While I visit every day to read what fellow Clipper fans have to say, it’s been a long time since I posted. But since the Clips are playing Minnesota tonight, I figured I’d throw something out there.

 

We are all looking forward to the 2012 draft when the Clippers will have Minny’s unprotected pick, which will surely be a high lottery pick. However, it may turn out that the pick will not turn out to be as great as we all hope. With the collective bargaining agreement expiring this year, a lockout is all but assured. If the owners decide to play hardball, there’s a chance that the entire NBA season will be lost. If so, this may affect how the 2012 draft plays out. The Timberwolves would likely be near the bottom of the pack next year. But without a season, there will be no records to determine which teams will fall into the lottery. It would not be fair to base the lottery on this season’s record since it would be the same teams in the 2011 draft. Therefore, it may come down to something like the NHL did after their lockout in which every team is put into a weighted lottery based on records or playoff appearances over the last few seasons. If so, the Clips odds of a high draft pick would not be as good.

 

This may be something to consider when we debate on such things as whether to keep this pick or possibly include it in a trade. If we end up keeping it, let’s hope that there is at least a partial season next year so the Wolves can be one of the worst teams in the league and help the Clips get a great pick!

I haven't posted for a long time but thought I'd say a little bit after hearing some of the negativity after tonight's Laker game. Like most of you on here, I can't stand the Lakers and would love for the Clippers to blow them out every time they play one another. And I was frustrated that the Clippers didn't play better. However, we have to remember that this was the first game of the season. We played a team that won the championship last year and one that some are debating whether they'll break the Bull's all time win record.

We didn't look good for many parts of the game but there were some positives. Kaman's 18 points and 16 rebounds were nice and I'd be happy with those numbers all season. Eric Gordan looked very strong. Telfair and Smith had some strong moments. We didn't give up after a poor first half and get blown out; instead battling back to within a point entering the fourth quarter.

Yes, Baron, Thornton, and Butler had bad shooting nights. If one of those guys could have played halfway decent we may be talking about a Clipper win right now...despite the bad showing. The Lakers shot 20 more free throws than the Clippers, which really was the difference in the game.

If the team can put this game behind them and beat the Suns tomorrow night, then I'm sure the positive thinking will come back. Just remember, what we see depends on what we look for. The Clippers weren't going to go 82-0 this season. This is only one game. Give the team, and the individual players, a chance before writing them off. Go Clips!

I'm getting the sense that we may see another Dunleavy-Sterling feud in the media soon. This is what the Associated Press article said on ESPN said about tonight's game: (link: Clipper-Philly Recap)

Some fans chanted "Fire Dunleavy" in the closing minute, referring to Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy.

 

"Not one of my better nights," Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling said afterward. "I don't take losing well."

Doesn't sound good. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some type of blowup soon. Everyone is frustrated.

As we continue this disappointing season, we all have our opinions as to what is wrong with our Clippers. Some say that it's Coach Dunleavy's fault and that his inability to implement an effective offense has doomed the team. Others argue that Baron Davis is to blame. He's supposed to be the leader of this team and yet seems to not be playing with the effort or determination needed. Still others will blame the team's troubles on the injuries or the number of new players that are getting to know one another. However, I think we are overlooking the obvious. The Clippers are not playing inspired basketball because the person that inspired the team and fans the most is no longer with us.

No, I'm not talking about Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Shaun Livingston, or the other former Clippers. I'm talking about the person you could always count on to give full effort...to work as hard as possible...to have a positive attitude no matter what...to continually flash that wonderful smile when things got tough. Yes, I'm talking about former Clipper girl Taylor. The players no longer have a beautiful lady to impress with their play. Coach Dunleavy, while continuing to dress up in the hope that she might someday return, no longer is able to motivate the team to give it their all. This dreadful season could have all been avoided if only the organization had the common sense to keep their most popular Clipper girl around. Unfortunately, they lacked that common sense and are now suffering the curse...the curse of Taylor.

I think the only way to salvage this season is to break this curse by bringing Taylor back...at the very least, it would make going to the games much more entertaining.

