Suddenly, the Clippers Look Quite Good on Paper
NBA, Video July 2nd. 2008, 11:05am
Props to ESPN’s Marc Stein for breaking some rather earth-shattering NBA news last night: For the first time in recorded history, someone actually chose Donald Sterling and the frugal Clippers. Golden State’s Baron Davis left $17.8 million on the table - perhaps that season-ending tiff with coach Don Nelson was more significant than previously thought - to ink a 5-year, $65 million deal with the Other Los Angeles team, the Clippers.
Let the febrile speculation begin: The Paper Clips won 23 games last season without a point guard and without Elton Brand. Are they 20 wins better with a backcourt of Davis and rookie Eric Gordon, small forward Al Thornton (another loser in this signing: Corey Maggette, who will definitely have to take a pay cut whether he signs in Orlando or Utah), and Brand and Kaman up front. Certainly a solid nucleus.
Understandably, they’re in tears over at Golden State of Mind, and the only hope right now appears to be trying to entice Gil Arenas back to the left coast. Too bad they can only offer him five years for $100 mil, whereas the Wiz can offer six years for $127 mil. Seems like a longshot. There’s always Beno Udrih!
Don’t worry, Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson, you’ll always have this:
104 Responses to “Suddenly, the Clippers Look Quite Good on Paper”
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July 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
He didn’t choose Sterling! He chose the LA Market. He’s a movie producer and has a lot of friends in Hollywood. Plus, the endorsements!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
B Davis with Chris Kaman. TBL is loving this
I am loving the thought of Maggette to Orlando
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
So money isn’t an issue.
And Udrih is signing with the Kings
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
I saw Chris Broussard on ESPN saying the Clippers were going to be a 4 seed now.
Remind me to never listen to that dolt’s opinion again. Clips will win 40 games.
I hope Ernie and Abe’s faith in Gilbert is worth it, we are hamstrung now and counting on him to stay healthy.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
5 yrs at 65 sure seems like a steal. I’m just amazed that Baron agrees to that but Gilbert is going to get 6 yrs at 120mil. That makes no sense, they are basically the same player, rarely healthy, great scorers, entertaining personalities, no defense, and don’t seem to translate into many wins.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
Whaaaat? What movie?
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
irish, read this about Maggette
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
Doesn’t Sterling own Blockbuster?
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
I saw Maggette was talking to the Spurs, that would be a great signing for San Antonio.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
I saw Chris Broussard on ESPN saying the Clippers were going to be a 4 seed now.
Chris Broussard, John Barry, and TBL’s boy JA Adande need to get fired. I cannot stand those guys. Mike Wilbon is getting up there with his annoyance as well.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
How about the Warriors announcer saying Baron’s dunk will live in NBA playoff history. Uhh no. Cool dunk, but uhh no.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
@ruckmaker: exactly my initial thought. BD wants to be closer to his other business interests.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
The local radio show mentioned Red Dawn, but I can’t find anything on that with a quick Google search. There is this though: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-383/Baron-Davis–Movie-Producer.html
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
when does shaun livingston get back
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
@clown- thanks for ruining my hopes
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
I liked his line, “PUT THAT IN YOUR FLATTOP!” in reference to AK47’s goofball hairdoo.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
Jalen Rose, on the other hand. Guy is awesome.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
A fair point … but the endorsement thing hasn’t done this dreadful team squat in … forever
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
if injuries were turned off, id take baron over gilbert any day, but sadly, with money comes baron’s bullshit injuries.
sometimes a relationship is more valuable than money, and GS and Baron were a match made in heaven.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
@mike NYC- i like Jalen Rose. Greg Anthony and Tim Legler do a good job as well. I cant stand Wilbon anymore because he thinks whatever BArry says is gold. John Barry is the Cooper Manning of basketball
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
I don’t mind Broussard. JA Adande, well he’s alright when he’s not on Around the Horn. But who is actually likable on that show? Also, John Barry’s negative connotation and tone he takes with EVERYTHING he says is just annoying. I don’t get it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
If JA Adande removed his Lakers cap before going on the air he would probably be very good
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
I think Davis has a better all around game than Arenas.
As for Sterling, when he got in that tiff with Dunleavy, they said he was willing to spend more now because he liked how it felt when they were winning during that playoff run. Whether that’s true or not… we’ll see.
