I am on record as being anti-Gomes from day one.  Now it's official - he sucks.  In the words of Eric Wong at RotoEvil

"Gomes has sucked even more than expected. The former decent fantasy option is now a mere afterthought, and his line of 5.2 points on 38% FG shooting and 3.2 boards in 23 mpg supports this claim."

Add to that his line tonight against Utah -  28 min, 1-3, 5 pts.,  0 boards.  I don't care that it's only pre-season - Gomes is never going to live up to the potential he once had.  Give him away in any trade - he is not going to help this team.  I can't believe we wasted money and a roster spot on him.

I have read most of the recent posts over the past month, and it is clear that there are a wide variety of Clipper fans and I don't have the time or energy to read everyone's profile.  For the most part, the banter back and forth is friendly with a few jabs here and there (obviously there are two prominent exceptions), but everyone has their own perspective on the team and this is the place to voice it. So, having started this post, I will go first.

I  was born and raised in LA as a Laker fan.  My family had season tickets to the Lakers at the Sports Arena (yeah, you read it right) in the days of West, Baylor, Goodrich, Hazard and Imhoff.  I was pretty young, but remember going to the games with my dad. We had seats at center court in the Loge about 3 rows back.  When the Lakers went to the Forum, we had seats in Row J behind the visitors bench, right at the free-throw line.  Awesome seats.  Ticket prices jumped and Dad dumped the tix.

Went away to college in Berkeley so became a semi GSW fan while I was there. Went to a few GSW v. Laker games but lost interest in the Lakers after everyone jumped on the Laker Bandwagon while they were winning.  I still like GSW but they are not the team I primarily root for, but I would like to see them do well.

Moved back to LA in the late 70's and wanted hoops tix, but Laker tix were way out of my budget and I would not sit in the nose bleed seats.  Games weren't on TV as often either and then they were tape delayed.  When the Clippers moved to town in '84, I bought season tix, not so much because I was a Clipper fan (I wasn't), but because I was a basketball fan and I wanted to see all the teams play and Clipper tix were the way to do that without breaking the bank.  After about 2 seasons, I became a dedicated Clipper Fan even though we were not very good.  But we played scrappy ball with Dailey, Drew, Williams, Gage and Baby Hughey (Benoit Benjamin).  I have stuck with the team ever since even though we have had very little success  - only 4 play off appearances in the past 26 years.

Most of you have not been a Clipper fan as long has I have or have had to put up with 21 sub .500 seasons as long as I have, though I am sure there maybe some who go all the way back to the days of the Braves. I would love to hear from any fans who started off rooting for the Buffalo Braves.

Even though I am a Clipper fan, I am sick of losing, sick of DTS being the McScrooge of the NBA and sick of stupid draft picks ala Olowokandi and players that refused to play if they were drafted by the Clippers.  If I seem bitter or a "doomer" in my posts, it is because I am frustrated with the franchise and it's piss poor management.  We need a Cuban-like owner who wants to win and will pay to acquire the players to win.  We need a savvy GM who other GM's respect.  I will give VDN a chance before commenting on him.  I've been patient for 26 years and if Cubs fans can wait as long as they have, I can wait too.  

They go and sign Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes and Brian Cook.  WTF??  Okay, I can see Foye as a back up to BD in case of injury.  Nothing special but an adequate back up who was so highly touted as a lottery pick that he was traded for Brandon Roy  - the ROY his rookie year.  Gomes is a servicable back up SF to an established starting SF which we do not have. Brian Cook is a journeyman player who could not cut it with Orlando and was cut by Houston after only 15 games.  Granted, we signed him for 1.25 million per year, but that money could easily have been put to better use.  

Chicago just signed Kyle Korver for $5 million per year and I venture to say that he is five time the player that Brian Cook is.  Hell, Matt Barnes salary is only 1.6 million and he is much better player than Cook.  

I really thought that the new management was making inroads and doing smarter things, but now I wonder.  Is there some big signing that they are paving the way for or are we going to be the doormats of old and sign a bunch of journeymen players just to fill our the roster.  Why, or why, are we Clipper fans?

