Coach Dunleavy Q&A

[mkwest]

What does Baron Davis bring to the team and how will it affect the Clippers' style of play
Mike Dunleavy: Baron is bigger and stronger then most, yet can get where ever he wants on the court. He plays an all around game. He excels in open court and half-court play. I think with our ability to defend and rebound he will get plenty of open court opportunities.

In the Western Conference, there are so many great point guards. We now have one of them. I look at him as being a power forward in a point guard’s body. He can take the ball coast-to-coast, shoot the three and post up. There is virtually nothing he can’t do on the floor.

What do you think of the US Men's Basketball team and will the Clippers play a similar style of game this season?

I love the way USA is played. They had such great depth that they were able to extend their defense for long stretches and put pressure on the ball handler almost the whole game.
I don't think we can play that way the whole game but I hope to be able to do it in stretches.

I think we can play both ways. We have a strong half-court game, but I expect us to be able to run more because we’ve added three-point shooting to our team. We added a point guard in Baron Davis who can get to the rim against basically anybody.

From a chemistry standpoint I think the pieces we have fit very well. I’d like to play up tempo. For the first time since I’ve been here in Los Angeles we may have a chance to develop a pressing team. We have some major shot blocking, some good quickness up on the ball that we can defend with. I think that’s important.

What will Clippers fans see from rookies Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan?

I’ve never had a fear of playing rookies. For example, Al Thornton had a great year for us last season. He’s everything we thought he was. He’s a great physical specimen, he has talent, can shoot the three and rebound. He has the ability to be a 20-point per game scorer in this league.

Eric Gordon is an excellent long-range shooter. He proved himself at Indiana with his NBA three-point range. He has a great ability to get to the boards and get to the rim, finish and get fouled and I think he’s going to be a very good defender in our league as well.

I think Eric Gordon will be in the rotation from day one. I think DeAndre Jordan play will depending on how quickly he picks things up.

Full Interview @ Clippers.com

[JJ LoDuca]

I've always been relatively pro-Dunleavy compared to most Clips fans, and I think that even some of the most critical fans are starting to think that maybe, just maybe...Dun is gonna get this coaching thing right this season.

[illastrate]

Why is the interviewer even asking whether Ricky D. or Al Thornton will start at SF?!? Is there any doubt that Big Al will, it's not even close.

[GuyverX]

Why is the interviewer even asking whether Ricky D. or Al Thornton will start at SF?!? Is there any doubt that Big Al will, it's not even close.

It's a little weird that Duneleavy didn't just tell him straight up that Thornton is starting though. I suppose he doesn't want to piss off Ricky Davis before the season even starts.

[JJ LoDuca]

I suppose he doesn't want to piss off Ricky Davis before the season even starts.

See, signs of coaching improvement already...

[TheNewEra]

I suppose he doesn't want to piss off Ricky Davis before the season even starts.

See, signs of coaching improvement already...

Great Interview by MD

The ansewer at SF I believe was to keep things competive all season. At this point the job is Thortons. This also lights a fire under Thorton with Ricky behind him in the same regards Tim Thomas is becasue of S. Novak. MD did boost up AL's rep a little calling him a potential 20-ppg player sounds like a starter in my book.

Also one of my personal big concerns was the same as many "Can Dunleavy and Baron styles work"? From the interview I don't have to worry MD seems willing to compromise as long as he gets a strong defensive effort. Which is highly understandable, the one thing we learned last season Offnese wins games, but Defense wins championships.

Futhermore I like the idea we will still be a defensive team first but we have far more options with the new players we have so up-tempo is a option. We are going to kick @$$ this season.

[mkwest]

Welcome New Era

I think that as long as we're winning then certain players may feel more comfortable coming off the bench than if we were struggling. At this point, I think it's Thornton's job to lose. He's the guy that is part of the long term plan so they've got to help him progress and improve his game for the long haul. I have no problem with Dunleavy trying to motivate players to step up their game if they want to start or receive more playing time. It should keep everybody on their toes.

