SBNation.com User Blog: lovinglosangeles

LA Times: Clippers planning to have new coach by June 27

lovinglosangeles — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:41:17 -0000

The Clippers will take their time and plan on having a coach in place by the June 27 NBA draft, one executive said.

Vinny Del Negro: Job loss hard to take

lovinglosangeles — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:09:15 -0000

Though he helped the Clippers to their best record in franchise history and back-to-back Western Conference playoff appearances, those weren't enough for Vinny Del Negro to keep his job as coach of the team.

Del Negro said that being let go Tuesday was "hard to take," but that he understood how the business of professional basketball works.

He said he was happy to help change the Clippers' culture.

He also wanted to thank Clippers owner Donald Sterling, President Andy Roeser, Vice President of Basketball Operations Gary Sacks and director of basketball administration Eric Miller.

"You try not to ever be surprised, but it is a business," Del Negro said in a phone interview from his home in Phoenix. "But I want to thank the fans, the organization and Mr. and Mrs. Sterling for giving me this opportunity.... I want to thank the players and my entire staff for their effort and support."

Del Negro helped the Clippers to several historic marks during the 2012-13 season.

The Clippers won their first first Pacific Division championship and had a franchise-best 56-26 record.

They had a franchise-best 17-game winning streak, 16-0 during the month of December.

Over three years as coach of the Clippers, Del Negro had a 128-102 record.

"I'm proud of what we've done there, things that had never been done there before," Del Negro said. "But it's hard to take. I do think the organization is in a much better place. This is disappointing, but I also feel very fortunate. You move forward from here."

Breaking News: Vinny Del Negro let go

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:57:40 -0000

The Clippers have fired Vinny Del Negro, source tells Y!
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 21, 2013

Los Angeles Clippers eyeing David West?

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:15:21 -0000

Per Marc's report:

Among the immediate concerns for the Indiana Pacers heading into the Eastern Conference finals against Miami is the state of David West's right calf. One of the longer-term worries, though, is West's forthcoming free agency.

The Pacers' veteran leader openly loves his situation in Indiana, which certainly gives Indy justified cause for optimism when it comes to re-signing the 32-year-old this summer. Yet the whispers are already swirling that Chris Paul's Los Angeles Clippers, in particular, are going to make a hard run at West in the offseason.

Indy will certainly have the ability to pay West more to convince its locker-room sage to stay, given that the Clips would presumably have to structure an offer with the $5.15 million midlevel exception available to nontax teams. But you have to figure that the former Hornet -- who rose to All-Star prominence playing alongside CP3 -- is going to want to hear the details of a proposal pitching a reunion with his old point guard ... as long as Paul himself, of course, decides to stay. If Paul re-signs with the Clips as most league insiders continue to expect, L.A. will be seeking to add the final piece or two to cement itself as a contender with some staying power.

Yet Indy's brass must feel some reassurance when it hears West say things like he said in the wake of the New York series when he described the Pacers as "the most together group I've ever been a part of."

Then you have this guy claiming that David West cannot stand Chris Paul. Keep in mind this is the same guy who initiated the whole Eric Gordon-back-to-the-Clippers-rumor

Hey Clippers fans- dont get to0 excited about idea of David West taking less money to play w/ CP3. Little dirty secret: West can't stand CP3
— Michael McNamara (@McNamara247) May 21, 2013

Stan Van Gundy will not coach during the 2013-2014 season

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:46:11 -0000

Per Sports Talk Florida,

Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy announced Tuesday morning on The David Baumann Show that he will not coach next season and stated that it was a family decision, yet left a slight window opened to a potential return.

Stan Van Gundy, "As you get down the road more and the longer you are out, the harder it is to get back in and that was certainly a difficult part of the decision process for me because it's certainly something that I miss and don't want to close the door on for the rest of my life, but, it is not right now anyway, in the best interest of my family, so it won't be next year."