What would be a better starting line up for the furture BD, EJ, Gomes, BG and Kaman or BD, EJ, Granger, BG and DJ?  I really think that Kaman is expendable and that he would be a good trading piece now while the illusion of him having all-star status still exists and before he reverts back to his old self.  I would rather have a young team grow together with DJ as the starter, pick up Serge Ibaka and go from there.

Rudy gay accepts a max contract from the Memphis Griz.  http://www.journaltimes.com/sports/article_8a452abe-853b-11df-85cc-001cc4c03286.html

Well, that's one FA down and one less player to speculate about.  Those who did not want the Clips to go after Gay and offer him ridiculous $$$$$ got their wish.  For those who wanted Gay to be a Clipper, ain't gunna happen.  Looks like Salmons is no longer a consideration either.  Stay away from Ryan Gomes.

If the rumors going around are correct, Carmelo Anthony will not accept the Nuggets 3 year $65,000,000.00 offer because he does not see Denver as a contender.  If Melo rejects the offer, it is likely that the Nugs will try to trade him rather than let him walk at the end of next year.  With a salary of $17,000,000.00 this year, do the Clippers a) have the money to sign Melo and b) do we have trade bait that Denver might want?.

Billups is 34 and his contract is expiring soon, and they have Ty Lawson as the future point guard.  But if Billups does not re-sign, then they will need a back up PG.  We could offer Warren or Bledsoe but would that be enticing to the Nugs?  I doubt that would be enough and we lost our 1st round pick next year in the Bledsoe deal.  Rumor is the Nugs may dump Nene so maybe the Nugs would be interested Kaman even though he does not really fit into their present system.  I would trade Kaman for Melo every day of the week.

I say we should try to get Melo, but will we and can we work out something that Denver would want?  I certainly hope so.

NBA TV reports that the Clippers top two choices for their next Coach are Dwane Casey and Vinnie Del Negro.  I like Casey but think Del Negro would be a big mistake.  I would actually like to see Mike Woodson on the Clipper sidelines but it seems that he is not being considered too seriously.

Actually, I think Byron Scott would be a great fit for this team, but given that Phil Jackson is most likely going to retire and many "experts" have Scott as his replacement, I don't think that's in the cards, especially since Scott has told Yahoo! Sport that he wants the Cavs job.

The Bucks and Warrior entered into a trade that sends Corey Maggette to the Bucks for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzurich.  The Warriors should never have paid so much money for Corey in the first place and the Bucks had to do something to replace the departing John Salmons.  I know Salmons had a mediocre year last year, but he has told the Bucks he is going to opt out of his contact.  I think the Clippers could do a lot worse and should take a look at Salmons whose contract would have paid him $5.8 next year.  Can we use the MLE to get Salmons and is he worth a look?

I've been thinking about what the Clippers can do to improve at SF and what can be done in the draft.  If Cousins is available to us, I would love to see the Clips draft him and trade Kaman to Toronto (losing Bosh and they can put Bargnani at PF).  Hedo can dish the ball, handle the ball well and gets decent boards.  I think we should then re-sign Gooden and hire a coach who will play up tempo.  Let's face it, we are not going to sign any of the top free agents - the Clipper stigma won't allow that to happen.

Clearly, Kaman has no place in any up tempo offense and he is no low post threat now that he is in love with his 20' jump shot.  Further, I don't see Kaman having a repeat of this year and I fear another injury riddled season out of him.  I think trading him for Hedo would be a smart move regardless of whether or not we are able to draft Cousins.  My .02.

New Orleans Hornets guard Jannero Pargo signed a one-year deal with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian League, agent Mark Bartelstein told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday. The one-year deal is worth nearly $4 million and is about twice what Pargo made for the Hornets last season, Bartelstein said. Pargo joins a growing defection of NBA players lured overseas by higher salaries.

