Team meeting ushers in new era of self-respect for Clips

Post #1 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:01 pm

LOS ANGELES -- The team meeting took place on the bus the afternoon of Dec. 16, after the Clippers returned to the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich., from practice at nearby Oakland University. Coaches and staffers exited, players stayed on, decisions were made.

Among others, it was decreed right there, parked near the entrance of the building, that Blake Griffin would be protected. There would be other conclusions along the same lines of sticking together and not being dragged under by a 5-21 record. But the Griffin issue had already become pressing for some teammates. Opponents, looking for ways to get the rookie phenom out of his game, were getting increasingly rough.

And no one had to be reminded of Andre Miller blasting Griffin in the back 11 days earlier in retaliation of what Miller viewed as Griffin's excessive contact without a foul call.

Miller got a one-game suspension and the Clippers got fed up.

The tactics from other teams continued, they believed, and so when Lamar Odom took exception Sunday with Griffin's hard play under the basket late in the game and took a long tug on Griffin's jersey, Baron Davis jumped in and Video a brief scuffle ensued.

For more click on the link
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/s ... ef:nbahpt1

Leor_77 · Post #2 » by **Leor_77** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:23 pm

"And if we have to get in a brawl, there's a brawl."

That's the only thing from the article that I'm not crazy about. I think it was from B Diddy. I'm all for standing up for Blake and protecting him, but you don't want to do anything stupid.

TheNewEra · Post #3 » by **TheNewEra** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:53 pm

Brawl vs Blazers would be nice

supfoo · Post #4 » by **supfoo** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:38 pm

Leor_77 wrote:"And if we have to get in a brawl, there's a brawl."

That's the only thing from the article that I'm not crazy about. I think it was from B Diddy. I'm all for standing up for Blake and protecting him, but you don't want to do anything stupid.

it was actually from craig smith. in context of the whole quote, it seems like he's using the word "brawl" as in a typical scuffle you would see following a hard foul. i understand his sentiment but yeah, brawl is probably not the most appropriate word in that situation. ever since the pacers/pistons and knicks/nuggets incidents, that word has taken on a whole different meaning in the media.

still, i like what the rest of the team is doing. there's nothing wrong with sticking up for your teammates if he's getting hit with unnecessary cheapshots on a consistent basis. the unfortunate thing is that someone's probably going to get suspended off this team sooner or later when another opposing player crosses the line again.

SportsFan215 · Post #5 » by **SportsFan215** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:56 pm

TheNewEra wrote:Brawl vs Blazers would be nice

Go after their knees :wink:

JK.

mattfish · Post #6 » by **mattfish** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:17 am

Yeah, "Brawl" is probably not the best word to use after the Malice at the Palace. Whatever though, I'm glad we're playing with a chip on our shoulder and getting that Sam Cassell swagger back.

SportsFan215 wrote:
TheNewEra wrote:Brawl vs Blazers would be nice

Go after their knees JK.

LOL what knees? They're all busted.

playaloc916 · Post #7 » by **playaloc916** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:24 am

Lol at Craig Smith and a brawl. Him being from Inglewood and built like a tank, he seems like someone who's been in plenty of those in his younger days.

But I definitely like this new chip on the shoulder attitude.

DunknDave · Post #8 » by **DunknDave** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:51 am

I'm just so glad that these guys are getting it together for this whole organization. Part of the reason why we continued to be the laughingstock is because we just took it. Well, no more, like Blake said, Nobody's going to Punk us". Can you believe this-----the Clippers?-----acting like we want to compete, acting like we want respect, acting like we want and expect to win games!!!! The foundation has been laid, and the ride has just begun, look out NBA here come the Clippers!!!!!

Post #9 » by **mkwest** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:58 am

I don't like the cheap shots that Griffin has been getting, but I do understand them in a way. I used to get mad when an opposing player outclassed my team and me too. I wish that we had a designated enforcer that wasn't necessarily as important to the team's success, but I'm so glad that the guys are standing up for themselves and each other. If the opposing teams are getting mad, we're doing something right.

The Clippers may seem a little short-fused to opposing teams' fans, but having to deal with hard fouls and cheap shots is a daily occurrence. We don't need play with these teams, we need to let them know that the roughhousing isn't going to fly.

PerkinsFor3 · Post #10 » by **PerkinsFor3** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:15 am

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/s ... ef:nbahpt1

We're heading the right way. Loved to read this. Griffin must feel good to see a meeting called like this and hearing guys like Diogu and Rhino have his back.

Among others, it was decreed right there, parked near the entrance of the building, that Blake Griffin would be protected. There would be other conclusions along the same lines of sticking together and not being dragged under by a 5-21 record. But the Griffin issue had already become pressing for some teammates. Opponents, looking for ways to get the rookie phenom out of his game, were getting increasingly rough.[\quote]

"Just as far as having each other's back, but knowing, hey, it's a target on him especially and we've got to be ready for it," said veteran Craig Smith, out now with a herniated disc but normally a physical presence as a 265-pound forward.

"And if we have to get in a brawl, there's a brawl. It's a grown-man's league, and sometimes it happens. I don't like for it to happen like that, but it's a very emotional game. He might not like how somebody grabs him and might get up fast. It happens. It's part of the game. I wish it was like hockey, where we could put boards all around, if guys want to go at it. But I think they don't want to go at it with him like that, one-on-one.
"I think it started in the Portland game, with Andre Miller. I told [Griffin], 'You've got to protect yourself out there, first and foremost. But at the same time, as a group, we have your back.' They tried to get in his head. I told him, 'Don't let it frustrate you. Just take it to another level. Use that anger out there on the floor versus going at them at attacking 'em.' "

How can you not love Rhino?? Btw... Can we agree that Ike is a perfect replacement of Rhino so far?

Leor_77 · Post #11 » by **Leor_77** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:59 am

mattfish wrote:
SportsFan215 wrote:
TheNewEra wrote:Brawl vs Blazers would be nice

Go after their knees JK.

LOL what knees? They're all busted.

Beat me to it...

We'll find someone with a good one!

PerkinsFor3 · Post #12 » by **PerkinsFor3** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:40 am

mkwest wrote: I wish that we had a designated enforcer that wasn't necessarily as important to the team's success, but I'm so glad that the guys are standing up for themselves and each other.

Craig Smith?

PlinkingPanda · Post #13 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:53 pm

loot wrote:
mkwest wrote: I wish that we had a designated enforcer that wasn't necessarily as important to the team's success, but I'm so glad that the guys are standing up for themselves and each other.

Craig Smith?

I think most players would crap their shorts if they saw Rhino charging right at them. They'd pedal back faster than Melo when he put that cheap shot on Mardy Collins.

Post #14 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:38 pm

I do like that the team has come together and that they have each other's back. I was also thinking that Craig Smith can be an enforcer, I hope he comes back for us soon.