Stan Van Gundy told us he won't coach next season. Full story, with audio & quotes! sportstalkflorida.com/stan-van-gundy…
— David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) May 21, 2013

An interesting nugget as well:

SVG: "I sort of laugh a little bit on jobs I supposedly interviewed for... but no job offers and I have not interviewed anywhere."
— David Baumann (@DavidBaumann33) May 21, 2013

Why was Donald Sterling in San Antonio?

lovinglosangeles — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:19:17 -0000

Here are some of Marc Stein's tweets:

Hottest theory circulating here in San Antonio is that Donald Sterling was at Game 1 sitting across from Grizz bench to scout Lionel Hollins
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 19, 2013

Could Sterling have been in San Antonio on other business, on a Sunday, two rounds after Clips eliminated? If so, that's a first for him
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 19, 2013

Clips, I'm told, have NOT asked to interview Spurs' in-demand Mike Budenholzer. Suggests Sterling was thus scouting free agent-to-be Hollins
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 19, 2013

And ESPN's Insider has this nice excerpt:

Vinny Del Negro's future with the Los Angeles Clippers is very much in doubt and we got word from ESPN.com's Marc Stein that owner Donald Sterling may have been scouting a possible replacement on Sunday.

Now, if anyone has access to Insider, can you please post some interesting points made in the article?

P.S. Thanks goes to John Raffo who came up with the title of this post.

Raffo: I found this pic from Getty images dated yesterday. That's Peter Holt with his back to the camera:

Source: Vinny Del Negro to meet with Donald Sterling this weekend

lovinglosangeles — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:55:38 -0000

According to Chris Haynes of Comcast Sporstnet...

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has scheduled to meet with head coach Vinny Del Negro over the weekend to discuss Del Negro's fate with the organization, a league source informed CSNNW.com.

According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, says the two will meet in Los Angeles and a decision is anticipated shortly after.

The uncertainty of Del Negro's job status has been lingering over his head and coaching staff ever since the Clippers were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies, a team they took care of a year ago in the first round.

Clippers' assistant coaches operate on annual one-year deals. If Del Negro is brought back, the coaching staff is expected to remain intact.

Del Negro's contract expires June 30.

One funny tweet about Blake Griffin, Vinny Del Negro and KIA

lovinglosangeles — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:08:38 -0000

And yet Blake Griffin never uses his time travel to make sure Vinny Del Negro never gets hired.
— sir broosk (@celebrityhottub) May 11, 2013

Dallas News: Clippers making a run at Dwight Howard

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:37:02 -0000

It is hard to say how much of this is true but you just never know. But one thing is for sure: Rumors will start flying all over the place.

But with Chris Paul looking less and less likely to leave the Los Angeles Clippers, Howard is the singular target in free agency that the Mavericks can take a big swing at. And they will do so.

There is new competition, by the way. A few executives around the league have learned since the Clippers' season ended with a first-round playoff loss to Memphis that they are probing ways to dump enough salary to make a run at Howard. Other personnel execs said they doubted that the Clippers could free enough money to make a serious run at him.

If they can, it will raise the number of capable and presumably desirable teams that will pursue Howard to five - the Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, Rockets and Hawks.

LA Times: With the proper maneuvering, Clippers can improve in off-season

lovinglosangeles — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:34:34 -0000

To sum up the LA Times article, here is what Ben Bolch sees it needs to happen for the Clippers to be successful:

Players to release

Chauncey Billups ($4 million)

This one is going to be tough. You love him like a brother. He is the Penn to your Teller, a steadying presence to a young and, at times, juvenile group of players.

Sadly, like Penn, he is prone to disappearing. In the final three games of the Memphis series, Billups scored zero, three and four points.

Unless he's willing to come back on a veteran's minimum deal, it's going to have to be bye-bye, buddy.

Lamar Odom ($8.2 million)

Odom tied for the league lead in games played. In those 82 games, he scored in double figures three times.

Add it all up and ... well, that won't take long. Odom averaged career lows in points (4.0) and assists (1.7) while making more than the gross domestic product of some third-world countries.

See ya.

Ronny Turiaf ($1.1 million)

We love effort and energy guys. Really, we do. Particularly when they're willing to help the marketing department by appearing on those in-game scoreboard ads for Metro.

But when they average nearly as many fouls (1.2) as points (1.9) while struggling to defend, it's not worth the effort to keep them around.

Players to keep

Matt Barnes ($1.2 million)

If Barnes didn't price himself out of another veteran's minimum contract with his solid play in the regular season, he certainly did with his 30-point bonanza in Game 6 against Memphis.