Everyone said NO was going to re-sign him and we had no chance to get him.  Salary cap or not, unless I'm wrong, we would not have been into the luxury tax by signing Pargo and he is MUCH better than JWill with a great upside.   I continue to believe that this was a big oversight by the front office.

The Clippers withdrew their offer to Fazekas today which makes him an unrestricted free agent.  This reduces our roster to 12 players.  Based on this move it appears that the Front Office is not yet done making moves.  I continue to believe that we need an actual backup PG and that J. Hart is a 3rd stringer.  Could it be that the Clips have an eye on Jannero Pargo?  Do we have enough money to offer Pargo?

The Rockets acquired Ron Artest from the Kings today for B.obbyJackson, Donte Greene, 1 million cash and a 1st round pick in 09.  Weird deal if you ask me but it will make Houston a formidable defensive team.   I think they could be a 3rd seed this year in the playoffs, maybe better if Yao and McGrady stay healthy.

The Bulls signed L. Deng to a six year deal worth between 71 and 81 million, depending on whether or not certain insentives are met.  Bulls look good for 08-09.

Let's face it, right now we only have BD and JH at point guard.  I doubt we are going to re-sign Livingston and quite frankly, I hope we don't.  Jason Hart is nice to have on the bench as a backup's backup, so who is our number 2 PG? 

Jannero Pargo opted out of  his contract with N.O. and has not been resigned and I have not heard any rumors that he is close to signing with the Hornets.  He is an unrestricted free agent and I think would make an excellent backup to BD for the Clippers.

Given BD's prior history of injury, it would behoove the Clips to sign a solid backup PG which Pargo is, in my opinion.

Tim Thomas is, in my opinion, more of a liability than an asset at this point in his career.  He does not defend very well, he is not a great rebounder and his three point shooting accuracy is declining, rapidly.  He will make $6,049,400 this season and is scheduled to earn $6,466.600 .00 next season.  Can anyone explain to me why we continue to keep him on the roster other than the fact that he is under a contract that may be difficult to move?  Has anyone heard anything that would indicate that the FO is trying to move TT??

At the Camby press conference today, MDsr said:

"Our projected line-up will be Baron Davis and Cuttino Mobley in the backcourt, then Al Thornton, Marcus (Camby) and Chris Kaman on the front line. That gives us scoring, size, post-up, defense, rebounding, shot blocking, basically everything that you could hope for. Our bench will be Brevin Knight, Eric Gordon, depending on whether we get Azubuike or not, Tim Thomas, and we’ve got a bunch of other guys that have yet to be determined as far as how they’ll all fit in. We have a definite core and probably a nine-man rotation right now that is a very good one."

Looks like the old Cat will get the nod at the 2.  I am hoping that by mid season Cat will be coming off the bench.

Camby handled the press conference with class though he expressed some bitterness toward the Nugs mgt.  Understandable, eh?

Look, I know he is coming off an injury, but he puts up 10 per game with 6 boards, almost one block and good % in only 21 minutes of play.  Extend that out to 33 mintues per game and you could have a 15/10/2 with good % PF.  I know it's a risk, but if he comes back at 100%, the dude has talent.

Not a single bit of information or news on Brand, Mags, free agents, goals, ideas - nada.  The Clipper web site's main feature is that the try outs for the Clipper Spirit (the ugliest girls in the NBA, IMHO)  are starting.  Are you kidding me?  Who cares?  How about some info, reaction to FElton's Coltesque departure from LA, MDsr statement, anything.

What's the point of even having a web site if you're not going to keep your loyal fans apprised of what is going on? 

It appears that the Knicks are shopping ZR and I doubt that the Hawks or Bobcats are going to let Smith or Okafor get away.  So where does that leave the Clips in their search for a PF?  How about ZR?  Yeah, he may be a bit of a distraction, but he can score and board.  Not a shot blocker but Kaman's blocks increased a lot when Brand was injured.  I'm not sure who the Clips would have to give up to get ZR, but it could be the move to partially fill the void left by EB when he so unceremoniously left us in the lurch.