The endorsements never came because they never had a real franchise guy. Brand is cool, but he’s not a franchise player. Davis is a lot more marketable, and seems somewhat savvy to that business
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
TNT “analysts” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ESPN “analysts”
and there aren’t enough >’s to truly convey how big the chasm is.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
Celtics made an offer to Maggette
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
that 4 seed junk aside - far, far aside - Broussard is good people and a very good writer. When i covered some hoops, he was bar far the coolest guy to chat with. You wouldn’t believe the egos on some of the other characters. Meanwhile, here was Broussard, writing at the NYT, and talking to me, a nobody, when the other dudes brushed me off. ESPN is using him horribly wrong. He’s not a TV guy - he should be writing lengthy features.
Adande … eesh.
/personal rant over
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Davis is an LA guy. It’s why he ran back to the WC when the Hornets wouldn’t cater to his every whim.
And while on paper the Cips look awesome, let’s remember that Davis has a history of injuries and Brand is coming back from yearlong absence due to injury. They’re going to need time to gel.
A 4th seed is out of the question, but if they can stay healthy and Davis doesn’t clash with Mike Dunleavy, a 6th-7th seed is possible. Hell, Denver got in with zero defense last year!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
TBL…i echo the sentiments on broussard, sans personal experience however. he should be a featured writer, not a TV dude.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
I like Broussard. And had anyone said the Hornets would be a 2-seed this past year would have also received your cold shoulder.
If I’m the Suns/Spurs/Mavs, I’m a little worried with this signing and the Blazers probable emergence.
Monta Ellis takes over at point for GS. I think they should try to sign either Childress or Josh Smith away from Atlanta.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Fine Broussard can stay. Barry needs to go though
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
I think the Mavs are done. I think the Suns could surprise people and if the Spurs get Maggette they are right back to the top.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
Baron Davis is officially a more likeable Gilbert Arenas, since he’s coming to save a dreadful franchise, at half the price. While Arenas will probably take heat for “suffocating the Wizard’s cap” over the next six years, Baron will be applauded, along with Elton Brand (another player with movie interests, and someone who essentially volunteered to take a pay cut this season so the Clippers could sign Baron Davis; why else opt out to get a lower salary next year?) for signing for less than they could have.
Anyway, the Clippers are much improved, and have a nice nucleus, but they aren’t top-4 just yet. Give them a decent bench, a couple of healthy years, and one more year for Eric Gordon to develop into a decent SG, then they might be a legit top-4 seed in the west…
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
worthless west conf prediction, with soooooo much still left to be determined:
1. lakers
2. utah
3. spurs
4. new orleans
5. blazers
6. suns
7. rockets
8. dallas
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
How is Baron an overall better player than Gilbert? I don’t see it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Baron is tight with the guy that knocked up Alba. they went to high school together.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Blazers are too high on that list. Lets wait and see how Greg Oden is
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Baron on the Clips is all about business. He is a movie producer and it is easier to be in town to do his work. He already had money (not sneezing at this contract though) If he cared about winning he would have gone to the East (Orlando?) or stayed in Golden State.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Everyone this is the Clippers we are talking about. Things will not work out for them, they won’t ever be good, stop with the crazy talk.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
TBL, I think it depends on the Spurs approach this offseason. They need to sign a wing player to replace Bowen. Childress or Maggette would do. If they stand pat, I think thy fall to maybe #6. I don’t think the Hornets will do as well because teams will take them much more serious this year. The Suns are a crapshoot.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
ESPN needs to just get rid of the whole nba crew and start over again…just too many assholes who fall over each other trying to say the more ridiculous thing
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
TBL cmon. Portland is not even top 8. TBL you need to read my comment in yesterdays Blazers post
Where is the EAstern conference prediction?
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Everyone this is the Clippers we are talking about. Things will not work out for them, they won’t ever be good, stop with the crazy talk.
exactly. Well said cbh
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
YYSA, even if Greg Oden is decent, like Chandler or Dalembert, it’s an upgrade over Przbylla (sp?). I think they’re going to be quite good if Roy’s knee holds up. And they played extremely well agains the Lakers.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
baron davis’s beard > jason giambi’s ’stache
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
NSR I think they could make the playoffs but overall that team is extremely young and I just think there time is in about 2 years.
