SB Nation User Blog: BenoitBenjamin

Best Possible Scenario for 2008-2009

BenoitBenjamin — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:52:21 -0000

If the Clippers are going to make a run for the playoffs in 2008-2009, what is the best possbile scenario? Here is what I think would be the best Clipper team for 2008-2009:

C- Kaman (he is under contract until 2089 isn't he?)

PF- Brand (he chooses to come back)

SF- Thornton

SG- With my my mistake being pointed out below about the salary cap, Mobley becomes a starter. (I had Maggette starting, but I made a mistake with the salary cap)

PG- Baron Davis or Gilbert Arenas (You have to hope that one or both opt out of their contracts and are willing to come back to LA. I think that a Clippers lineup around them that includes Kaman, Brand, Thornton, and Maggette would be enticing. Where does the money come from? Sterling has to saddle up with the money and you can save a little if you don't give Livingston the qualifying offer.)

Thomas and Knight come off the bench along with whoever the Clippers draft. The rest of the roster can be finished off with league minimum players (or exception) to help off-set the cost of signing Davis or Arenas.

This looks like a pretty good team, but everything has to fall in place. Brand and Maggette have to decide to come back, which I think is possible. The longshot is Davis and/or Arenas opting out and then convincing one of them to come home and play for the Clippers. It also will take Sterling reaching further in his pockets.

Is this even possible? Is this the best possible team the Clippers could hope for next season? Does anyone see a better possible scenario?

Who to take

BenoitBenjamin — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:21:50 -0000

First before I post this, let me apolgize. I didn't realize there was already a BenoitBenjamin poster on here (although I know it is not spelled the same). When I chose the name, I went back to the days when my friend and I would go to the Sports Arena and watch the debacle that was Benoit. It just seemed to summarize my Clipper experience. I could have easily have chosen Randy Woods or LeRon Ellis (although they worked out about the same, Lancaster Gordon, Bo Kimble, or Reggie Williams didn't seem as bad of ideas at the time). They would have sufficed as easily as Benoit Benjamin. To me Benoit was just the most pronounced mistake the Clippers have made (with Michael Olowakandi a not to distant second).

Anyway, on with the topic. Let's assume the Clippers get the #6 pick in the draft, who do they take. I go to NBADraft.net quite a bit to check out draft projections. They have Rose, Beasley, Mayo, B. Lopez, and Bayless going in the top 5. Assuming it goes that way, who do the Clips take at 6? They project the Italian Danilo Gallinari going to the Clippers. I just want to say that I hope that isn't the case. This guy might be as good as he projected to be, but with the Clippers luck, he will be more of a Korolev than a Nowitzki. Eric Gordon is a possibility, but I'm not that sold on him. Although he is not projected to go for another 7 picks, I would love to see the Clippers bring in Kevin Love. I know all the downside that people have brought up about his game at the NBA level, but there are things he brings to the table. He is a smart player who will bring effort to the floor everynight. He also has a following in LA that will bring people to Staples for curiosity sake. Do I think he will be an all-star? Not necessarily, but I do think that he is more of a sure-thing than some of the other options out there. If Brand does come back, Love presents a pretty good C/PF rotation with Kaman and Brand. If Brand doesn't come back, Love plays PF, with Kaman at C. I know the Clippers need a PG, but I really don't think any of the available PGs that will be left are worthy of the #6 pick. Thoughts?

Long-suffering

BenoitBenjamin — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:01:38 -0000

Like most you out there, I am a long-suffering fan. It all started for me seriously back in '87. I'm still wondering what ever happened with Reggie Williams. My senior paper in college was even on the problems of the Clippers. I just happened to find Clips Nation and am excited to read what other sufferers (sp?) have to say.

Looking at the options for the future, I don't see any quick-fix solutions. With the strength of the Western Conference, do the Clippers actually have a chance to make the playoffs in '09? Even if they did, how far could they really get?

I would love to see Brand and Maggette come back, but is tying up that kind of money really going to make a difference in the near future. Would it be better to blow the whole thing up and start over again? Maybe a sign and trade with either Brand and/or Maggette? Could the right deals help the future long term for the Clippers? I'm throwing out ideas and would love to get some responses.

Personally, going real young would make me as happy as anything. They might be real bad if they did, but are they going to be a playoff team if they go with a veteran group? Could it be worse than this year. Lets let Thornton and whoever they draft play 36-40 minutes a game and develop. Save money under the cap to add some pivotal pieces a few years from now when they might actually be competitive.

I'm not sure my logic makes a bunch of sense. All I know is that I would rather watch a bunch of young, enthusiastic players stink, instead of watching a bunch of veterans stink.

As Hacksaw would say...REACTION!!??!!