SB Nation User Blog: Jax

Clippers Looking to Trade Kaman?

Jax — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:16:59 -0000

Caught this article this morning from Peter Vescey in the NY Post. If true, it seems as though MDSr is actually doing something as GM that could help the team. I had mentioned in previous posts that I thought the Clippers would be better off with a traditional PF rather than two centers. There are a number of angles here. First, interesting that they are seeking to move Kaman here. Doubt they resign Camby in two years, so it would seem that someone has decided that they can't win with Kaman.

Second, this appears to reflect a realization within the Clippers that they need more range and athleticism from the PF position, and that this would help them more than the positives that go along with the twin towers approach. I would speculate that this attitude might be coming from BD.

Third, since Kaman's contract is not horrible by current NBA standards, and since he's a 7 foot center, the Clippers might be able to get someone halfway decent for him. I suspect that they will seek someone younger with upside, but that could create salary issues. (Maybe they can wrestle Philly's newly-signed PF away . . .) Let the speculation begin.

In any event, I see the Clippers trying to leverage their assets as a positive trend, whatever the outcome.

Investigation - Donaghy Only Culprit

Jax — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:34:07 -0000

Investigation - Donaghy Only Culprit

For all you conspiracy theorists, the results of the investigation into the Donaghy are in, and it turns out (surprise)that he was the only culprit. Thus, the NBA is not fixed, there is no Trilateral Commission and we can all go back to work.

Chris Sheridan on The US' Chances in Beijing

Jax — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:37:51 -0000

Chris Sheridan on The US' Chances in Beijing

This is a great article by Chris Sheridan, who has been following US basketball for years on the international stage, predicting how the US will do in Beijing and why.

Great read.

R. Davis and Hart are Introduced

Jax — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:27:22 -0000

R. Davis and Hart are Introduced

The Ricky Davis era begins

Article - Maggette Believes Brand

Jax — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:20:15 -0000

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_9865888

I find it quite ironic given the current speculation-based "EB lied" hysteria around here that MDSr was telling everyone just before the draft that the Clippers fully expected Maggette to return. Not true.

Maggette and Brand have always been stand-up guys with the Clippers, and have had to endure much during that time. No need to go over those issues here. If Maggette, who handled his exit professionally, says he believes EB, we should think twice about blasting him before all the facts are out. After all, who knows EB better?

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Just our luck

Jax — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:35:45 -0000

It looks like Gallinari may be the real deal.

"Danilo Gallinari celebrated his Euroleague Rising Star award that honors him as this season’s best youngster with another very productive outing in the Italian League. He had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, in front of a large number of NBA scouts and executives, although his team couldn’t beat Upim Bologna. Danilo’s streak of double-digit games in the scoring department continues, and he’s yet to fail reaching the 10-point mark this season in the Italian League, which sounds like unbelievable consistency for a 19-year-old player. With the regular season now in the books, Gallinari’s team will face 4th seeded Montegrenaro in the playoffs, with his team Milano being the 5th seed.[/p]"

He could be a great prospect. Of course, he's a forward.

2008 NBA Mock

Jax — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:18:51 -0000

Interesting description of the picks in a great draft year. Clippers are projected to go 6th

The mock is here: http://realgm.com/src_feature/1130/20080131/2008_mock_draft_version_30_(early_february_edition)/

Eric Gordon - a great player - is expected to be available at the sixth spot. I say that the Clippers should grab him at that spot if he's available and Derrick Rose is gone. This draft is so strong that the second round also looks good.

Zhiv - I think that this is realistic for Klove. He has a tough choice to make. I don't think next year's draft class will be as strong, and he could improve his conditioning as a sophomore and get into the top ten (and make more money).

My Clipper Moment

Jax — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:57:27 -0000

I grew up in LA as a hardcore Laker fan. I began watching and loving NBA basketball in the late 70s with Gail Goodrich, Lucious Allen, Norm Nixon, et al. I fell in love with Magic, Kareem, et al in the 80s. I loved the style of ball, I met some of the Lakers (hanging out at the Forum Club after games, among other places), and with my brothers just enjoying the game. I was at UCLA at the time. I have two brothers. We all enjoyed the Lakers together. We had no idea at who the Clippers were. We were rabid Laker fans.

Why did we love the Lakers? Because they played the best team basketball anywhere (possible exception - Celtics).

Flash forward to the 90s. The Lakers lost the 91 finals to the Bulls. Magic got sick. Pat Riley left. Subsequent coaches (including MDSr) couldn't get it done. NBA basketball became less interesting in LA. Then Jerry West made the genius move and traded for Kobe and pulled in Shaq. The team became exciting again. Yet somehow it was different. While Shaq was a physical marvel, and Kobe was tremendous, the style of basketball had become boring to me. It's not Shaq's fault, but the fact that he was so physically dominating made it less of a challenge. I became less and less interested in the team as they got better and better.

I began to search for alternatives. I had become interested in the Clippers when Larry Brown coached them - he showed what even the Clippers - the Clippers - could do if they could learn to play as a team. I began watching them more and more during the 90s. Finally, when Sterling pulled the trigger on the EB trade, I gave tem my heart. To me, that trade showed that the team management had finally become serious about winning. I took a chance.

The "moment" if there was one for me was confronting my brothers. Again, we grew up together as rabid, loyal Laker fans. It was incomprehensible to them that I could disassociate myself from the team like I had. They just stared at me blankly. To this day, they don't understand. And to this day, it is not easy to root against the Lakers. But I do it.

I'm a Clipper fan.