Chances Baron turns it around?

[scratch21]

I mean what do u guys think of next year? This is assuming he stays. Does he come back better and work is tail off this summer to get in shape? Or do u think he will dog it again this year? I mean seeing him play these past few games he can barely run or jump. What u think will happen???

[PlinkingPanda]

Well he has been playing better in the 2nd half compared to the 1st. The 1st was just fugly as hell, but after all star break he's shown some signs of playing good. I don't want to get high hopes for next year and get crushed again though. I bet injuries will be the same excuse for us crapping it up if we do suck again.

I'll just say he does better next year compared to this year. How much better is the real question, cause I don't think he can sink any lower.

[JJ LoDuca]

I think Baron will be back next season, and I think he'll be better. Like Fishy said, exactly how much better I won't say, but this is pretty much rock bottom for him and the only way to go is up! He keeps on talking to the media about "wait until next year..." and I truly think he's just as frustrated with his play this season as we are. I definitely expect a better effort from our starting PG next year.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

One factor that will help him play better is Baron having fun as Ralph and Mike said the other night. If he's having fun and if he's motivated he might go back to playing at an all star level. But as a few of you have said already who knows how much better he will be. I would just like for this team to get into the playoffs next season. (I say that every season)

[mkwest]

It cannot get much worse with Baron. It really was a snowball effect for him coming into this season. Things didn't exactly go the way he envisioned in the offseason and it carried over into his desire/effort (or lack thereof) to play at a high level. The injuries he and the entire team has suffered through, chemistry issues, his clashing with Dunleavy, etc. all just made matters worse. We were already out of the playoff hunt completely after the first 10-15 games, so he and some of these other guys had little to play for (that includes pride) as the season progressed.

I want him to turn it around and hope that he can make his stay here productive. A clean slate will help at the start of next season, but he has to turn up his volume and play loud from the get go. True as they may be, the excuses get old.

[scratch21]

I think he will be the same as this year.
I mean hes not a real playmaker he relies on his athleticism to exel and he doenst have that anymore.
Im hoping for the best but i doubt were gonna see the Baron of GS.

[mj_shoefanatic]

We get a new coach we get a new Baron for 09/10

[StutterStep]

Unless Baron commits to losing weight and listening to the coach, he'll be just as bad or worse.

Dump him, Kaman, and possibly Thornton this summer. You have enough scoring. Improve your defense. Draft a PG who likes to pass with a decent shot.

[Det the Threat]

1) We'll need another head coach, cause Dunleavy and Baron just doesn't works.

2) We'll need to tell him that his contract is only guaranteed till 2010 and that there's a team option next summer. If he buys it, we'll see a new and improved Baron Davis, that plays nearly every game and leads us to the playoffs.

U
Dump him, Kaman, and possibly Thornton this summer. You have enough scoring. Improve your defense. Draft a PG who likes to pass with a decent shot.

Given the things we've heard, it's pretty save to assume that Kaman will be gone this summer, if there's a solid offer out there.
I also wouldn't mind dumping Baron, but i doubt that he'll net us anything usefull and therefore he'll first needs to show, that he's still able to play at a high level.

BTW: Which point guard are you talking about?
Rubio might fit that bill, but his jumper is still very shaky and it's not even clear if he'll be in this years draft. And the rest of those point guards, to me, aren't worth a top 5 pick.

[madmaxmedia]

I would only trade him if there was a worthwile draft pick at where we're picking. Otherwise his trade value is lower than his worth to us on the floor. I don't think it's worth trading him in a salary dump move, because we're not chasing any big FA's anyway.

I will even give the Dunleavy/Baron combo a shot, if they spend some time in the offseason and really think things through (especially Dunleavy.)

The most important things for this team in the offseason are going to be A) can we make a good draft pic, and B) what we can get for Kaman. If we can somehow get another player at the caliber of Eric Gordon, we will have a lot of pieces going into next year.

If we can't get good value from Kaman, then we might as well keep him too and see how things play out next year with a healthier team. Then figure out 1 or 2 potential trades after the season starts, to try to make a better fit teamwise.

[StutterStep]

Given the things we've heard, it's pretty save to assume that Kaman will be gone this summer, if there's a solid offer out there.
I also wouldn't mind dumping Baron, but i doubt that he'll net us anything usefull and therefore he'll first needs to show, that he's still able to play at a high level.

BTW: Which point guard are you talking about?
Rubio might fit that bill, but his jumper is still very shaky and it's not even clear if he'll be in this years draft. And the rest of those point guards, to me, aren't worth a top 5 pick.

I haven't followed the NCAA much this year and know very little about European prospects, but contrary to popular belief you can get a functional PG every year in the draft. LAC's scouts need to do their research / work.

As for Baron, you can dump him by being very creative. Determine your position of need such as SF and backup PF. Find a team with unmet expectations like Philly, Toronto, GSW, etc...and be willing to take back 2 players with salaries that equal Baron (Turiaf/Crawford; Kapono/Banks; EvansMiller (re-signed), etc...)... If you get Miller then you draft a SF, etc...

Kaman -- if the Bulls don't get Bosh/Amare, send him on the cheap as they would love to dump Hinrich and Miller is an expiring...Deng is tricky, etc...

[bbsee1]

Remember, BD didn't have a good first year with golden state. It wasn't until his 2nd full season and having Don Nelson as coach that BD played like an all-star. I think he has to get better, I mean he's gonna have a lot of pressure on him by the organization, the fans, and the media, especially the fact that he is playing in his hometown.

BD just needs to stop taking bad shots and I think he will be fine. His shooting % is ****, but he does handle the ball real well. There hasn't been a clippers point guard to average at least 8 assist per game sine Mark Jackson and his assist to turnover ratio is pretty good. I know his defense is **** too but at least he gets steals. Bottom line is many teams would kill to have a point guard like BD. Yes, much of this crappy season is due partly because of BD's **** shot selection and defense but there are other problems with this team (Al Thornton's inconsistency and bad defense, Dunleavy's coaching, Kaman always getting injured, etc.)

[cinnamon]

I'm with shoe and Det on this one --- if Baron is playing for Dunleavy next year, he will continue to disappoint.
If he has a new coach who can connect with him and who knows how to use his abilities, then he could be a rejuvenited, exciting Baron to have on the team.

[jflipclip]

It's kinda simple, Baron doesn't fit in the half-court system. Actually, I don't even know what our system is, since Dunleavy sometimes uses a half-assed run and gun system. Either way, we need to identify what kinda team we should be. Clippers have a good variety of players that can fit into either system. Personally, I think Randolph benefits in a half-court system. Therefore, the chances Baron turns it around? Hmm... I'll say 20%.

I'd still love to keep him. He can be a Cassell type of player if he actually makes those buckets, but unfortunately he ain't clickin'.