With all their decent moves and a weakened West, I'll side with the paper Clips this year. If the injury bug hits again, then that's part of their luck, but nothing indicates that they won't have a bad year. Because it's the Clips, success this year won't translate the next.
the problem that team had was that they didn't have any shooters, And Kandi was worthless, if you just crowded the lane that team was very bad. I do not know if they will make the play offs, but this team is much better IMHO
I disagree. They had Q, Maggette, and Odom who all jacked up over 100 3's, and they had a great shooter off the bench in Piatkowski. And as worthless as Kandi was, he did average 12/9
Yeah, but he stole all the good cookies from the pre-game spread. By the time Elton and Corey got to the stadium, only those nasty pecan things were left.
I like Cassell, but I dont think he is the right player for the Clippers. If he stays I think it disrupts things. I think he will be traded at some point. For the Clippers, it is paramount that Shaun Livingston gets serious minutes and is allowed to grow. He has great play making abilities and that is vital to the Clippers. When you have scorers like Brand, Maggette, and Mobley, it is important to have a PG that can distribute the ball appropriately. And that's why I dont see Cassell being a good fit there. I think the Clippers can challenge for an 8th seed. But they will be challenging other teams like the Warrios, Lakers etc. The Clippers look like they have good offense, they key is can they play any defense. The same can be said for the Kings. If I am the Rockets, I call up the Clippers and offer Wesley/Ward to try to take Cassell off their hands. Cassell is a better fit in Houston than in LA.
I don't care how bad the Clippers have been for the past 10-15 years. They have to get good again SOMEDAY, and I really believe that this year is that year. They have solid coaching and a talented starting lineup. If they miss the playoffs, it'll only be by a few games. I think that a lot of people underestimate the attractiveness of like situations. For young guys like Mobley who are desperate to prove to everyone how talented they are, places like Clipperland are the perfect proving ground. Obviously the Clippers aren't going to win a title anytime soon, but I can definitely understand the kind of appeal that a like situation might have.
The Clips will make the playoffs. Sam has something to prove since its his last year in his contract. If Sam can take the CLIPPERs to the playoffs, plus if the Wolves suck next year, then Sam can be justified on getting a better contract with a good team. Sam and Ray Allen were an awesome tandom and they were both scorers for the Bucks. Cuttino should be compliment Sam well. Ex-RUDY T Rockets back again! Go Rockets West!
You realize Sam will be 36 in November and he's played 12 seasons already. He won't be playing for a new contract. After next season he will be lucky to get the LLE, or anything above the league minimum for that matter. With the Clips, he will be lucky to play 15 MPG if Livingston is healthy.
When were they good in the first place? That era when Larry Brown coached them into the playoffs? I say getting into the playoffs is one thing but doing some damage in the playoffs is another.
IMO, Kaman will avg around 12/9 and I think Wilcox and Brand are a nice pair of 4's. Maggette will have a good year and Sam and Cuttino will bring leadership while the 6'7 Livingston will have his break out year. They and GS are better than the Lakers IMO already and maybe even the best teams in California
I do agree with this. But I've been hurt falling off the "Clippers are young, have some steady vets, and are on the rise" bandwagon. I'm just hurt. While they WILL improve, they will not make the playoffs (but they will be better than the cross-town Kobes, and that's enough for ME! )
For the posters that think the Clips will make the playoffs this year, who amongst the teams that made it last year won't make it? I can't imagine KG not making the playoffs again. Phil Jackson not making the playoffs too?
Whoa, whoa, there, I didn't say that they ever did damage in the playoffs or that they were anything great. They were good--good enough to get into the playoffs with that old team of Manning, Gary Grant, Harper, et al. They were never a great team nor do I believe that they'll be a great team anytime soon if that roster stays how it is. But they are definitely improved and could all kick my ass at basketball, so I'll stand by my original assertion that they are good.
The WC seedings will shuffle a lot, but right now I can definitely see Memphis falling out. I also think Seattle could fall hard if they don't have good team chemistry like last year. I have nothing against Bob Weiss, but he isn't Nate McMillan, plus they lost AD. Replacing them, I could see the Clips, and either the Lakers or Warriors rising up. The Warriors have a weak coach, the Lakers have a weak roster. The Clips have their best chance at the playoffs in a while. They should do it this time and have no excuses, except the fact they are the Clippers. IMO, the T-Wolves roster is too weak to crack the top 8 out west.
