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One of the first things out of Del Negro's mouth is that Baron isn't in the shape he wants to see.

Eric Pincus via Twitter

Out-of-shape Davis is Clippers’ only real concern

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Coach Vinny Del Negro says Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis(notes) has reported to training camp out of shape.

And that’s just about the only complaint anyone with the Clippers could muster Monday before beginning a season of uncommon optimism for this longtime losing team.

Blake Griffin(notes) is in perfect condition, and he’s raring for a reboot of his rookie season. The No. 1 draft pick missed all of last season after injuring his left kneecap during the preseason.

Del Negro lightly criticized Davis for not being in ideal shape to run the aggressive, uptempo offense he envisions for his first team in Los Angeles.

But Davis has plenty of time to get ready before the Clippers begin the season under new management and direction.

AP/Yahoo!

Blake Griffin is in perfect health in return to Los Angeles Clippers

"It's definitely a better vibe than we've ever had," said Gordon, who feels no exhaustion from his lengthy run with the U.S. team to the world championship. "We've got a lot of high-character guys who are also really talented. We've had talent before and haven't really been able to get it together, but I think this coaching staff can do it."

"Baron isn't in the shape that he needs to be to reach the standard that we've set here, but he knows that," Del Negro said. "He's put in a lot of work in the last month or so, but he started later than maybe needs to. Overall, I'm pleased with it, but he's not where we need to be."

"You don't understand what it was like for him sitting out," said Kaman, who has been working out in Playa Vista nearly nonstop since July 17. "This guy's work ethic -- the only other guy who works like that is Elton Brand. They had to tell [Griffin] to slow it down, or he would have run himself into the ground.

"I've tried to tell him that he doesn't need to worry about all the pressure. I want to take some of that off him, and I think we have a good chance to be one of the best 4-5 combos in the league."

Gomes, the hardworking forward who has played in Boston and Minnesota, has been impressed by his new franchise's foundation.

"A lot of the teams that I've been on, we've been regrouping every year," Gomes said. "It doesn't feel like that here, even though it's a new coach, new GM. I think there's a lot of stability. We have a lot of upside on this roster, and this is only the beginning."

AP/ESPN

Weighty issues: Baron Davis could be in better shape

New Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro wasn’t even five minutes into his first session with reporters when he expressed concern about the shape of veteran point guard Baron Davis.

So, how far off is Davis?

“Percentage-wise, I’d be guessing,” Del Negro said. “He’s put in a lot of work in the last month or so. He started a little bit later probably than he needed to. He’s in pretty good shape right now, but he’s not where he needs to be. He knows that.

“Obviously, you want everybody in perfect condition. You have to come in training camp in shape. And the job in training camp is to get into better shape.”

None of this was said in a harsh tone. Not at all.

But it is interesting the Clippers weren’t sugar-coating the situation. In fact, Del Negro and front-office executives told Davis exactly what they were going to say to the media.

Lisa Dillman, The Fabulous Forum/LA Times

Clippers Media Day 2010

You've no doubt already seen the comments from Vinny Del Negro that Baron is not in shape, or at least not in as good a shape as they want him to be. "Baron isn't in the shape that he needs to be to reach the standard that we've set here, but he knows that." Here's what's most interesting to me about that answer - no one asked the question. VDN offered it up himself. He also then began putting some caveats on the statement: "He's put in a lot of work in the last month or so, but he started later than maybe needs to. Overall, I'm pleased with it, but he's not where we need to be." I'm pleased, but I'm not pleased.

When asked that question, Olshey used a word to describe Gordon's first two seasons in LA that we've used frequently around here as well: deferential. EJ will sometimes, one might even say oftentimes, defer to teammates on the court. The fact that he's a team-oriented player is not a bad thing, but the next step is realizing that there are times when the best thing for the team is for him to take over. The moment when Coach Krzyzewski explained to him that all of his Team USA teammates want him to take shots may be a turning point in EJs ongoing development. As you might imagine, Gordon was a major attraction at Media Day today - which in and of itself tells you something about his increased visibility on the team.

Steve Perrin, Clips Nation

Davis remains key to the Clippers

For starters, concessions are being made for Davis' playing style. After he trudged unhappily through Dunleavy's half-court system, Davis' eyes grew like saucers while discussing the prospect of getting out and running.

"It's a challenge to me, to increase my speed and be a catalyst out there on the defensive end," he said. "Picking up the ball and pushing the ball on the break. When you've got guys, [Chris] Kaman, that can come down on the break and shoot the ball. You've got Blake [Griffin] and [Ryan] Gomes and Eric Gordon that can get out on the break and finish; that kind of makes my job easy.

"I just want to be able to be in the position where I can be a menace out there on the floor, as far as seeing the court and attacking the defense that's standing in the lane and get these guys easy shots."

Davis also expressed happiness about his relationship with his new coach. There appears to be more common ground in the vision of Davis' role, so as to play to his strengths.

"What Coach has done with me is he's been in constant communication, as far as telling me what he sees for me in my future," Davis said. "I think that he believes in me a whole lot. That kind of pushes and drives me to want to become better and better, because he's played in the league and he's played around a lot of great players that are Hall of Famers. He continues to tell me that he wants to push me to be an All-Star level and to be one of the dominant players in this league.

