Examples of Clippers stupidty: How about wasting 2 1st round picks on PFs who will ultimately play behind Brand if he were to resign with them. How about not locking anyone up to a long term deal this last season, leaving over 2/3s of their team up in the air playing for a new contract, thus killing any possibility for team basketball. How about letting every good player they have ever had leave via free agency. The Donald doesn't care about winning in the least, and he has proven that time and time again. BTW, if you ever get the chance to meet Keith Jones, talk to him about his time with the Clips. From what I hear, he has some pretty funny stories about the Donald. I think people like to focus on Brand because he would fill one of our most obvious needs, and he does play for a team that makes VERY questionable player moves. Plus in you repsonse you said stop offering Moochie, Cato, Rice trade proposals, but most of what I have seen list EG and CM. These are exactly the type of players the Clips would want, talented, young, cheap, and locked up for 2-3 more years. Plus, Brand has said that he will only resign with the Clips if they resign most of their players. If they don't he won't resign. He can easily pull a Kandi on them, sign for one year and leave for nada. Just because a team makes an offer to Brand he doesn't have to sign it if the Clips will match and lock him up long term. The Rocks have a history of pulling off pretty significant player moves that nobody would have expected- Barkely, Pippen, Drexler, Anderson (although this one didn't work out, lots of people thought we had little chance to bring him here for the MLE). Plus, you like to point out the we have over paid players in the past, and you are right. To the players however that shows that we take care fo our own. I believe that is why we get guys here. We have a coach that guys love to play for, no matter what you think of his X and O ability, and we treat players well, is brand new plush arena, paying good contracts ... This all goes a long way in bringing guys here. Plus, you are kidding yourselfs if you don't think that we are in store for some pretty significant palyer moves. We have over 2,000 more seats to fill and lux. boxes to sell. This team has already proven it can't sell out the Compac center on a regular basis. The best way to get fans excited is to bring in some new blood. Plus, in our situation, it is desparately needed.
Here we go again. Why do we need to make moves? This is a young team. The only thing we NEED to do is be patient. If there is a good deal out there, then take it. However, we do not need to make any changes to fill up seats. Only WINS will do that! President of Keep the Team Together!
I agree the Clippers are stupid, all they care about is having young players that will sell tickets. I would love to bring in Elton Brand for long term. I don't think Eddie Griffin and Mobley would get it done though. You think they would be interested in Posey? I think he is going to be a great player and he fits into the Clipper role. Young, talented, dunks, runs the court, etc. Maybe Posey, Mobley and Griffin for Brand and ?some other clipper? I think that would get it done.
The thing is, if Brand does come to us by some miracle, the rockets would need to get rid of Taylor and his stupid contract. Mobley,Griffin would start, but we would have to give up a little more to get probably Brand. Besides Francis and Ming, i would ask the Clipps to take anything they want including future picks.
Everyone is ready to make moves because of the lack of consistency that the team shows. Patience is a virtue that not many possess, and in the world of the business of basketball, patience has no bearing. This is a win now/worry later type of business, after four years of rebuilding/reloading I think the patience is wearing thin. As with every year, if there is a good trade out there to make then it will be made, but how often do they come along? Of course winning cures all, but they need to actually do it consistently in order to draw fan attention If you want to keep the team together, then have them meet Dorothy, the scarecrow, and the cowardly lion to walk down the yellowbrick road and see the Wizard about some heart, because that seems to be the problem with this team. I agree that the team should be kept together, with one move being that they waive Moochie.
When you look at the landscape of the western conference, you have to ask yourself which of the current playoff teams will drop-off next season. Maybe the Jazz but I doubt it if they lose Malone and Stockton then they have some serious $$ for FAs. Maybe the Jail balzers, but again they have an owner with so much jack that he makes Cuban look like a guy standing in line for government cheese. Even if this team improves chemistry-wise, and shows some overall growth, you're still looking at playing for an 8th seed. We need interior defense and outside shooting desparately. Plus the goal is to compete for a championship not an 8th seed. I think that alot of us are down on Mobes and EG, but they absolutely have good trade value. Atl thought enough of EG to offer SAR for him. SAR is a player, make no mistake. That crap about him being on losing teams is short sided at best. Put SAR ona good team with him as the contributor vs. the go to guy and he will flourish. I am not advocating trading for him, but Iwouldn't be upset if they did. I just want the point made that the guy can ball. He has been around 18 and 8 for the past several years, plus he is also young (remember he came out as a freshman). That ATL would swap him for EG shows that EG has pretty good value. Mobes would be a legit 6th man of the year canidate if he would accept that role. He would be attractive to the Clips because, I think, all their SGs are RFAs. Plus, he is cheap and locked up for several more seasons. He would also help them resign Odom. Odom is the Donald's favorite palyer according to ESPN. Will we end up with Brand? I don't know but to dismiss it as pure fantasy is ignoring the bigger picture. Not all player moves have to do with trying to get the best players. Some are done for monetary reasons (EG would satisfy this issue with the clips as he would be cheaper then Brand), some are done for chemistry issues(mobes helping them resign Odom), and I am not sure why some are done at all(Boston trading KA for Baker(WTF!).