That Baron Davis contract should not be surprising at all. It is extremely similar to the Steve Nash deal 4 yrs ago.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
YYSA, while I agree with you, I just think the way the Suns, Spurs, and Mavs have deteriorated leaves the door open. And I like Portland’s roster much more than Houston’s and even New Orleans’ due to lack of depth.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
If the Spurs get Maggette they will be right there contending for the title.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
If the Magic get Maggette they will be right there contending for the title.
well said cbh. you are on fire today
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
I’m not sure Maggette would fit as well as someone like Childress. I just don’t see him being a Popovich guy.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Does Toronto not have any cap space? I think Maggetted would be a great fit there as they are trying to make do with what, Parker/Moon/Delfino?
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
I think ESPN benchwarmer Paul Shirley once had a column about Baron Davis and his movie interests. His version was he was more of behind the scenes intro guy for people at this time but will increase his time with it when he left hoops.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
false.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Hahahah, thanks Irish.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Spurs and Mavs aren’t going anywhere and the Suns probably have another year left in them. This Portland love is ridiculous, they were a .500 team, how is a brittle center who’s never played a minute going to suddenly add 15 wins.
This does nothing for the Clip, Baron is an exciting guy, but trading Magette’s 20 points for Barons 20 doesn’t exactly make them a title contender.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:48 am
The New York Knicks will be the 8 seed in the eastern conference. I said it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:48 am
dude, baron davis > corey maggette
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:48 am
coop, it’s not just Oden that’s going to make Portland improve. Roy and Aldridge are only entering their third year. If Webster and Outlaw keep improving and Fernandez is half as good as advertised, that alone will be cause for improvement.
All Oden has to do is play defense for this team. That’s it.
Again, the Hornets were the freaking #2 seed last season.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 am
and: baron davis + elton brand > corey maggette (assuming health)
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Well, here is what IMDB has to say about Baron Davis - Link.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Chris Paul> Brandon Roy + Greg Oden + Bayless
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
Lebron > anyone
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
glad to see the Pistons are making moves to change the makeup of the team…
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:55 am
Anybody hear Adande on PTI yesterday (it was absolutely brutal with him and Mariotti, but NOTHING else is on at 5:30)? He was talking about some picture of a woman in the New York Times, and as they were going to commercial he said something to the effect of:
“Check it out. Newyorktimes.com. A legitimate website, unlike some of those others out there that throw pictures up.”
Wonder if he was talking about blogs.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
TBL headline today: “Suddenly, the Clippers Look Quite Good on Paper”
TBL yesterday: “I think 40 [wins] is realistic”
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
bceagles…Me, TBL, Irish, The recently departed Nomo and Hef’s 10 month old son are the 8th seed in the east..not a major league prediction there
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
anyone knows when Shaun Livingston will be healthy?
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
@atl i dont think i ever changed a channel faster then when i saw d-bag mariotti congrats for making it through u are a better man than i
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
From what I hear, Livingston isn’t fully healthy yet. He’s dunking and playing one-on-one, but the Clips haven’t let him run 5 on 5 yet
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I thought the Clips let Livingston go?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
They did, but I was just saying that was the latest news I heard about his rehab. Should’ve made that clearer, my bad
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
@mmonast - it was rough, but I took one for the team. It was fucking brutal.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Brand produced Red Dawn
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Sorry, Recuse Dawn.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Bill Plaschke:
Admit it, there is no bigger self-important douchestick than William Plaschke, Esquire.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Elton Brad produced a Werner Herzog movie starting Christian Bale?! That’s a pretty damned impress get for an active basketball player… great flick.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Now its the 7th seed according to Plaschke. I cant wait till Jeff VAn Gundy says they are winning it all
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
cbh: What do you think my opinion is of the Wizards moves this offseason? The people in the head office must live on another planet where mediocrity is considered golden. From a business perspective though, I think it’s a good move. People like Gil. They are still going to suck though. Watch out 5 seed!
