SB Nation User Blog: danobaseball

My Day at the Clippers Training Facility...

danobaseball — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:19:37 -0000

I was lucky enough to get an invitation to a FoxSportsNet tour of the Clippers new training facility today from 11:00-1:00. When we arrived we were able to watch the Clippers play five-on-five scrimmages. Count ‘em, ten Clippers were there on a volunteer basis.

Those playing were: Davis, Telfair, Gordon, Thornton, Butler, Griffin, Smith, Camby, Jordan and, yes, Kaman. I asked if others had been around, and they said Ricky Davis has been there working hard the past few weeks, but was just missing during this time. I don’t know about Collins, Skinner or Novak. By the way, if anyone thinks Griffin cannot shoot the 18-foot jumper- WRONG! I saw him bury several. I also saw Telfair make a couple three’s.

We then got a Q&A session in the film room hosted by Michael Eaves with Coach Dunleavy and Blake Griffin. They talked about the upcoming season, changes in the Clipper coaching staff and changes in the Clippers roster. Coach loves the depth he has this season, the best ever he said. They talked about the advantage of having the training facility to call home. I asked Coach how close, if at all, were the Clips to getting Allan Iverson. He was very candid, saying that they inquired, thought he would be a great spark to come off the bench to add scoring and energy. However they felt he was not willing to come off the bench, and they never felt he wanted to commit be being a team player. This was the impression Dunleavy got from talking with AI.

Someone else asked about Blakes brother, blah, blah.

I was then able to talk to Andy Roeser for a few minutes. I asked him about retiring a Clipper number (Randy Smith or Bob McAdoo). He said they have considered it, but because both players were most famous from being outside Los Angeles (Buffalo and San Diego), he felt it was not appropriate to the LA fans. He was also wearing his famous suit jacket with the lining inside from the draft lottery. He said, “I sleep in this thing”. He said the Clippers were very fortunate to get a “franchise” player like Blake and that they do not come along very often. He promised the Clippers would be the most improved team in the league and even mentioned that they would be up-tempo.

Mike Taylor to Grizz

danobaseball — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:04:42 -0000

Mike Taylor to Grizz

Glad to see this!

6 Situations to Watch - in West (From HoopsWorld)

danobaseball — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:48:22 -0000

6 Situations to Watch - in West (From HoopsWorld)

Clippers are #4

Question for Steve (or anyone else)

danobaseball — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:31:31 -0000

Hypothetically, lets say the Clippers negotiated a buy-out on Madsen’s contract for this up coming season. Instead of paying him the $2.8M on his contract, they negotiate a buy-out for say $2.3M, saving the Clips $1/2M. Which number would count against the salary cap, the $2.8M or the $2.3M?

Similarly, couldn't the Knicks negotiate a buy-out on the two remaining years on a contract like Curry or Jeffries, or simply pay him the two remaining years in full during the current season, cut them, eat the applicable luxury tax for this year, all to have additional cap space next summer. I understand this might cost a lot of $, but is this not a way to free cap space? In other words, pay the balance remaining on the entire contract NOW, cut him, and have tons of cap space next summer. Does that work?

Or, what if the Knicks negotiated a deal with, say Curry, to pay the entire balance of his two-year deal this year, coupled with a provision to pay him the veterans minimum next year. Does this free up cap space for next summer? Can you accelerate payment of a contract into the current year, to create cap space for next year? I understand the luxury tax scenario, but if NY wanted cap space, couldn't this happen?

Milwaukee Trades for Another PG

danobaseball — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:48:10 -0000

Milwaukee Trades for Another PG

That gives Milwaukee three PG; four if you count Sessions. Why would they make this deal if they intend to keep Sessions? The answer is - they do not intend to keep him. I expect a final answer to this Sessions thing very shortly. Lets hope Dunleavy pulls off some of his magic! Go get him!

Latest on Sessions

danobaseball — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:09:14 -0000

Latest on Sessions

According to Hoopsworld, here is the latest on Sessions

Baron and Gordon Working Out in Vegas

danobaseball — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:00:26 -0000

Baron and Gordon Working Out in Vegas

I hope Baron comes ready to play!

Lamar Back With Lakers

danobaseball — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:04:06 -0000

Lamar Back With Lakers

Ugh!

Benedict Brand Ready ?

danobaseball — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:46:52 -0000