Chad Ford is a TOOL...

[illastrate]

LOSERS

Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers once held the coveted title of most dysfunctional franchise in the league and they made a lot of strides toward reclaiming it this summer.

Everything started off so well. They shocked many by quickly coming to terms with Warriors free agent Baron Davis -- filling a big need at the point. Pairing Davis with Elton Brand was supposed to put the Clippers on a course back to the playoffs in the West. Unfortunately, the team then inexplicably lost Brand to the Sixers a week later. Brand's people say the Clippers mishandled the negotiations. The Clippers point the finger at Brand's agent, David Falk.

Suddenly, the Clippers' dream team was a nightmare. At this point in his career, Davis making $65 million stretches credulity, even if he's motivated. An unmotivated Davis playing on a cellar dweller? Ugh.

The Clippers also lost Corey Maggette and tried to minimize all the damage by bringing in Marcus Camby and Ricky Davis. But I don't think they're a playoff team in the West with that crew.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Offseason-080804

This guy is clueless. People pay for ESPN Insider to read this type of junk? He overvalues Maggette and then devalues him in his Golden State analysis , doesn't mention anything about the Camby trade being one of the biggest steals in NBA history, and acts as if the Boom Dizzle signing was no big deal (look at the top PG's in the league and where their teams would be without them). So had Brand stayed, $65M would've been a super bargain?!?!? What about signing Buike to an offer sheet (a very good move regardless of the outcome)?

Sure, it remains to be seen how our chemistry will be and how good we can be, but the same goes for a lot of teams. Based on how we recovered from the EB fiasco alone, we deserve a high grade. Chad Ford deserves to be expelled.

[PlinkingPanda]

Let them hate. We'll prove them all wrong when we're in the Playoffs. 8) I guarantee a spot if we remain healthy(always our biggest obstacle during the season).

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I think because of our owner and our team's history is why our team doesn't get respected that much. Even in the 05-06 season when we made the playoffs no one had much real faith in us at the beginning of the season.

[cinnamon]

.
I'm just as happy for "experts" and others to dismiss the Clippers again --- I think it's pretty cool to fly along under the radar and then burst forth during the season and surprise everyone.
Does Ford forget entirely about the existence of Kaman and Thornton? Does he totally write off the major defensive contribution Camby can make?
As for chemistry, all of these guys have solid reputations in that area except Ricky D. and maybe he will see the light in this particular locker room with positive leadership from Baron.
Meanwhile, let the Chad Ford types babble.
With any luck and, as Fishy says, with the good health we surely deserve this year, Ford will be hoping everyone forgets he was spouting this nonsense, by this time next year.

.

[mkwest]

We will have more doubters because of the name on the front of the jerseys. Will we make the playoffs? Maybe, maybe not. The fact of the matter is the FO showed us that they are willing to be proactive as opposed to idly standing by and being hesitantly reactive as they were in the past. Chemistry is an obvious issue but we do have a more complete team than we've had in the past. A nice mix of youth and veterans as well as some adequate depth. Health permitting, I really like our chances to make the playoffs and turn a few heads. They had us at 13th or something like that going into the 2005-2006 season so like KG said, "anything is possible."

[mj_shoefanatic]

ESPN = BSPN

[cbs134679]

It makes sense though we lost Elton brand, without him we dont have a legitimit low post post presence we need to be playoff contenders..

[PlinkingPanda]

It makes sense though we lost Elton brand, without him we dont have a legitimit low post post presence we need to be playoff contenders..

Kaman has a fine post up game if you remember the beginning of last season. People seem to forget that. He won't be as dominate as Brand was, but he'll do his job good enough to demand a double team like last year.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Kaman is a 10 & 10 guy(EASY!) and Camby is 8 & 10 guy plus he blocks shots on a consistent basis.
Elton Benedict who?

[ClipperDomination]

Our legitimate post presence is Kaman. I'm pretty sure he did pretty damn good without Brand on the floor.

[SD2042]

It makes sense though we lost Elton brand, without him we dont have a legitimit low post post presence we need to be playoff contenders..

Kaman has a fine post up game if you remember the beginning of last season. People seem to forget that. He won't be as dominate as Brand was, but he'll do his job good enough to demand a double team like last year.

You know what happens when a player draws double teams. Someone is left open and should be ready to shoot the ball.

[JJ LoDuca]

I think Kaman will fill the low post role of that other PF we used to have just fine, especially if he has the help of an upgraded Marcus Camby-- upgraded because dude has a chip on his shoulder. And what the front line can't do... B. Diddy and the backcourt will handle.

[GuyverX]

It makes sense though we lost Elton brand, without him we dont have a legitimit low post post presence we need to be playoff contenders..

Did you just start watching the Clippers? Chris Kaman displayed better back-to-the-basket low post moves last season than Elton Brand ever had. If you mean we don't have a 20/10 guy anymore, you're right but Kaman would've finished the season 18/13 had he not gotten injured and and Marcus Camby is good for 10/10 plus elite weak side defense. It really wouldn't take a lot to make up for the scoring with Baron, Thornton and R. Davis.

[BMF Jet Jaguar]

question from hawks/wolves/mavs fan-

do you think you guys would be BETTER with mags right now instead of ricky davis, even if it might hinder Thortons development?

[ClipperDomination]

Maggette was more of a cancer to the team, sorry to say so. Thornton is a more complete player, with much better defense and a much better shot selection. By letting Maggs go, Thornton will now start at the 3, with RD playing a backup 2/3.

[GuyverX]

Of course the team would be better with Maggette over Ricky Davis...but then we wouldn't have a starting PF. Maggette is better than Ricky Davis but he's getting paid an average of $10 mil a year while Ricky Davis is getting an average $2.4 mil. Is Maggette $7.6 million dollars a year better than Davis? No way.

Considering Baron is getting $65 mil, Maggette is just not worth it. He would've been the perfect sixth man had he bought into the role Dunleavy wanted him to fill here but that didn't work out. And with what Golden State paid him, I'm glad we passed.\

At the very least, I see Thornton being everying Maggette is at the peak of his career. He has the potential to be a lot better though, IMHO.

[mkwest]

I have been a Maggette fan over the years and I like him better as a player than Ricky D. However, I am thrilled that Thornton will be able to get the majority of the minutes at his natural position this season. If Maggette was still with the team, he'd be looking to start, play for 30+ mins, get enough shots to get his 20 and I have no idea who we'd have at PF. Davis will be a decent backup at the swing positions as CD previously mentioned, and comes in at a much cheaper price tag. The writing was on the wall when Al was drafted that he was Maggette's replacement. Maggette is a better player at the moment, but as long as Al continues to improve on his weaknesses then he'll end up surpassing Maggette's peak imo.