Famous last words. The Clips might upswing for a year or two if they are lucky. First off, that starting lineup isn't very good. Secondly, Dunleavy and BD can't stand each other and something (or someone) is going to explode. Dunleavy will never get much out of BD even if he has something left in the tank. Lastly, do you really believe DTS is going to bust open his wallet and pay (long term) to make the Clips good? Even if he would, most of the guys on your free agent list wouldn't be difference-makers for them. 80% of the key for the Clippers is Blake Griffin developing into a superstar. If he does, they might be fun to watch and finish in the middle of the pack, which means they would not get a "solid" lottery pick. Most likely a low one. I like Al Thornton and Blake Griffin. Without a doubt Eric Gordon has talent and put up points in garbage games, but I'm not sure yet he'll be a legit starting SG. The downfall of the Clips is DTS and Dunleavy. IMO, they won't do much with those two in the picture.
Recent history says yes, Sterling will open his wallet. He paid Baron, extended Kaman, would have paid Brand until he Boozered the team, and would have paid Maggette if he didn't get that ridiculous offer from GS. That lineup isn't good? Maybe not compared to the Lakers but have you seen some of the lineups that made the West playoffs this past season? Baron Davis is Shaq in a guard's body as far as motivation goes. Not to mention that either one of the guys signed or already on the team will become a bench player. Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, or Chris Kaman as your sixth man. People are letting the Clippers reputation cloud their judgment on the potential that the team has today. I'm not even a Clipper fan and I can see they are in a good position compared to the rest of the league. Dunleavy may not be a great coach but since he became GM he has demanded responsibility from Sterling and given the team flexibility to make some major moves. But don't worry, I'll be back to tell everyone I told you so in the near future
OK, I was looking at RealGM's free agent list when I made that last post and they have Zach coming off the books in 2010 while every other site has him being unrestricted in 2011 so I was completely off there . I still stand by my argument that the Clippers were better off not settling for Darko and will be able to make some moves to put their team in an even better position. Let the roasting begin
Losing Z-Bo for nothing would be addition by subtraction for the Clippers. He's one of the dumbest, most selfish players in the league. I can't recall the opponent, but I remember Z-Bo throwing up an airball 3-pointer at the buzzer of a home game where the Clips trailed by 2 with 10-15 seconds left. He held the ball the last 6-7 seconds and had no business taking the shot. He (deliberately IMO) turned it into a desperation play. Few players in the NBA have such a negative influence on teammates. Clearing him out would have paved the way for Blake Griffin and Al Thornton. So what's the point of keeping Randolph with those guys? Is Griffin going to be like Brandon Roy and tell Z-Bo to sit down and shut when he starts whining?
We're draft envious of them getting more pingpong balls and their occasional lucky bounce where the odds don't beat them. Yeah! Great thread!
Ugh... Michael Heisley, it's probably too much to ask Sterling to save you twice. Memphis has officially commited to a course of not only losing games, but alienating fans, current players, potential free agents, draft picks, and coaching candidates. You think Rubio not wanting to play in Memphis and Thabeet skipping a workout is bad this year? Next season, 2nd round candidates will be skipping Memphis workouts.
Win a playoff GAME and get a draft pick right then you can start talking trash to Rockets fans. You really crack me up. Oh, and respond to my other post
So NBA fans should only discuss their own team? Should Clutch close down the NBA Dish? Make some sense please. People aren't going to stop posting about the Grizzlies here just because you don't like what they say. Get over it.
I think we all should apologize to Sterling. He is not as dumb as we thought after all. Instead of Darko and Buckner, now he got Q for Randolph. Maybe Sterling is holding Wallace's naked picture.
Or maybe everyone is holding Wallace's naked picture Some rumors were going around that Heisley went off on Wallace after Gasol tore it up in the playoffs last year, if I was Heisley I'd personally strangle Wallace for "making up" for that bungle with this move. Why did they get Thabeet again?