This is a wonderful thread. We should check this out in October. While it has been entertaining and beating some hope inot our off-season some truth and a lot of reality has been sacrificed. And BTW, have we resolved if Moochis money is guaranteed all 6 years or not.
Yes we're in agreement of the awfulness of the Clipper franchise. But the root of the problem is Donalds unwillingness to pay a player. The rox right now have too much contract to sign Brand, the only way we can get Brand is if we do a S&T to clippers and dump one of your big contracts but I can't see the Donald taking on any of our big contracts. However, if we offer Mobley, Griffin and Moochie, 3 fairly small contracts, maybe he'll bite but I wouldn't bet on it.
Another reason why they won't be interested in Eddie Griffin. People, you have to understand how Clippers franchise works things. I've watched NBA basketball for nearly 10 years now, I fully understand how Clippers franchise works. At the start of the every season, they put together a roster with promising young players with cleapest payroll possible and sell to their fans, hey "we got a big future, come to see us". Every season, those stupid LA fans are sold because like most fans of lottory teams, they are OBSSESED with the magical work, i.e. POTENTIAL. So if their fans are happy and they have no terribly need to give out big contracts, they won't. They will give out if they feel they need it. Team basketball? Why is it needed? Sterling doesn't care much about the team results. What he cares about is how much he earns. You do know that Clippers are one of the most profitable NBA franchises, don't you? Please tell me what good players EXACTLY they let go. Ron Harper? Danny Manning? Mo Taylor? Come on you gotta give Sterling credit for not matching those contracts. Give him big credit for that. 1. You underestimate the power of money. There is only a small chance Brand will go the same route of Kandi. Hey he saw FIRST HAND how Kandi lost a ton of money for not signing last summer! No team is going to give Kandi the max this summer again. 2. What sell to you if you're a Clippers fan? A team with a resigned Brand + Odom + a promising rookie like Melo Anthony or TJ Ford (by my calcucation, that will still keep Clippers a payroll under 30m) or a team with Cuttino Mobley, Eddie Griffin + rookies (a payroll about 25m)? A few more millions a year will probably put 2000+ more fans (which means more than a few millions), it's good business! Sterling's surely better than me in maths, he will surely get it worked out. You meant Our good "reputation" of giving out "good" contracts HELP US bringing us guys like Moochie, Taylor, Cato here??? I am not saying that there will be no moves. But please NOT those unrealistic moves. And don't worry too much about ticket sales either. As long as Yao Ming is on our team, we will have decent if not great ticket sales. You are right. Jazz won't go away. Come on how many years have people predicted Jazz would go down? 5-6 years? Some people never learnt. Karl Malone + Andre Miller + Jerry Sloan = playoffs once again. Blazers if they blow up the team (which I think they will) is my prediction to fall out the playoffs next season. You need gradual progress. A 7th/8th seed next season is good enough for most of the Rockets fans. Believe me. You are right once again. Hawks will trade SAR for EG and Rice (expiring contract) IN A HEARTBEAT. But I don't think we will do. They are simply TOO HIGH on the kid, i.e. EG. Caroll Dawson and Rudy are quite stubborn people. They are not gonna admit their mistakes so soon. And I have a doubt whether SAR will fit in our team. Read this: You can't have two star players playing at the post. It's just not ideal. Now I know both Yao and SAR have the ability to step out and make some 12-footers, but they're at best working around the basket. And trust me, the addition of SAR will make Yao a 3rd option behind SAR and Steve Francis because like I said, Yao could still be effective without the ball but SAR couldn't. And if make SAR you main option, you've got yourself into the trouble. Simply see what happened to the Nugguts and Hawks when they have SAR as their No. 1 option. No Clippers have Q and Jaric (and a possible rookie guard). And once again, they don't care about winning anyway, who cares playing who in which postion? Also, you overrate friendship in a basketball money world. Name me an example players go for friendship over money please. Sterling will have no problem resigning Odom as long as he gives him enough money, simple as that. Well what can I tell you? If Clippers really want a player like EG, why did not they just keep Chandler? And chemistry issue? Are you kidding? When did the Clippers care about chemistry? I am asking those who labled Sterling and Clippers as stupid, Just when did Clippers EXACTLY do stupid things? Chandler for Brand? Good! Miles for Miller? Good! Not resigning Ron Harper, Danny Manning, Mo Taylor, Kandi? Good! So please Clippers, cheap? Yes. Don't care about winning? Yes. Stupid? No. Please get the fact straight 1st, people. And yeah Boston is a stupid franchise. But what can we rip them? Baker? LOL.
cuttino mobley resigning in houston, when he could have gotten a larger contract in toronto. good advice
i believe that question has already been answered. drafting ely and wilcox made absolutely no sense at all. that's just one example. if you can explain how it is not stupid, i'll be glad to name others.... huh? that was a classic example of a deal that did nothing for either team, yet you say it's good? i guess you didn't see the attendance #s at the compaq this season. really? denver? which SAR was this? which lifetime was this? mmm hmm. good advice. real good advice...
