for the Clips. But, if I recall correctly, Neil Olshey said, “We have the money and we’re going to spend it.” Which, to me, means, he’s not done. A big shooter makes sense. Korver’s still out there… and his salary would likely fit. Spend the money Neil. Spend ALL the money.
+1 except
I agree with everything you say. Foye and Gomes are good pickups. However, I don’t think the Clips should spend money just because they have it UNLESS it’s for a player with one year left on his contract. There’s always next summer when new free agents are available. Plus, the Clips don’t have any big contracts expiring next summer except for DJ. So, whatever $s they don’t spend they can use next summer.
I'm only ok with not spending all the money
If the Clippers either donate that money to a good cause or refund it to last season’s STH’s. I’m not one of them out here in Carolina, but at least I’d know that DTS isn’t hoarding the money.
Just so I understand . . .
You want DTS to pay season ticket holders the money that will not be spent on free agents up to the maximum salary level. What’s the rationale for that?
"[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.
by Jax on Jul 9, 2010 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
I want the Clippers to sign quality players that will improve the team, especially Childress or Korver.
If that doesn’t happen, the only way for DTS to prove he isn’t just being cheap and making Olshey underbid on the middle-tier FA’s is if he were to give away any unused cap space. Who could be more deserving than the people who paid money to suffer through last season’s losing? Of course this is just rhetoric, but I’m struggling to stay optimistic that this team really is committed to building a winner.
Why?
They had a good draft, have spent $48M of $58M that they can spend, have a $50M practice facility, are looking into hiring good assistant coaches, just hired a new coach who guided his former team to the playoffs two years in a row (last year he did a pretty good job given the roster), and are apparenlty looking to spend the last $10M.
I would agree with you that if they do nothing with the $10M that this would be a problem, but I seriously doubt they won’t spend it. The two players they signed are good backup role players and they had a plan to sign them.
I think the jury is still out but I’m fairly optimistic.
"[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.
I actually like Gomes and Foye as role players, and I wanted the Clips to sign Gomes a couple seasons ago when he was a FA. The Clippers intelligently identified two below the radar bargains, and I agree with your take on the draft, too.
I’d also agree that signing LeBron, JJ, Pierce, Gay and now probably Miller has been beyond the team’s control, and I wouldn’t have wanted some of those players anyway. I can almost talk myself into giving LAC the benefit of the doubt.
But I’ve believed since before the draft that the team should be judged by whether or not it landed a quality free agent that other teams were also pursuing, particularly who the starting SF would be. As Miller appears to be gone, and the prospect of trading for Deng has evaporated, the only truly worthwhile target left is Childress. And at this point, I’d take Kover, too.
But with so many other teams likely to chase the same players, I’m losing hope that Childress and Korver will be viable options for the Clippers, too. The most likely scenario at this point is Gomes starting at SF backed up by AFA. That’s not terrible, but it’s not what any of us would have been satisfied with heading into the off-season. Maybe my expectations were too high (although they were lower than many other citizens) and hopefully the Clips will pull out a solid signing or two yet, but right now the off-season is looking like more hype than substance.
Good post - let's see what happens
I for one thought all along that they shouldn’t have participated in the LBJ sweepstakes for that very reason. But it’s not an unreasonable choice IMO.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. I don’t want Gomes starting either, but hey, let’s not forget how bad the roster has been overall over the past few years. They are moving forward.
"[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.
Yes I can agree with that
The day after the LeBron show is probably not the best time to assess the off-season, but I’m afraid the Clippers have turned me into a bit of a skeptic. I hope I can eat my words in October.
It may (and probably will) take longer than that
At this point, I’m just looking at management decisions. If they seem to be doing things “the right way,” that would bode well for the future.
I personally think that they have made some good strides since the sub .400 former coach / GM was asked to leave. Some things are beyond their control, like BG’s ability to perform.
At any rate, it will be interesting.
"[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.
I get all that, and I'm positive about the moves so far...
But, if the Clips are looking at, having 7M left over after filling out the roster (Sofo, C. Smith, other pieces), then they really should spend ALL of it because they’ll have 6M+ via the MLE next year. If they don’t spend now, they won’t get the MLE which is more or less the same amount. If the Clips signed a swing man like Korver (I knnow he’s gone) who can play the two and three… they’d really be deep and have excellent three point shooters available. Korver went for 5M which was in the budget. I’m bummed.
Agree except
it’s hard to get bummed about not signing a journeyman gunnder (yes he’s a good shooter) for $5M/3 yrs. At least to me.
"[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.
FAns have been saying that for years at some point they should of moved already
I hate when we settle it’s disgusting. We need impact moves.
Follow MLE Question
Steve, How does Miami have a MLE when they were under the cap? That is how they signed Miller insn’t? Thanks!
Steve can correct me
Miami created add’l cap space when they traded Michael Beasley to Minny for a 2nd round pick. Miller’s contract basically replaces Beasley’s. Miami will be looking at all kinds of cats and dogs to fill the rest of their roster.
I don't think they have an MLE
Miller may agree to take MLE-type money, but it won’t literally be an MLE. And yes, trading Beasley freed more money, but there’s still not enough to give all 3 guys max money and 5-6 mil for Miller. Reports I’ve seen say that the Three Amigos have agreed to take less than the max to leave some extra $ for filling out the roster, but that Miller won’t be a done deal until Miami finds out how much less first-year money the trio is willing to take and thus how much would be left for MM.
What they said
Miami did not have MLE.
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 10, 2010 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions
trade Kaman...
If this is possible we should trade kaman to philly for Andre igouldala and if it works, Spencer hawes….we get a good starter at sf and hawes is a kaman 2.0 minus kamans bonehead plays.
by Hengtime81 on Jul 9, 2010 11:10 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Shaq digs in on Dwight Howard once again, calling his eventual departure ‘a travesty’
- Behind the locker room doors before and after Lin’s game-winning shot against the Raptors
- Video: Jeremy Lin adds to his legend
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Rick Fox isn’t here for the right reasons
- A shameless businessman wants to trademark “Linsanity”
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