The Clippers would prefer to give him a small raise as opposed to dipping into their mid-level exception. Either way, he's a keeper.

Willie Green ($1.3 million)

We never said you would have to bid adieu to all your friends.

Green is just good enough and certainly cheap enough to warrant retaining through his nonguaranteed contract that would pay him $1.39 million next season.

Ryan Hollins ($1 million)

He's not a difference-maker except when it comes to staying under the luxury tax threshold of about $72 million for next season.

Players to get

O.J. Mayo ($4 million)

Mayo has said he would opt out of the final year of his contract with the Mavericks, giving other teams a shot at his services.

Though signing Mayo would probably require the full mid-level exception (plus a gift basket for agent runner Rodney Guillory), the shooting guard would provide another high-end scorer in the Clippers' starting lineup.

Mayo is coming off a season in which he made a career-best 40.7% of his three-pointers while averaging 15.3 points. That's, ahem, nearly twice the 8.4 points Billups averaged.

J.J. Hickson ($4 million)

Hickson was a double-double machine last season as an undersized center, averaging 12.7 points and 10.4 rebounds.

He could teach the Clippers' current overpaid center about playing with heart.

Jason Collins ($1.3 million)

You've made your owner look smart. Now it's time to help him in the public relations department.

Adding Collins, the first openly gay athlete in one of the four major U.S. pro sports, could put the heavily maligned Donald T. Sterling up for a humanitarian award.

It would be the ultimate feel-good story. Except for the unfortunate counterparts Collins leveled with his sturdy picks.

Players to trade

DeAndre Jordan ($22.4 million over two seasons) and Eric Bledsoe ($2.6 over one season)

You're probably going to have to part with your understudy to move your primary underachiever.

These are the possible trade targets if these two are shipped out to land a post presence:

Possible trade targets include Boston's Kevin Garnett ($12.4 million over one season, 36), who would presumably love to be part of a Big Three, West Coast edition; Sacramento'sDeMarcus Cousins ($4.9 million over one season, 22), another big man in need of a fresh start; Toronto's Andrea Bargnani ($10.7 million over one season, 27), who has been dangled more often than toes in the Pacific Ocean; and Cleveland's Anderson Varejao ($9 million over one season, 30), the floppy-haired forward-center whose rebounding upside should offset his history of injuries.

ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz updates us on the futures of Vinny Del Negro and Chris Paul

lovinglosangeles — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:52:07 -0000

I do not know if this has been posted before. If it has, I apologize.

Chris Paul, the Clippers and TMZ

lovinglosangeles — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:16:56 -0000

Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames.

Chris Paul -- Re-Signing with the Clippers? 'I Hope So' - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

Atlanta Hawks targeting Stan Van Gundy for head coach

lovinglosangeles — Sat, 11 May 2013 05:08:18 -0000

According to ESPN,

With Larry Drew likely done as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, general manager Danny Ferry has made Stan Van Gundy his top target to take over the team, Yahoo! Sports reported on Friday.

The website, citing league sources, says Ferry has contacted Van Gundy about the position, although the two have yet to meet in person to discuss the job. Yahoo! Sports also reported that Van Gundy hasn't made a decision on whether he wants to return to coaching but thinks highly of Ferry.

Byron Scott, a candidate for the Clippers coaching job? Maybe, maybe not.

lovinglosangeles — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:24:02 -0000

I came across this tweet from Kevin Arnovitz which I found quite interesting:

In the past, B. Scott has been regarded as too much of a road-trip "golfer" for LAC's taste, however much residual appreciation CP may have.
— Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) May 9, 2013

I came across this tweet from Kevin Arnovitz which I found quite interesting:

In the past, B. Scott has been regarded as too much of a road-trip "golfer" for LAC's taste, however much residual appreciation CP may have.
— Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) May 9, 2013

Vinny Del Negro expected to meet with Donald Sterling next week

lovinglosangeles — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:49:42 -0000

Per his report, Ken is saying that

Vinny Del Negro is expected to meet with Donald Sterling in the coming days to discuss his precarious future as the Clippers' coach, league sources told CBSSports.com on Tuesday.

Del Negro, whose contract expires at the end of June, could meet with the Clippers' owner next Monday or Tuesday, though the meeting hasn't been set yet, sources said.