Have a great New Year's everyone!

Our beloved Taylor has been driven to the dark side. Once a revered member of the Clipper Spirit, she is now a finalist for the Laker girls. Yuck! I just threw up in my mouth! What did the new management for the Spirit do to her that she had to sink to this level. I say she needs someone to save her from this brainwashing she obviously has been exposed to. Anyone with me???

SAVE TAYLOR!!!!

See a picture of her as one of the finalists at (yuck):

http://www.nba.com/lakers/lakergirls/index.html

As Elton Brand was returning for the final 8 games last season, he made an interesting statement about his future with the Clippers.

 

I'm not a quitter. I want to be here. I came to this organization to turn it around and we were doing it for a while. We were on the right path. I kind of want to get back to that level of the playoffs and competing for championships.

In Brand we thought we had a honest, hardworking, and loyal athelete. We thought we had someone who we could believe in. However, these beliefs have been dashed. Maybe we misjudged him all along. After all, he tried to get away from the Clippers a few years ago when he practically begged DTS not to match the offer sheet Miami gave him. The Clippers then tried to shed the "cheap" label in recent years by paying guys like Brand, Maggette, Kaman, and Dunleavy to be a part of the team. They've tried to be players in the free agent market by offering big money to Kobe Bryant, Michael Redd, and Ray Allen. Only those that have not really paid attention to the team can say that they are "the same old Clippers".

And now, after the greatest free agent signing in team history and an tremendous infusion of hope for the coming season, Brand shows his true colors. He had a chance to cement that honest, hardworking, and loyal reputation by signing with the Clippers. Instead, he chose to shun them. Did he want the Clippers to weaken the team by renouncing more players so that he could get more money? In fact, Philly had to let two players go (Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth, along with a first round pick) in order to get more money that Brand "needed". It can't be said that Brand was willing to sacrifice anything to make the team stronger.

If Brand truely wanted out, why not let the Clippers know in advance so that they could have gotten something in return? Maybe a trade with Miami could have gotten the Clippers a player like Beasley. Yes I'm disappointed and angry at the way Elton handled this. The photograph of Elton posing next to me before a game at Staples Center will likely be taken down as a sign of protest.

Brand, despite his past words, did turn out to be a quitter.

Here's an article from the Boston Globe about the Clips...things ain't going well in Clipper land!

Clippers' ship lost in a fog
Helmsman Sterling steers team in circles
By Peter May
Globe Staff / March 2, 2008

Tick. Tick. Tick.

That is the sound of the Los Angeles Clippers who, once again, appear to be on the verge of implosion. The coach and the owner aren't talking. The owner says the coach picks the players, then rejects a trade. One player (Sam Cassell) is leaving. Two others (Corey Maggette and Elton Brand) have a choice to leave.

Here's the link to the full article.

Did anyone else see the Sports Illustrated poll that asked 242 NBA players the question: "Which player gets the least out of the most talent?"

Los Angeles has the top two vote getter playing in town. Fortunately, it's the Lakers' Kwame Brown who got the most votes with 17%. The Clippers own Tim Thomas came in second with 10%. It's sad that guys don't work hard enough in practice or in games to live up to the talent level that they've been blessed with. Thomas shows his skill level at times but has never committed enough to become an All-Star player. I guess some guys are just satisfied being an NBA player and making millions of dollars instead of being the best they can be. You would think the fact that this was voted on by his peers would light a fire in Thomas to go out and change their opinions. Go in there and get a rebound Tim! Play some defense! You can do it!

Hey, look at the bright side. At least we're ahead of the Lakers at something this season!

Hey, Clipper fans...just wanted to bring something up for discussion. I haven't had much time to participate in the discussions going on this season, but I'm still watching or going to every game. This is a sad, sad season so far. These injuries have just killed us. I had some hope during that 4-0 run that the team would be able to stay above water until Elton Brand came back, but it hasn't turned out that way. If we sink much further, we're going to have to start to think of what's best for the team in the future.

