Re: Russ is Back
Posted: Sun Jul 2, 2023 7:45 pm
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Like I posted in the general board, this was a "forced" hometown discount. I say forced in quotations because he wants to be in LA, but it's also real because there was no larger contract he could sign with the Clippers.wakelaunch1 wrote:Clemenza wrote:wakelaunch1 wrote:
Well I was wrong, I thought a few more teams would jump at the opportunity to sign him. If I was Washington, or Chicago, i would have pulled the trigger for 10-12 million per season. But having him for 4 million per season is a great deal, and if something happens is an affordable cut bait signing. But I think he will be an amazing leader, energy guy the next couple of years and the rest of the players on the team love him. He can also opt out next year if he doesnt like the situation. Russ/Harden would be fun again as a unit. They were great together in OKC. They only lost to one of the best teams of all time in the Heat.
Maybe Chicago was the only other team interested but DC is going in another direction. All the point guard positions are pretty much filled plus teams want to develop and play the next generation. Glad Russ is back. Wish we had more money for him. Still need to move Morris and either Norm, Coffey, or RoCo. Need less of a log jam at wings this year and with Russ back I don't see the need to go after Harden
I dont feel bad for him 4 million dollars and living in LA. I could only dream. Yes, we need to move a few players but I dont think that many teams are interested in our overpaid mediocre front line.
After Leonard’s unexpected injury, Westbrook, despite being the shortest-tenured Clipper, emerged as the true leader. He made up for his abysmal shooting in game one with a scoring showdown in the next three games: he logged 28, 30 and 37 points consecutively.
Moreover, Westbrook flipped the switch once the postseason turned the corner. Despite losing in five games to Phoenix, the two-time scoring champion posted 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. He also shot 41.0% from the field, 35.7% from three, and 88.0% from the line.
With the team’s two superstars sidelined, Westbrook and the Clippers did come up short in five games against the Suns. But even in a short-lived run, it didn’t take long for the nine-time All-Star to win the hearts of Clippers’ fans.
esqtvd wrote:It wouldn't be unfair to say this is Russ's team now. PG made a stab at it, but Kawhi does what's best for Kawhi. And they're both signed only for this year. Ty too.
Signing for TWO years for the veterans' MINIMUM, Russ has the most skin in the Clippers' game now. At 35 years old in November, this is his last rodeo.
LA Clippers in review: The beating heart of LA, Russell Westbrook
https://clipperholics.com/2023/07/03/la-clippers-review-beating-heart-la-russell-westbrook/After Leonard’s unexpected injury, Westbrook, despite being the shortest-tenured Clipper, emerged as the true leader. He made up for his abysmal shooting in game one with a scoring showdown in the next three games: he logged 28, 30 and 37 points consecutively.
Moreover, Westbrook flipped the switch once the postseason turned the corner. Despite losing in five games to Phoenix, the two-time scoring champion posted 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. He also shot 41.0% from the field, 35.7% from three, and 88.0% from the line.
With the team’s two superstars sidelined, Westbrook and the Clippers did come up short in five games against the Suns. But even in a short-lived run, it didn’t take long for the nine-time All-Star to win the hearts of Clippers’ fans.
KL and PG aren't very vocal, but Russ is, and now he has the right to call out anyone and everyone.
esqtvd wrote:It wouldn't be unfair to say this is Russ's team now. PG made a stab at it, but Kawhi does what's best for Kawhi. And they're both signed only for this year. Ty too.
Signing for TWO years for the veterans' MINIMUM, Russ has the most skin in the Clippers' game now. At 35 years old in November, this is his last rodeo.
LA Clippers in review: The beating heart of LA, Russell Westbrook
https://clipperholics.com/2023/07/03/la-clippers-review-beating-heart-la-russell-westbrook/After Leonard’s unexpected injury, Westbrook, despite being the shortest-tenured Clipper, emerged as the true leader. He made up for his abysmal shooting in game one with a scoring showdown in the next three games: he logged 28, 30 and 37 points consecutively.