Toronto's offer was only a bit larger than ours. Plus it's Toronto. Toronto is in Canada where a lot of NBA players don't like. Think Cat would reject a Cato/Taylor size contract in a city say LA? I doubt it. See Arenas this year. He's going to Denver for his money. Who cares about his friends at GS? Why was drafting Wilcox and Ely stupid? They were playing the same position as Brand, right? Then, who was the other choice? Amare? Same position as Brand again. Bulter? Same position as Odom. And who cares which player turned out to be better player? Clippers are NOT about winning anyway. Once again, please remember this when you talk anything about Clippers. STERLING AND CLIPPERS DON'T ABOUT ABOUT WINNING. They care about MONEY, i.e. 1. How to build up fans interests and sell the team to its fans. 2. How to sell more tickets. 2. How to minimize the payroll. Did you read those preseason prediction? All were picking Clippers for the playoffs. Give Sterling credit. He's successfully sold his team to its fans with the addition of Miller (purpose No. 1 accomplished). Of course, at the end, Miller didn't help them to playoffs, but hey some tickets have already been sold (purpose No. 2 accomplished). Also, if Miller didn't work out, they could always let his contract go this summer and not stuck with Miles for 1 more year (purpose No. 3 accomplished). How was it NOT a good move by the Clippers? We had 10 soldouts this season (7-8 more than last season). Please give Ming credit for this. Sorry I made a mistake. It's Grizzlies right?
See, I completely disagree with this statement and that's why I think the Rockets have a chance (small) of possibly getting him. 1) Brand wants to WIN and is willing to take less money to do so. Not tremendously less but a bit less than the max. Brand will stay in LA if he sees the team is willing to resign their players and are trying to win. 2) Kandi lost a ton of money NOT because he took the one year tender but because of his attitude and lack of production! Make no mistake about it! And let's all wait and see what happens this summer, I still believe someone will OVER pay for him. 3) However, Brand's production since he has been in the league has been outstanding. He has a tremendous work ethic and teams know it. They are willing to pay for this! That's why the Kandi/Brand contract situation is different. 4) Brand WILL take the one year tender offer if the Clippers do not make a commitment to winning (Brand's agent, David Falk, has already said this). There will be a number of teams next year that have cap space that he can move onto once he is an unrestricted FA. And of course at that point the Clippers would have gotten jack squat for him leaving. So, this finally leaves us to what to do with Elton Brand if you are the Clippers: 1) Sign him to the 1 year tender offer and get jack squat when he leaves. 2) Sign and trade him to a team with young prospects with decent contracts and get SOMETHING, ANYTHING for Brand. 3) Sign Odom, Maggette (maybe even Kandi) to quality contracts show Brand that you are willing to win and thus he signs a near max or max contract with the Clippers. Which of those 3 things do you think is more likely to happen in Clipperdom? I am going to say option #3 is out the window given the past. Looks more like #1 and #2. #1 is foolish and gets you nothing as they are about to find out with Kandi and #2 at least re-supplies you with more talent to work with.
Newgirl, i'm leaving to go get some good thai food (yummy), so i don't have time to properly respond to you right now. however, i can't leave w/o pointing this out: 1) the clips do not care about winning. no argument on that one. 2) you make it sound like they can do no wrong and that complete bs. miles for miller was not a good move in any way at all. the clips fans have NEVER been happy with miller. NEVER. but they were very high on miles' athletic ability. in fact, i believe they would have made more $$ keeping miles and selling the team in its hiphop image than bringing in a boring, pass first point guard. hell...why not just bring in hot sauce, half man half amazing, and skip to my lou?? 3) so, no matter who they drafted, it was a good move, right? bullsh*t. butler would have been a better pick, because he can play the two or three. i can't believe you're gonna sit there and say not to draft butler because he and odom play the same position. this is the same lamar odom that is capable of playing 3 different positions on the court, yet you're concerned about drafting a player at his position? i'll be back later to continue reading what you wrote....and shaking my head in disagreement....
Don't expect much more. You're arguing with someone who Believes the lotto is rigged and Stern wanted Ming in Houston doesn't think you need basketball skills/sense to play in the nba knows Darko has superstar potential, and Melo does not
Quick trade proposal, tell me if i am cracked out or not.... EG, Moochie, Nachbar, and Collier for Fortson and Dunleavy Fortson gives us a bruiser down low who was a league leader in boards when he got to play. Dunleavy is a Rudy type player who didn't get any run at all last year (although I am not sure if they were just sitting him or if coach had issues with the pick). Dunleavy was probably as disappointing as EG was last year, but his game is exactly what we need at the 3.
Perhaps you're not quite the newgirl your moniker suggests? Then you truly are a unique and special individual.
well, getting rid of moochie's contract does make that deal appealing for the Rox, but Fortson gives us a legit bruising 4 to line up next to Yao. Fortson is good for 10 boards given time and his power game compliments Yao's finesse and Mo's off the bench. Getting Dunleavy gives us another prospect to replace Nachbar and EG whose game fits Rudy's M.O. Dunleavy is a coach's son (so he knows the NBA game) with a great shot and handles. His D is atrocious, but that could be hidden with a zone (which I think the Rox should run but that is another thread all together).