As for the Baron Davis deal: I really like it. The West is going to be wiiiiide open next year, just like it was this year. Perhaps even more so with the Portland squad adding Oden and being more experienced, and this Clipper squad obviously upgrading. Baron has been successful wherever he has gone. He’s a great player when he is healthy. He will make that team better. On paper, assuming no injuries, that starting line-up looks very nice. At least from an offensive standpoint.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Plaschke is terrible.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Can’t stand most fan videos, but this has some hillarious lines…
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
@sean jean- wizards still cant get past the Cavs. Sometime during the playoffs they will run into them and lose.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I agree Sean Jean, I thought we needed to make some changes, oh well.
But Baron Davis isn’t better than Arenas, and if the Wizards are headed for constant playoff exits so are the Clippers. Although as I stated above this move won’t work out and the Paper Clips will keep sucking.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
irish: True, but I wouldn’t discriminate. I’m not sure they could get past plenty of teams in the playoffs. Their style of play with their roster just ain’t gonna get it done.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
If the Clippers are headed for a playoff exit, it’s because they’re in the West. They’re better than the Wiz.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
cbh: I think Baron is a better player than Arenas. He plays the point, so he is more valuable in my eyes (Gil is a shooting guard who brings the ball up the court, not a point guard). Baron is a far better athlete than Arenas (when healthy, Baron is one of the most physically gifted dudes in the league). Their scoring styles are similar, but Baron creates more on offense and goes to the bucket a lot more often than Arenas. I just can’t ever get behind Arenas fully with all the bad shots he takes that are essentially turnovers.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Better than the Wizards all because of Baron!?!?!??! Keep drinking the kool aid. Want to make a bet Nick?
You both are wrong, you just haven’t seen Arenas play the height of his skills in over a year. Baron played in the right system for his skills, he won’t have that system in LA. I am so ready to bet both of you on this.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
cbh, I’ll take that bet. Clip Show finish with a better record than the Wiz, easy.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I have to agree I think BD is better than Gil. BD is just as good or better offensively and he’s stronger and plays better D. I do agree with you CBH on the system the warriors played being perfect for his style of play.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
when healthy, the Wizards win over 40 games
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
You guys are all suckers. Bring it on, who wants to bet Clippers have a better record than the Wizards. I will take on all comers.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Clown, we will figure out terms come October.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
why try harder, when this will get a #4 seed in the East?
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Yes Baron is better than Gil, but the Clip won 23 games last year. Without Gil the Wiz won 43. Baron isn’t taking a 23 win team to the playoffs in the west, christ, I don’t know that LeBron could do that.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Baron is not better than Gil!@??!!??!?!
I think my head is about to explode. NBA needs to start now.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
The Clippers will love that they signed him… for the first two years, then they’re going to regret it big time. I’m a Warriors fan and while Davis was fun to watch, he just can’t take a full season without running out of gas (his last few weeks at the end of last season were awful). SO glad the warriors didn’t give him that kind of cap-shattering contract.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Coop, Baron might not, but Baron, Brand, and Gordon could probably do wonders
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Another thing, I don’t know if Sterling cares so much about winning as he does putting people in the seats. Before you could count on fans coming to see other teams. Then they started winning one year, and so there was a band wagon. Now they’re losing again and attendance dipped. So Davis might not bring wins, but he’ll bring fans
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I’ve seen Gil play at the height of his skills throughout his career. He’s a good jump shooter, but he’s one dimensional. The Wizards success without him the past couple of years should prove that.
Baron was successful with the Hornets before he went to GS. He was the leader of both of those teams. GS will be nothing without Baron. Mark it down.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
For the next 5 years: Monta Ellis > Baron Davis
Besides, with all of these young players, Davis’ LAZY ASS defense was a really bad example to set and long term this will work out great for Golden State. Good luck drinking that kool-aid Clippers’ fans… 7th seed my ass.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
@cbh: It’s not all Baron. It’s mostly having Elton for 80 games instead of 8. He’s one of the best 4s in the league.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Healthy Baron > Monta. Monta plays no D.
That’s not to say you can count on Baron being healthy, because you can’t.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Good luck drinking that kool-aid Clippers’ fans… 7th seed my ass.
lol. He is right about Barons D
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Baron plays defense? He must hide it real well then.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Is Ellis a poor man’s Iverson?
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
“Monta plays no D.”
Which he learned from Baron.