If the Clippers continue on their current pace, then trade talk will start to come up. What should the team do to get ready for next year? I don't think that Sam Cassell will make it to the end of the season with the Clippers. I think he'll be traded to a contender in order for the Clippers to get something in return and to give him one last chance to do something in the playoffs. The question is, do you package him with another player who some may want to get rid of...like Tim Thomas or Cuttino Mobley. Thomas has a decent contract, but Mobley is making some cash that doesn't match with his production. And he's still signed for 2 more years after this one.

If I were the Clippers, I'd give Miami a call and see if they trade Jason Williams and Ricky Davis for Cassell and Mobley. Although I don't think Miami would do it, it may be worth a try considering how much they are stuggling and could use a change. Maybe they would think that two veterans could help the team. The reason I'd do this trade is because Williams and Davis both have expiring contracts. Williams is signed for almost 9 million, while Davis makes about 6. That would give the Clippers 15 million coming off the books going into next season. And I don't look for Maggette to resign, so that's another 7 million. That would be a lot of money to throw at a possible free agent like Gilbert Arenas. I'd gladly take Arenas over Mobley any day.

A lineup of Brand, Kaman, Thornton, Arenas, and Livingston would sound pretty good...if the injuries cooperate. Of course, one must be careful to not make it seem as if the team will be rebuilding. If it seems that way, Brand is more likely to opt out after this year and sign with another team.

Of course, this is all just talk at this point. But again, if the team keeps losing games, I'd be willing to bet that some players will be moved before the February trade deadline.

Three games into the season and I'm very impressed...especially after the road win in Chicago. This team seems to be looking to shut up their critics, which many of its players have been looking to do for some time. Many of its key components have been traded or given their walking papers by other teams. The Clippers are Cassell's 7th team, Thomas' 6th team, Patterson's 6th team, Mobley's 4th team, Knight's 8th team, and Dickau's 7th team. Maggette has been the subject of multiple trade rumors, while Kaman was labled a waste of money after last season. The Clippers as a team were written off after the injury to Elton Brand.

And yet, here they sit 3-0. Yes, it is early but I think this team will be motivated by it's "outcast" status. They will play hard every game and, with their ability to get production from multiple sources, will be successful in many games. They did a great job of spending limited money over the summer to pick up guys like Knight, Patterson, and Dickau. Plus, they may have some additions later this season in Brand and Livingston. This Clippers may surprise many people this year, even some of us fans! Go Clips!

It's tough enough being a middle grade teacher in the Los Angeles area. Late nights of grading papers...putting up with adolescent attitudes...being constantly interrupted by the tapping of pencils on desks...scraping gum from classroom furniture. However, it's even tougher being a middle grade teacher in the Los Angeles area when you are a huge Clipper fan.

In this land where the Lakers seem to be god, it's as if I am treated as the anti-Christ when I remind everyone of my pledge of loyalty to the Clipper Nation. I am reminded of the recent school carnival in which I nobly signed up to be in the dunk tank. As I walked to the tank proudly wearing my Clipper jersey, I heard the usual calls of "Clippers suck" and "Go Lakers". But I kept my head high, climbed into the tank, and unrolled the Laker shirt that I had brought with me. Of course, it was altered a bit. The "L" in Lakers had been changed to an "F" and an addition of "can't throw" was included. Waving the shirt as student after student and parent after parent, tried to put on their best impersonation of Nolan Ryan in order to knock me into the cold water. I was dunked many times that day and I think that some of the throwers wished that there was not a cage between me and their tosses. But I got up each time, waving my anti-Laker shirt more, while displaying the bright red of my Clipper jersey. As I climbed out of the tank that day, I told everyone who would listen that I would be back in the tank the next year to show off the love I have for my team.    

Yes, it is hard being a middle grade teacher. And it's just as hard being a Clipper fan. I think enduring all the hard times following the Clips have given me the perseverance to deal with anything junior high students throw my way. And, during the school day, as I look upon my class, I get the same feeling that I get when a new N.B.A. season begins. I get the feeling of hope; the hope that each year will turn into a successful one, whether it be for a group of teenagers or a team of basketball players. Go Clips!