Moreover, Westbrook flipped the switch once the postseason turned the corner. Despite losing in five games to Phoenix, the two-time scoring champion posted 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. He also shot 41.0% from the field, 35.7% from three, and 88.0% from the line.
With the team’s two superstars sidelined, Westbrook and the Clippers did come up short in five games against the Suns. But even in a short-lived run, it didn’t take long for the nine-time All-Star to win the hearts of Clippers’ fans.
KL and PG aren't very vocal, but Russ is, and now he has the right to call out anyone and everyone.
wakelaunch1 wrote:Clemenza wrote:wakelaunch1 wrote:
Well I was wrong, I thought a few more teams would jump at the opportunity to sign him. If I was Washington, or Chicago, i would have pulled the trigger for 10-12 million per season. But having him for 4 million per season is a great deal, and if something happens is an affordable cut bait signing. But I think he will be an amazing leader, energy guy the next couple of years and the rest of the players on the team love him. He can also opt out next year if he doesnt like the situation. Russ/Harden would be fun again as a unit. They were great together in OKC. They only lost to one of the best teams of all time in the Heat.
Maybe Chicago was the only other team interested but DC is going in another direction. All the point guard positions are pretty much filled plus teams want to develop and play the next generation. Glad Russ is back. Wish we had more money for him. Still need to move Morris and either Norm, Coffey, or RoCo. Need less of a log jam at wings this year and with Russ back I don't see the need to go after Harden
I dont feel bad for him 4 million dollars and living in LA. I could only dream. Yes, we need to move a few players but I dont think that many teams are interested in our overpaid mediocre front line.
Clemenza wrote:wakelaunch1 wrote:Clemenza wrote:Maybe Chicago was the only other team interested but DC is going in another direction. All the point guard positions are pretty much filled plus teams want to develop and play the next generation. Glad Russ is back. Wish we had more money for him. Still need to move Morris and either Norm, Coffey, or RoCo. Need less of a log jam at wings this year and with Russ back I don't see the need to go after Harden
I dont feel bad for him 4 million dollars and living in LA. I could only dream. Yes, we need to move a few players but I dont think that many teams are interested in our overpaid mediocre front line.
Low key and behind closed doors I think Ballmer will do some business with Russ down the line if he hasn't already. From what I hear he's got several car dealerships in LA and just started a digital advertising company called RWE, the "E" for enterprises. We didn't hear Russ complaining or any haggling over a few extra millions or anything like that during free agency. The signing was quick and easy. Plumlee was the one holding out for more money for example. There's some handshake extra incentives going on for Russ which is a good thing.
clipperlover wrote:Every move they make is going to have 1 goal in mind: Hanging the first NBA Championship banner in Clippers franchise history when the Intuit Dome opens.
Won't matter who is on the roster when the stadium opens if they open by hanging a banner.
Would be quite sweet to have the 1st banner in franchise history hung in L.A.'s newest arena with the key players to that title having ties to the L.A./SoCal area.
Vae Victus wrote:I still want the Clips to go hard for Harden. Use the expirings of Morris, RoCo, and Batum, and fork over at most 2 future protected FRPs (at min 1-6 prot, pref full lotto).
C - Zubac (24), Plumlee (24), Diabate
PF- Kawhi (30), KJM (18), Diabate
SF- PG13 (30), Mann (18), Coffey
SG- Harden (20), Powell (28), Boston Jr
PG- Westy (26), Harden (10), Bones (12), Preston
This lineup assume Westy is hellbent on starting, then we stagger Harden as the primary PG when Westy sits. No one should be playing more than 30 mins as the team is deep as all hell. Also will make it easy to load manage 1 player at any time as the team is deep enough to let backups get more PT as mins get juggled.
og15 wrote:Vae Victus wrote:I still want the Clips to go hard for Harden. Use the expirings of Morris, RoCo, and Batum, and fork over at most 2 future protected FRPs (at min 1-6 prot, pref full lotto).