"For me, I'm all ears and I'm all work, and I just want my work and the product of what we put on the court to be judged by it."

Andrew Kamenetzky, ESPN Los Angeles

Allocation Rule Change Strengthens NBA, D-League Affiliate Bond

In accordance with the NBA, the NBA Development League will implement a rule change with regard to how D-League rosters are assembled. Beginning this season, up to three players cut last from the roster of an NBA team before the D-League Draft will be allocated to that team's D-League affiliate provided they sign the standard D-League contract.

This rule replaces the previous allocation rule, where players of local significance would be allocated to D-League teams, a rule that was designed to help with marketing but didn't increase the team's bond with the NBA like the new allocation system should.

"The new allocation process is a big change and it will alter our league drastically," said one D-League coach, speaking to FanHouse on the condition of anonymity as the rule change has not yet been officially announced by the league. "Very often, the best players in the D-League attended training camp with an NBA team. It's great from an NBA team's perspective since the players they like, and want a longer look at, can stay with their affiliates."

Scott Schroeder, NBA Fanhouse

SuperNova854 wrote:Where's Foye?

mattfish wrote:the one with DJ and Rhino hugging Kaveman is my fave.

playaloc916 wrote:

mattfish wrote:the one with DJ and Rhino hugging Kaveman is my fave.

That one's hilarious. DJ looks like a really fun loving guy.

Clippers Back At It

Marqus Blakely wrote:“I feel like I’m a freshman all over again,” Blakely said. “You got your rookies who kind of hang together, and your vets that know the ropes; they’re the seniors in the class. It’s definitely like coming out and going to school again. It’s exciting.”

Blake Griffin wrote:“I’m so excited, I can’t wait,” Griffin said. “I’ve been literally counting the days down just waiting. How can you quantify that excitement, that anxiousness to get back on the court? It’s not easy, but Griffin gave it his best shot on a scale of ten.

“I’m about a twenty or a thirty probably,” Griffin quipped. “I was excited for last year, and this year it’s almost doubled. I just can’t wait to get out there.”

Baron Davis wrote:“I think the young guys are basketball hungry,” veteran guard Baron Davis said. “They come in wide eyed but with a lot of hard work and a lot focus. Each and every day they’ve been pushing me and I’ve been pushing them. It’s going to be fun. I feel like a kid again – the fun is there.

Neil Olshey wrote:“I’ve never seen the attitude more positive going into media day than it’s been this entire month,” Olshey said. “The commitment level from the guys who have to go play the game is at a level that I haven’t seen since 2005-06.”

DJ Foster, Clippers.com

playaloc916 wrote:

mattfish wrote:the one with DJ and Rhino hugging Kaveman is my fave.

That one's hilarious. DJ looks like a really fun loving guy.

Clippers training camp update: Baron Davis sits out

Now it all makes sense …

One of the reasons the Clippers got out in front on the Baron Davis fitness issue became obvious on Tuesday during the opening day of training camp.

New coach Vinny Del Negro opted to sit out Davis in the morning session. And Davis said afterward that he is dealing with a couple of nagging injuries, namely some swelling in his knee and a strained calf.

Said Del Negro, who also put limitations on Brian Cook, Craig Smith and Randy Foye: “I sat [Davis] down. I want him to feel better. It’s just a process every day we’ll build on, not only with Baron, but with everybody. It’s a team and there’s certain standards, in terms of being in shape that we have to hold guys to. And I believe strongly in that stuff and overall the guys have been doing a good job of it.”

Davis thought he was only about three or four pounds away from the desired weight. Del Negro said there was not a set plan as to when Davis will be able to participate in all activities.

Lisa Dillman, The Fabulous Forum/LA Times

Gordon is ready to speak up

Gordon, exceedingly modest, is showing intriguing hints of leadership after his highly successful turn with the gold-medal-winning U.S. team at the world championships.

It's not quite full-blown swagger from Gordon yet. But, perhaps, swag in progress.

"I've been talking a lot more," he said, smiling. "I'm done being the quiet guy. You'll always see me talking now to the guys. It's time to step on up now.

"It was just a learning experience for me, going into my third year. Now they're trying to have me as one of the leaders. I just need to speak up and also play good, at the same time."

August helped offset two losing seasons in the NBA.

"Summer kept me in a winning mentality, starting to learn how to win and got better at the same time," Gordon said. "I definitely want to transition that over here.

"We have a lot of good, young core guys. It's almost like the same team we had in Turkey, a lot of young guys and a couple of older guys."

Lisa Dillman, LA Times

Dream come true: Dennis in camp with Clippers

"This is a great chance," he said in a statement released by Kutztown, "but I can't be happy right now because I have a lot to prove. It feels great because my foot is in the door and I'm getting the opportunity I've always wanted.

"I'm going to try to take advantage of everything and make sure I'm in the NBA when the season starts in October."

Dennis finished his career with a school-record 2,406 points, the third-highest total in PSAC history. He was named to the All-PSAC East first team three times and to the second team when he was named the PSAC East Rookie of the Year.

Now he has a chance to fulfill his dream.

"To have a chance to make the team is mind-boggling," Dennis said, according to KU. "Coming from Division II, you have a lot to prove. Teams barely know me, but now that I have a chance I'm going to show everybody that I am the real deal."

Rich Scarcella, Reading Eagle