[TheNewEra]

Welcome New Era

I think that as long as we're winning then certain players may feel more comfortable coming off the bench than if we were struggling. At this point, I think it's Thornton's job to lose. He's the guy that is part of the long term plan so they've got to help him progress and improve his game for the long haul. I have no problem with Dunleavy trying to motivate players to step up their game if they want to start or receive more playing time. It should keep everybody on their toes.

Thanks Glad to be here.

I'm looking forward to the Clipper Preseason, we should see some play from the rookies and 10-12 bench rotation players. We should really play our starters light if we play them at all, last thing we need is one of our players to join the list of injuries before the season starts.

[mkwest]

Thanks Glad to be here.

I'm looking forward to the Clipper Preseason, we should see some play from the rookies and 10-12 bench rotation players. We should really play our starters light if we play them at all, last thing we need is one of our players to join the list of injuries before the season starts.

I have the same concern regarding our health as well. The thing is we also need to build chemistry, and the guys need to get acclimated to Baron's offense. Kaman & Camby will also need to get a feel of each other's game so that it all gels when it counts.

On a side note, Dunleavy has been able to oversee some of the players this summer during the scrimmages at UCLA. Thornton and Ricky Davis have played against each other and Gordon, Jordan, & Taylor have dropped in as well.

[La_fan1]

I’ve never had a fear of playing rookies. For example, Al Thornton had a great year for us last season. He’s everything we thought he was.

Whatever! Most forget that if it weren't for the constant injuries to the ball club, Dunleavy would've hardly played Thornton. Coach ended up having to play Al b/c there was no one else too play. If Dunleavy played Thornton early on in the season, Al Thornton was sure too play in the All-Star Rookie Challenge. (I'm still sorta bitter about that)

[mkwest]

I’ve never had a fear of playing rookies. For example, Al Thornton had a great year for us last season. He’s everything we thought he was.

Whatever! Most forget that if it weren't for the constant injuries to the ball club, Dunleavy would've hardly played Thornton. Coach ended up having to play Al b/c there was no one else too play. If Dunleavy played Thornton early on in the season, Al Thornton was sure too play in the All-Star Rookie Challenge. (I'm still sorta bitter about that)

I was pissed that Al missed the rookie challenge as well and even Rookie of the Month in February, but I am pleased that he finished on the All-Rookie First team. He'll represent on the Sophomores next season.

I do agree with Dunleavy having an unfavorable track record with rookies. Al's minute were inconsistent at the beginning of last year, and he didn't really get the go ahead until after Patterson was waived. Gordon can expect the same while battling even more competition on the wings. He'll have to play hard on defense and Knock down his shots if he wants minutes right out the gate.

[ClipperDomination]

I've always been relatively pro-Dunleavy compared to most Clips fans, and I think that even some of the most critical fans are starting to think that maybe, just maybe...Dun is gonna get this coaching thing right this season.

You got that right.

I like how Dunleavy doesn't imply anything about not running an up-tempo style of game---he states that they are going to run and shoot threes at times without any hesitation, something that I may not have believed Dunleavy would do before.

As the season gets closer and closer, I can't wait for the 08-09 Cipps to debut!

[illastrate]

I've always been relatively pro-Dunleavy compared to most Clips fans, and I think that even some of the most critical fans are starting to think that maybe, just maybe...Dun is gonna get this coaching thing right this season.

You got that right.

I like how Dunleavy doesn't imply anything about not running an up-tempo style of game---he states that they are going to run and shoot threes at times without any hesitation, something that I may not have believed Dunleavy would do before.

As the season gets closer and closer, I can't wait for the 08-09 Cipps to debut!

Dun's never had the personnel for a run-n-gun offense with the Clippers until now. It would be idiotic for him to NOT run. There really is no excuse this season, both the first and second units are equipped to run.