Coaching sources expect the Clippers to cut ties with Del Negro, and there is momentum from within the organization to make a change quickly. Two people familiar with the organization's dynamics caution that Del Negro has formed a strong bond with Sterling, but it is believed there is too much momentum in favor of making a change for their relationship to save Del Negro's job.

According to Kurt, questions about Vinny's decisions on the court have been raised as well as his involvement in DJ's development.

More than that, on the court there were questions about Del Negro's simple offensive sets, inability to developDeAndre Jordan, inconsistent defense (although they were a top 10 defense in the NBA) and whether he could lead a good team to the next level. There were also questions about whether Chris Paul - the Clippers star and free agent to be July 1, the guy they have to re-sign - wants Del Negro back.

Derek Fisher fined for flopping

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:50:11 -0000

So ESPN reporting that Derek Fisher has been fined by the League for flopping. Is anyone really that surprised? Why did the League take so long? The question now should be when will LeBron James and Manu Ginobili get fined?

Oklahoma City's Derek Fisher was fined by the NBA on Monday for flopping in Game 5 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

Fisher's fine was the result of a play in the second quarter when both he and teammate Kevin Martin fell backward onto the floor to take a charge against Houston center Omer Asik. Asik was called for an offensive foul on the play.

Marc Stein: Dismissal of Vinny Del Negro inevitable

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:58:16 -0000

Per Marc Stein in his TrueHoop Blog:

The consistent word in coaching circles is that the Clippers want to go "big" with their forthcoming coaching hire after what insiders continue to describe as the inevitable dismissal of Vinny Del Negro in the wake of L.A.'s first-round exit.

The Clippers are still interested in acquiring the services of Stan Van Gundy, who is not interested in the Bucks coaching job, but should the Clippers' efforts fail to get Van Gundy, here are other names being mentioned for the coaching position:

Co-sign completely with the list of candidates introduced by Hall of Fame writer Mark Heisler on HoopsHype.com in the event that the Clips' interest in Van Gundy doesn't morph into something serious: The unemployed duo of Alvin Gentry and Byron Scott and Warriors assistant Mike Malone. Chris Paul is fond of all three.

As for Chris Paul resigning? It is more likely that Dwight Howard leaves the Lakers than Chris not resigning.

All indications continue to suggest that Dwight Howard is far more likely to give serious thought to leaving Hollywood than Chris Paul.

One source close to the situation said this week that there are just "too many positives" for CP3 in L.A. even in the face of a hugely disappointing Round 1 exit when it seemed that the Clips had a clear path to the Western Conference finals thanks to their 2-0 series lead over Memphis and OKC's loss of Russell Westbrook.

Chris Paul and teammates celebrating his birthday (picture)

lovinglosangeles — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:32:30 -0000

How does it make Clipper fans feel to see this moment?

CP3 and his teammates celebrating his birthday.Point God Ain't Leaving #RepLAC Clippers">#Clippers #Chemisty twitter.com/Gr818tion/stat…
— Gr(818)tion LLC (@Gr818tion) May 7, 2013

CBS Sports coaching update and Clippers' players input in future of Vinny Del Negro

lovinglosangeles — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:12:10 -0000

From CBS Sports:

The Clippers (Vinny Del Negro) and Hawks (Larry Drew) also are expected to have head coaching vacancies in the near future, league sources said. The Clippers are said to be "exploring all options," while the Hawks' decision on Drew's future is expected "sooner than later," sources said. It is widely believed that Hawks GM Danny Ferry prefers to install his own head coach in Atlanta.

From the Daily News:

Whatever decisions the Clippers make this week regarding the status of Coach Vinny Del Negro, input of players could turn out to be a key to the process.

Del Negro, who guided the Clippers to the best record in franchise history only to be gutted by a first-round playoff loss, has reached the end of his three-year contract and the club will decide if he returns.

Whether the potential signing of free agent Chris Paul is linked directly to Del Negro's return, the opinion of the All-Star point guard and forward Blake Griffin will fit somewhere in the equation.

We'll sit down and talk with Vinny and I will go over some things for the future and discuss it with our owner (Donald Sterling) and see where we're at," Sacks said. "It's kind of early right now, we're still in the process of getting feedback from everybody and seeing how we came up short in the series.