C - Zubac (24), Plumlee (24), Diabate
PF- Kawhi (30), KJM (18), Diabate
SF- PG13 (30), Mann (18), Coffey
SG- Harden (20), Powell (28), Boston Jr
PG- Westy (26), Harden (10), Bones (12), Preston
This lineup assume Westy is hellbent on starting, then we stagger Harden as the primary PG when Westy sits. No one should be playing more than 30 mins as the team is deep as all hell. Also will make it easy to load manage 1 player at any time as the team is deep enough to let backups get more PT as mins get juggled.
If I'm Philly GM, why am I even making this trade though? Let's just think of it from the perspective of if it was the Clippers who had Harden and a team offered that, what in the world would make me want to take that?
Not even including Mann or any young player, just forwards that the Clippers basically won't need and the Sixers themselves won't need. It's a really sad offer, let's be real here![]()
og15 wrote:Vae Victus wrote:I still want the Clips to go hard for Harden. Use the expirings of Morris, RoCo, and Batum, and fork over at most 2 future protected FRPs (at min 1-6 prot, pref full lotto).
C - Zubac (24), Plumlee (24), Diabate
PF- Kawhi (30), KJM (18), Diabate
SF- PG13 (30), Mann (18), Coffey
SG- Harden (20), Powell (28), Boston Jr
PG- Westy (26), Harden (10), Bones (12), Preston
This lineup assume Westy is hellbent on starting, then we stagger Harden as the primary PG when Westy sits. No one should be playing more than 30 mins as the team is deep as all hell. Also will make it easy to load manage 1 player at any time as the team is deep enough to let backups get more PT as mins get juggled.
If I'm Philly GM, why am I even making this trade though? Let's just think of it from the perspective of if it was the Clippers who had Harden and a team offered that, what in the world would make me want to take that?
Not even including Mann or any young player, just forwards that the Clippers basically won't need and the Sixers themselves won't need. It's a really sad offer, let's be real here![]()
'Because we’ve never had a leader and he’s our leader.’
esqtvd wrote:'Because we’ve never had a leader and he’s our leader.’
Good News For LA Clippers Fans? | Head Coach Tyronn Lue Sets A New Path For Russell Westbrook As Official “Leader” Of The ClippersWhile Russ isn’t the player he once was, he’s still very good, and that’s not much money, but Arenas says Lue explained why he still signed.
“He said, ‘We gave him everything we had. He didn’t wanna go nowhere. And we are glad he didn’t. Because we’ve never had a leader and he’s our leader.’
“Think about the perception around Westbrook, and Tyronn Lue said we finally have a leader on our team to push us forward.”
https://theshadowleague.com/he-is-our-leader-los-angeles-clippers-head-coach-tyronn-lue-raves-about-russell-westbrook-during-interview-with-gilbert-arenas/
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ADD: good podcast about this
Clemenza wrote:esqtvd wrote:'Because we’ve never had a leader and he’s our leader.’
Good News For LA Clippers Fans? | Head Coach Tyronn Lue Sets A New Path For Russell Westbrook As Official “Leader” Of The ClippersWhile Russ isn’t the player he once was, he’s still very good, and that’s not much money, but Arenas says Lue explained why he still signed.
“He said, ‘We gave him everything we had. He didn’t wanna go nowhere. And we are glad he didn’t. Because we’ve never had a leader and he’s our leader.’
“Think about the perception around Westbrook, and Tyronn Lue said we finally have a leader on our team to push us forward.”
https://theshadowleague.com/he-is-our-leader-los-angeles-clippers-head-coach-tyronn-lue-raves-about-russell-westbrook-during-interview-with-gilbert-arenas/
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ADD: good podcast about this
We all know Russ is the leader now but still these "we finally have a leader on our team now" comments is not a good look for Kawhi & PG