The proof has been right in front of you for months now. An owner hits the lottery jackpot and drafts one of the most talented, fan-friendly budding superstars in the history of the NBA.

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When all the arguments are distilled it comes down to Sterling being the only reason LBJ would not come to the Clippers. Roesser, Olshey and even probably Sterling must be keenly aware of this by now. DTS is a capable businessman - he knows how to close a deal. There's only one solution and it is obvious.

He needs to remove himself from the equation.

And that can be done in a way that is satisfying for both LBJ and DTS.

He needs to be prepared to bring in a GM/Coach package that is suitable to LBJ and with the cred in the league. And to do that, what does one need...Money. And what is the one thing DTS has....

Money.

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It appears that a publicity hungry DA has gone after Mike Smith. Reading the quotes from this prosecutor you can infer his intent. He starts by talking about Smith and "celebrity justice." This DA is trying to equate Mike with OJ. Then in every other paragraph the DA talks about the "inoperable brain tumor" of the man Smith borrowed money from. Another not-so-subtle attempt to poison the potential jury pool. IMHO this is a typical business deal gone bad as the real estate market tanked. Literally thousands of these kinds of situations are ongoing in California right now - but none are charged criminally. The "victim" should sue Smith in civil court just like all the other real estate development deals gone bad.

For a DA to try Smith criminally is just wrong. Another case of a publicity hungry DA trying to make a name for himself for a future political run.

I don't know Smith personally, but I can tell you the he and Ralph have given us many great years of entertainment. Clip Nation needs to stand behind Mike Smith and show support during this bad situation.

The season hasn't started and the value of STH's investment has already dropped. Big discounts on regular season too.

Get your free tickets while they last!

Special Goldstar Offer: Free Los Angeles Clippers Preseason Tickets
		STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA) Friday, Oct. 9 @ 7:30pm (vs. Portland Trailblazers) Monday, Oct. 12 @ 7:30pm (vs. Golden State Warriors) Saturday, Oct. 17 @ 4:30pm (vs. Utah Jazz) Full Price: $35.00      Our Price: FREE To thank Goldstar and its members for their support over the past seasons, the Clippers have made a special offer of free preseason tickets for three games this season. No. 1 NBA Draft pick Blake Griffin joins Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, and the rest of the Clippers as they take on the Jazz, Warriors, and Trailblazers.   Learn More

	Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers - Opening Night  STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA) Wednesday, Oct. 28 @ 7:30pm Full Price: $40.00 - $75.00    Our Price: $20.00 - $50.00 The Los Angeles Clippers open an exciting new season of NBA basketball at home with a match-up against the Phoenix Suns. The Clippers and Suns expect to battle each other this year for success in the Western Conference's Pacific Division and each will be hoping to start the rivalry off right with a victory. Learn More
	Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Halloween Night  STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA) Saturday, Oct. 31 @ 7:30pm Full Price: $40.00 - $75.00    Our Price: $15.00 - $45.00 Celebrate Halloween at STAPLES Center with a night of scary-good basketball when the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have been perennial powers in the Western Conference, but the Clippers should be up to this frightful challenge. Learn More
	Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers  STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA) Monday, Nov. 2 @ 7:30pm Full Price: $40.00 - $75.00    Our Price: $15.00 - $45.00 The Los Angeles Clippers host the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA action at STAPLES Center. The Timberwolves are led by their new head coach, former Los Angeles Lakers player and coach Kurt Rambis. The Clippers are coached by Mike Dunleavy, who also once led the Lakers. Learn More

It was game one of this past season, before the game started, BD was given the microphone and he made a welcoming statement to the assembled fans. (This felt really weird to me at the time - especially because it seemed so passionless) He said he was happy to be here and that it would be a new day in Clipperland, a time for winning. (or something like that - I was so surprised by a new player issuing a challenge and a promise like that, that I can' remember it exactly)

Remembering it now, it just makes his recent letter to the fans ring so hollow. Been there, done that. All talk, no walk. Big hat, no cattle.

BD is just throwing DTS a bone so he can sucker back in some of the poor saps, also known as season ticket holders.

Three members of our team have gotten their big contracts and are now useless to us.

I don't blame Dunleavy so much. He, at least, tries every game - but he's lost the confidence of his players, he's made some bad decisions and he's basically that old dog who can't learn any new tricks. He's got his style, that's it. And as we can see from these past 3 years, his style ain't working.

Baron, on the other hand, is the typical player who has his big contract and is just phoning it in. Out of shape, lazy, frequently "injured." He's the proverbial dude who's just laughing all the way to the bank. 

Kaman's just a wreck. One of Dunleavy's great errors was to reward him with a big contract. Kaman never had the mental ability to play at the top of the NBA - the coaches, who work with him every day must have known that. Look at the mistakes he's still making at age 27. Mistakes you could forgive a kid like DeAndre, not a freakin' $50mil+, 5 year vet!!

I know DTS will not remove Dunleavy because of $$$. But I think there might be a play for us.

Package Baron, Kaman and our first round pick and swap for a competitive player, one that has a burning desire to win, every game...unlike the above.

It's all about supply and demand. And this is the year the season ticket holders realize they have been played for chumps.

Have any season ticket holders heard rumblings yet of the steep discount in season tickets for next year?

It just doesn't seem possible that they could hold the $175 center loge ticket price (which this year was discounted to $145).

At those prices aren't most season ticket chumps (self included) thinking about maybe going for an $80 seat behind the basket for Lakers? Hard to swallow for a Kobe hater, but at least that team is competitive year in and year out.

Account rep said there'd be big season ticket discounts - anybody seen confirmation yet? 

The standard response from management has been that "this is the NBA, and you have to accept NBA prices."

The Clips may be in the NBA physically...I guess...but sure as hell not competitively.

These two guys make the games bearable. Ralph could be an icon, on the level of a Chick or a Vin, but he had the bad fortune to work for the Clippers. Buss should have grabbed him back when Hearn passed.

Our guys have great chemistry, know the game and the players and are able to keep us laughing, when we should be crying.

Yikes, I'm just waiting for that inevitable day to come, when, in true Clipper fashion, DTS unceremoniously dumps them both to save some money. Unfortunately around here in Clipper territory, it's the law.

organizational overhaul

I think what the team really needs is a complete organizational overhaul. If DTS isn’t willing to sell the team, he should hire a competent president and get out of the way. There is such a losing culture that has gone back so many years that it seems ingrained. The losing just feeds on itself. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. I would replace all the top management and try to lure people from successful organizations to infuse a new winning culture.

by whydoiliketheclips on Jan 15, 2009 9:04 PM PST 

WhydoIliketheclips got it 100% right. WE ARE IN A SINKING LIFEBOAT and some folks have got to go...

Dunleavy - over the side.

Andy Roeser - over the side.

Asst coaches - over the side.

Kaman - over the side.

BD - over the side.

We are testing historic lows for Clipper standings. Mr. Sterling, dramatic steps need to be taken now - to salvage next year!

Players get paid for each game when injured. Do ticket holders get a discount when only the bench plays and game after game the team is destroyed?

Mike Taylor - Broken hand - Malingerer? NO

Zach Randolph - Bruised knee - Malingerer? PROBABLY NOT

Jason Hart? - Elbow tendinitis - Malingerer?

Baron Davis - Bruised ass - Malingerer??? 

Chris Kaman -  Strained Arch - Malingerer?????

"When guys get injured, typically you have agents that are going to tell them, 'There's no reason to hurry back. Make sure you're 110% healthy before you come back,' " said Dunleavy. LA Times