"The team did a lot of good things this year. (In) the regular season, we obviously did some things the franchise has never done, but when you don't accomplish your goals and you don't get as far as you'd like in the playoffs, obviously you have to evaluate everything.

A couple of interesting tweets on Clippers and Celtics and press conference

lovinglosangeles — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:11:49 -0000

Listen: I said what's being talked about, scenarios that are being contemplated. Can't rule anything out W/ Clips/Celts. Absolutely nothing!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 6, 2013

The Clippers covet KG and Pierce and would obviously love to have Doc but that is a steep price for a short-term plan.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 6, 2013

And also, please pay attention to this tweet about today's press conference....

Vinny Del Negro and Gary Sacks will address the media Monday morning.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 4, 2013

And a dumb tweet clearly from a Laker fan.

@arashmarkazi y blake is not top 10 he is hurt every year
— James (@JamesJL85) May 6, 2013

Arash Markazi on the Clippers

lovinglosangeles — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:34:22 -0000

You can find Markazi's article here. I apologize in advance if this has been posted already or even discussed.

1. Chauncey Billups

Billups said he would like to return to the Clippers. He was only able to play 22 games during the regular season after coming back from a ruptured Achilles and dealing with several other injuries, but said he feels as good as he has in two years.

"I would love to be back here and continue to help in this process," Billups said. "I feel like we are getting closer. I definitely want to be a part of it and I'll be able to show everybody who I've always been with a summer of getting myself together, so hopefully it works out like that.

Billups, who will be 37 at the start of next season, said he hopes to play two more seasons and has no aspirations to be a head coach when his career is done.

"I'm focused on playing a couple more years," he said. "Two more years is my goal and after that my desire is more to be in the front office, not coaching. You never say never but my desire has never been to coach. It looks like I'm doing that now but I can't help myself. I would feel better about being in management and putting a team together."

Billups also said he would talk to Paul about returning.

2. Grant Hill

Hill, who will be 41 at the start of next season, had hinted several times that this would be his last season after battling various injuries and only playing in 29 games. Hill, under contract for next season, didn't rule out the possibility he could come back for one more season after feeling healthy again.

I feel as good as I've felt in the last two years," Hill said. "That may mean you should continue to play or get out while you're healthy, but I do feel great. It certainly may factor into what I may do going forward.

3. Matt Barnes

Barnes was able to have a career season after he signed with the Clippers for the veteran's minimum before training camp began at the urging of Paul. Barnes had 30 points and 10 rebounds Friday against the Grizzlies. He said he will explore his options but hinted that Paul already had begun recruiting him to re-sign with the team.

"Chris and I have already been talking about it," Barnes said. "We talked about it on the plan last night. He's obviously the franchise player but we also talked about what I was thinking about doing. Without giving anything away, he was doing his job (in recruiting me).

Ric Bucher on Chris Paul and Vinny Del Negro

lovinglosangeles — Mon, 06 May 2013 04:14:01 -0000

According to Ric, the rumors around the Association hint that Vinny's job is history.

I also know that Paul's control of the franchise, by virtue of the fact the Clippers will do anything to keep him, is nearly absolute. As for the current head coach, Vinny Del Negro, the consensus around the NBA is that this first-round ouster is almost certain to cost him his job. There are plenty of contributing factors that led to their demise that Del Negro couldn't control -- Billups' Achilles tendon issues, Blake Griffin's high ankle sprain, to name two -- but owner Donald Sterling simply invested too much in this team to be out of the postseason already. If Del Negro stays, it's because Paul wants him to stay and I haven't heard from anyone that Paul is willing to go to bat for Del Negro in that way. I only hope that over the next few months Paul doesn't feign that he will have nothing to do with who gets the job next or del Negro not being retained. The only way that could be true is if he tells the Clippers definitively that he is not coming back; otherwise, they are assuredly going to be highly interested in who Paul thinks should run the team.

Before we make comments like, "Well, it is DTS we are talking about here", let us keep in mind that DTS is also a businessman and Chris makes money for him. He will make sure CP3 is happy enough to stay, even if it means not retaining Vinny. Also, I do not remember who first reported it but DTS did not seem happy after the Clippers lost Game 5 at home.

Kaylyn Neely: Clippers should keep Vinny Del Negro

lovinglosangeles — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:11:05 -0000

According to Kaylyn Neely, who a student and a blogger/writer/journalist/reporter based in Toronto, the Clippers should keep Vinny Del Negro because:

The Los Angeles Clippers head coach, Vinny Del Negro‘s contract is up at the end of June and after a disappointing end to the Clippers' postseason. All of the great things that Del Negro has done for the franchise have been long forgotten. It's probable, the Clippers' long known for suffering because they're just super cheap, will elect to let Del Negro go because they don't want to pay him the price he can justify asking for. Regardless of everything, Del Negro proved he can coach, especially in the early season and the Clippers should aim to re-sign him.

She does not believe that losing the series or even the last game should be pinned on Vinny:

It would be a stretch to pin the game, or even the series on Del Negro. He tried everything and then some. Of course, he's made bad decisions but he's also made great ones. Crawford turned out to be one of the best finds of the free agency period last summer.

How about Stan Van Gundy, Kaylyn? You might ask. Well, she is not sold on the idea. She does not believe, or at least she hints, Stan would be an upgrade over Vinny:

Would replacing Del Negro with a coach like Stan Van Gundy even be a step up? Del Negro made every adjustment he could have throughout the season. He found a way to make sure that 15 players found minutes with still making sure the team won. If Del Negro wouldn't made the adjustments and rotations he did all year, he would never have found out that his last guys off the bench like Ryan Hollins or Matt Barnes could do what they did turned out to be capable of doing. Barnes was signed at the veteran's minimum to appease Chris Paul.

I thought you would all get a kick out of this.

Zach Randolph on Blake Griffin's ankle: Playoffs 'big-boy game'

lovinglosangeles — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:05:57 -0000

From ESPN:

Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph expressed no sympathy on Thursday for the condition of Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin.

Asked how Griffin's high right ankle sprain injury might affect the matchup of power forwards when the two teams meet on Friday for Game 6 of their first-round series, Randolph was dismissive, reminding reporters that he was nursing his own injuries.

"Banged up?" Randolph said. "I'm banged up. You forgot about my ankle? Banged up. My ankle is as big as a balloon. Talk to the trainers. I'm getting treatment every day. It's the playoffs."

Zach, Zach...

Last year when I played in the playoffs, I wasn't 100 percent, but I was out there, so I had to be 100 percent," Randolph said. "It's the playoffs. It's a big-boy game.

But Mike Conley has more class...

Teams do put you in more schemes, more pick-and-rolls, try to wear you down a little bit more knowing that you're banged up here and there, but [the Clippers] have played through injuries just like any other team has played through injuries," Conley said. "[Griffin] is a great player. He's a fighter. I expect him to be Blake Griffin, and I'm not going to treat him any differently because he's capable of putting up big numbers and big nights. We just have to hope it's not tomorrow."

Tom Ziller: VDN can't stay and CP3 might leave if Clippers lose series

lovinglosangeles — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:45:21 -0000

Tom Ziller of SBNation tells us that:

If L.A. loses this, can both CP3 and VDN hang around? Remember, Paul is a free agent this summer, too. It would have seemed improbable that he'd leave the Clippers after turning around the franchise over two years. But losing in the first round would be a distinct step backwards. It's hard to imagine Del Negro surviving a first-round loss, even given the fact that the decision-making process in L.A. is strange, mysterious and possibly ruled via Ouija board. (The headline of the press release announcing that Gary Sacks was basically the new GM of the team last offseason read "Gary Sacks assumes role of Clippers VP of basketball operations." Assumes role? Like, did he inherit it? Was it a coup? Is he just assuming he's in charge because everyone else left for a pack of smokes and didn't come back?)

Is there really a need to bash the Clippers Front Office (FO) and Donald Sterling at every turn? Really, Tom?

It is no secret that Clippers ownership and FO have been less than stellar throughout the years but in the last three years they have seemed to be slowly but surely turning the corner. At least that is my impression.

The one thing I believe that Tom and I agree on is the talent the Clippers have (this goes back to the article posted yesterday) but our agreement ends here:

It's impossible to watch a team with this much offensive talent struggle to score without thinking about Vinny Del Negro, as easy and cheap as it might feel.

