Clippers: More Disappointment, or a Breakthrough?

by Tom Ziller on Sep 20, 2010 7:00 AM PDT in Links

It is Pacific Division Week in the 2010-11 SBNation NBA Blog Previews series, and Steve Perrin of Clips Nation has his team's preview up.

Steve talks about the Clippers' summer of deflated expectations.

[F]or a fanbase that watched their team and their front office give up on the season and execute trades for the sole purpose of signing free agents, [Ryan] Gomes and [Randy] Foye and [Brian] Cook are more than a little disappointing.

Disappointing, but not necessarily dumb. The Clippers have six players on their roster 22 or younger, including the top pick in the 2009 draft, Blake Griffin, who will be a rookie this season after missing all of last season with a fractured patella, and Eric Gordon, a key member of the Gold Medal winning US team from this summer's FIBA World Championships. Anything short of a home run in free agency this summer would likely have been counter productive - better to maintain some financial flexibility moving forward as let the young players develop and mature than to tie up loads of long term money on overrated or aging name players.

"Maintain some financial flexibility" and "let the young players develop" -- sound familiar? It should be an interesting season for the Clippers, who have as many questions heading into October as any NBA team.

Poll

Who will lead the Clippers in scoring this season?

Blake Griffin

83 votes

Chris Kaman

80 votes

Baron Davis

51 votes

Eric Gordon

288 votes

502 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

am i the only one

Though i live in So.Cal, that doesn’t care about the Clips? As much as i like B. Davis, i still don’t care…

by shadowchicken on Sep 20, 2010 8:00 AM PDT reply actions

E-Gor

would love to have him next to Tyreke in the backcourt, but not going to happen any time soon.

by LPKingsFan on Sep 20, 2010 8:46 AM PDT reply actions

Wow, he's pretty optimistic

I don’t see them at .500. Not a lot of defense on that roster, I like E Gorden but he IS undersized, etc. . .

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Sep 20, 2010 8:59 AM PDT reply actions

As long as they have Donald Sterling as an owner,

all hope is gone.

At least they got rid of Dunleavy. It’s a step less backwards.

by ZenBaller on Sep 20, 2010 9:21 AM PDT reply actions

Even if they managed to put it all together this season

and be successful, they’ll find a way (and/or a reason) to blow everything up next year.

This.

by elfboy_ on Sep 20, 2010 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

It's a tough call with Del Negro at the helm

living in Chicago I was able to watch a lot of Bull’s games and they never really seemed to have a plan during the game. He has a great ability to get players to work hard which helped but wont be enough out west.

I would still expect some improvement though because there is so much talent on the team that if they stay healthy.

by Hilton on Sep 20, 2010 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

This from David Aldridge

on NBA.com today

But after rehabbing all spring and summer, Griffin is 100 percent. He has been playing pickup games with his teammates for a month; every Clipper except Eric Gordon — who was in Turkey with the U.S. World

So, it looks like the Clips are excited to start the season.

Also, this

the Clippers will, at least for now, enter camp for the first time in four years without having a starter unavailable or rehabbing a major injury. And it’s been four seasons since the Clippers last made the playoffs.

So, the Clips look to definitely improve this season. How much will depend on Griffin and Del Negro.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Sep 20, 2010 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

They'll miss Camby more than they know.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Sep 20, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally.

"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!

by caseycheesecake on Sep 20, 2010 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe, but a lot will depend on Griffin.

Kaman is 26th among centers in Def rating (blks, steals & charges) which is one better than Hawes. He’s only one place better than JT in total rebounding. So, they’re going to need Griffin to be an excellent weakside defender, which is quite possible based on his ability to rebound and leaping ability to block shots. He’s no Whiteside, but he is a freak athleticly so I expect Kaman & Griffin to complement each other on the defensive end.

Last season, the Clips & Kings had almost identical defensive efficiency ratings. Both teams had the same division record, but the Kings had one more win in the conference. So, which ever team has the most improvement at the defensive end of the court will have the best record baring injuries of course.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Sep 20, 2010 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions