Yahoo sports' NBA blog does a fairly entertaining recap of games every day.  Today's recap of yesterday's Clips game had several interesting tidbits.  Not only is it totally accurate regarding Baron, it had this to say about Kaman:

Chuck Hayes(notes) did well to hold Chris Kaman(notes) to 5 for 16 shooting. According to the Clippers broadcasting crew, not only did Kaman not know Hayes was going to guard him before the game or that he was starting, Kaman didn't know Hayes was 6-6. Wow.

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From Eric Pincus:

per Dunleavy - Blake Griffin probably back after the first of the year - story to follow

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A few of us broached this topic in the Iverson thread and upon SilverClip's suggestion, I thought I would put up a separate fan post to fill the lull before the next game.

There have been several discussions on what the team should do in the near future (ie. the next 1-3 years).  Some have suggested trading Kaman to maximize cap space to make a serious run at Lebron James, Wade and others.  Some have suggested standing pat and just seeing what we have.  My contention is that the team needs to focus on putting the right pieces around Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin.  Those two are our core and because they're so young, we have the time and resources to build a contender around them to ensure that 1) we make the most of the talent that we have, and 2) to make sure that neither want to leave as free agents when the time comes.  The idea is similar to what the Thunder are doing around Durant.

To that end, I think the plan should be clear - trade for Ricky Rubio. 

The fit is natural - Minny has Flynn and Sessions for the next several years.  There's already been speculation that they will try to trade Rubio before the draft next summer.  The Clips have a need for a PG to grow with EJ and Blake, and Baron only has a few more years left in his prime.  Plus, the timing is perfect as Rubio won't come to the NBA for another year or two.  By that time, the time will be right to hand the reigns over to him from Baron. 

The icing on the cake of course is that the Clips own the TWolves' draft pick, unprotected in 2011 and have several other assets at its disposal. 

The trade proposal that I originally suggested was Thornton and Minny's pick for Rubio and Brewer.  Minny could use the scoring punch at the 3 and the Clips are obviously in need of a defensive stopper on the wing.  However, based on David Kahn's latest comments, I think it seems as if they value cap space.  Thus, I'm thinking another option would be Ricky Davis and Minny's pick for Rubio, Brewer and Ryan Hollins (this would really be 2 separate trades - Davis for Hollins and Brewer for our Z-Bo trade exception).  This frees up an additional $5+ mil in cap space for Minny, giving them max or near max cap space this summer. 

This would give the Clips a future starting five (Rubio, Gordon, Brewer, Griffin, Kaman) all in their 20s and as balanced as any in the league.  A pure passing PG, an all around SG, a defensive stopper SF, a star PF, and a true center.

So yea...who wanted Iverson on this team again?  All the talk about him being willing to come off the bench was BS.  It's a wonder anyone is surprised (yet I'm sure some are).

After his first game (after missing all of preseason and the first three games of the season), he's already complaining about coming off the bench.  Gotta love this quote:

"I had no problems (with the hamstring)," Iverson said afterward. "I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That's the only thing I got a problem with."

Just think, we'd be 1-4 right now AND having to listen to that guy cry about coming off the bench.

Just say no to cancerous players.

I'm sure this is going to tick off all the angry folks against the nickname, but Steve, it looks like your efforts are working.  Obviously yesterday's headline on Yahoo Sports was just great, but other blogs and sites are starting to pick up on it too.

Check out the latest entry from Basketbawful.com:

Back in more innocent times, Brian Skinner, Darius Miles and Lamar Odom were supposed to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a new and greater destiny. They believed, man. They believed in themselves, their team, and you, the basketball fan. And probably the Legend of Chupacabra...which, as it turns out, is much easier to believe in than the Clippers. Clippers fans should consider that as they begin the "Blake Superior" era.

Awesome.  Clearly people are liking the nickname (despite those on here who claim it doesn't have a ring to it). 

Btw, after this catches on completely and the TNT crew starts using it, remember who pushed you to promote the nickname!