Regarding CP3 leaving, Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld seems to disagree with Tom:

RT @RealJT07: If Clippers loose series does CP3 look at other teams this summer -→ No, he's staying. Vinny Del Negro likely out.

All in all this to me is just another beat the dead horse article. But I just wanted to share with you.

P.S. 82-0 was spotted commenting on Tom's piece.

ESPN: Chris Paul has bruised thumb; Blake Griffin's x-rays negative

lovinglosangeles — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:46:30 -0000

According to Arash Markazi of ESPN, Chris Paul has a bruised thumb and Blake Griffin's x-rays are clean.

As if the Clippers needed to deal with any more injuries, point guard Chris Paul was diagnosed with a bruised left thumb after Tuesday's Game 5 but is expected to start Friday's Game 6 against the Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, Blake Griffin, who suffered a high right ankle sprain during Monday's practice and was taken out of Tuesday's game early, underwent an MRI and X-ray Wednesday, which came back negative. Griffin was hardly able to walk after the game and his availability for Friday is still in doubt.

It is unclear whether or Blake will play on Friday against the Grizzlies

Del Negro said Lamar Odom would start if Griffin could not go but wanted to see how he felt Thursday and Friday before making any decision. Griffin is officially listed as day to day.

Vinny Del Negro calls out DeAndre Jordan after Game 5

lovinglosangeles — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:01:45 -0000

Per the Daily News:

I don't know if crossroads is the right (word) but there's definitely a level you have to play at right now that is much different. He has a much different responsibility now. He understands it.

I haven't seen the consistency that I like. He hasn't seen the consistency he would like.

Sure, DJ has been a non-factor during the playoffs but so have Vinny's adjustments. It is time for VDN to take some responsibility for his coaching. If VDN is willing to call out DJ, then he should call out himself as well.

When the team picked up VDN's option last year, I was willing to give him time because last season was a short one with no training camp. But this time around there was no excuse. He was handed a team loaded with talent and he has proven time after time he is NOT the coach for the Clippers.

Am I frustrated? Yes. Am I angry? Hell yeah.

By the way, VDN has now become a comedian

But those are decisions that are made during the heat of the battle, and you go with your rotation as best you can. At this stage of the game you want to stay with your rotation, but if they're not being productive, you have to look at other guys you have confidence in, that have produced throughout the series.

Really, Vinny? Other guys like Willie Green or Grant Hill? And yet, they have sat on the bench throughout the playoffs and should be utilized.

Breaking News: OKC's Russell Westbrook out indefinitely to undergo knee surgery

lovinglosangeles — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:18:10 -0000

FOX News is reporting that Russell Westbrook is out indefinitely to undergo knee surgery:

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook will have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and be out indefinitely.

The Thunder announced the injury Friday.

Westbrook was hurt in Game 2 of the Thunder's playoff series against Houston on Wednesday night. Rookie Patrick Beverley lunged into him trying for a steal in the second quarter and his hip collided with Westbrook's knee.

Westbrook has never previously missed a game in his four NBA seasons.

Chris Paul wins KIA Community Assist Award

lovinglosangeles — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:57:25 -0000

Kia and the NBA are honoring Paul for his commitment to the well-being of youth, as well as his continuous efforts through the CP3 Foundation. The six-time NBA All-Star is passionate about using his influence to enhance the work of national and international non-profit organizations to help communities around the world. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Paul is showing his support as a spokesperson for Prevent Child Abuse America, a national organization that works to ensure the healthy development of children. Paul is currently featured in Prevent Child Abuse America's Ties for a Cause campaign, with proceeds benefitting the organization, and also participated in a fundraising auction to raise additional funds for the organization.

Vinny Del Negro gets vote of confidence from Clippers management

lovinglosangeles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:00:19 -0000

Per the Los Angeles Times:

Gary Sacks, the Clippers' vice president of basketball operations, says that speculation about Del Negro's future is a distraction and that the focus should be on the playoffs. Del Negro is in the final year of his contract.

I just think that this is the time to focus on the playoffs," Sacks said. "That this is a distraction bothers me. It keeps coming up. All we're trying to do is win. We're trying to put ourselves in position to win. I don't see any negativity in this organization now. It's all positive.

It is no secret that I am not a fan of Vinny but Gary is right in saying that all this talk about keeping or not keeping Vinny is a complete distraction.