Chris Kaman Talks Trade

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:04 pm

Are you relieved that it’s over? You wanted to be out but you didn’t push for it publicly?

I didn’t really want to be out, but I just wanted an opportunity to play . . . play a certain amount of time.

Just, an opportunity to play the way I played for the first seven years of my career, I just couldn’t see that happening this year with the situation with DeAndre and Blake [Griffin] and the coaching style (the way Vinny [Del Negro] coaches as far as his style of offense and everything) and now with Caron [Butler] who’s a great player, they got Chauncey [Billups], they have so many offensive weapons and I think they have a great opportunity. I don’t think the Clippers will just make the playoffs I think it’ll be a 50-win season for the Clippers . . .

I’m blessed to be able to run up and down the court and play in the NBA, there’s not a lot of guys who can just do that, so I’m just going to do that whether it’s here or somewhere else. I would have loved to have been here [in LA], in a situation where it works for me. I liked it here, I knew everybody, I have businesses here. There are things that I like to do here, and I have a house and I just got married here. Everything is set up for me here, so it’s going to be an adjustment, but it’s something I gotta do, and there’s a plan for my life and I think that this is kind of, my path. I can’t control it, I don’t control that stuff.

I’m a team guy and I just want to play, you know? I just want to be able to play basketball and have fun. I think I’m pretty good at what I do, and I bring a different style of basketball to the team, be it post up, face up, pick and pop stuff. I’m gonna do a solid job defending, and I think I’m a solid player for any team, and I’m happy to get my talents into somewhere I’m wanted and we’ll see what happens.

Eric Pincus, HoopsWorld

RiversideClips · Post #2 » by **RiversideClips** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:16 pm

Say what you will, this was the longest tenured Clipper until yesterday. Caveman always gave his all & sometimes it wasn't pretty. What a class act as he is leaving out the door.
We became Season Tix holders Kaman's Rookie year, so for my family & myself this is part of the game. but still tough to swallow.
Good Luck, I will be rooting for you!

PerkinsFor3 · Post #3 » by **PerkinsFor3** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:20 pm

Thanks Chris. GREAT words.

Post #4 » by **mkwest** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:24 pm

RiversideClips wrote:Say what you will, this was the longest tenured Clipper until yesterday. Caveman always gave his all & sometimes it wasn't pretty. What a class act as he is leaving out the door.
We became Season Tix holders Kaman's Rookie year, so for my family & myself this is part of the game. but still tough to swallow.
Good Luck, I will be rooting for you!

I liked Kaman and I liked how his name had risen up the franchise leader boards thanks to the length of his stay. This guy has been with the team for nearly a decade and it's going to suck seeing him play elsewhere. I feel for him when talking about his personal life and how he had grown accustomed to living in Southern California. After seeing players in the past thrilled to finally "escape", it's refreshing to see players get upset when they're moved.

donemilio21 · Post #5 » by **donemilio21** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:30 pm

Maybe we'll sign him again next year

its not like we are gonna be able find a back up center better than him. I'm sure he'll easily get a starting job though.

Post #6 » by **og15** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:30 pm

Props to Kaman, it's obvious that he didn't specifically want to leave, but he also wouldn't have had the role that he desired on the team.

I like his prediction of a 50 win Clipper season. Kaman knows that the young guys have been putting in work. What's interesting is his discussion of Vinny's style, I wonder what he's referring to in regards to that.

madmaxmedia · Post #7 » by **madmaxmedia** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:11 am

RiversideClips wrote:Say what you will, this was the longest tenured Clipper until yesterday. Caveman always gave his all & sometimes it wasn't pretty. What a class act as he is leaving out the door.
We became Season Tix holders Kaman's Rookie year, so for my family & myself this is part of the game. but still tough to swallow.
Good Luck, I will be rooting for you!

LOL, not always pretty, but Caveman was still far prettier than Kandiman (and much more effective too.)

Good luck Chris!

supfoo · Post #8 » by **supfoo** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:00 am

RiversideClips wrote:Say what you will, this was the longest tenured Clipper until yesterday. Caveman always gave his all & sometimes it wasn't pretty. What a class act as he is leaving out the door.
We became Season Tix holders Kaman's Rookie year, so for my family & myself this is part of the game. but still tough to swallow.
Good Luck, I will be rooting for you!

+1 i will forever remember "kamman" and his contributions during the dunleavy days. i always thought it was cool seeing his family all wearing kaman jerseys (the replicas, not even the nike swingmans lol) to the games and supporting him.

no doubt he'll have a productive career until his late thirties. at the end of the day he's a bigman that can put up points, boards, and block shots. i think he's in line for one more being contract. then he can go back to hunting and playing video games.

oh and to chris kaman, the 405 is bad but the 5 is way worse!

Post #9 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:59 am

I enjoyed having Chris and I'm thankful for what he did for our franchise. Definitely an interesting character. I wish him all the best in New Orleans. Like you guys said it's refreshing to hear that guys didn't want to leave. We are not the Clippers of old.

MoLakers · Post #10 » by **MoLakers** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 8:09 am

Im a lakers fan but always been a clipps fan ever since loy vaught, pooh and stuff. kamans saying the right things but man he had to be one of the most frustrating players ive ever seen. he had a lot of talent but when the team needed a big play, a big basket.. he'd miss/mess up. he was so unreliable at the end of games. recently the only year clipps had success was that year with cassell EB mobley and company. u need guys that make plays at the end of games.. kaman had the talent but did not execute. wish him the best but mann was he frustrating cuz he had the talent, but lacked execution.

Leor_77 · Post #11 » by **Leor_77** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:12 am

Very classy...Kaman is in a good spot, though. Solid centers are getting paid very well these days. As long as he stays healthy, he'll have his choice of where he wants to play and will get a nice contract.

donemilio21 · Post #12 » by **donemilio21** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:33 pm

"BLOCKED BY KAMAN!" I'm gonna miss Ralph yelling that.

Post #13 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:38 pm

donemilio21 wrote:"BLOCKED BY KAMAN!" I'm gonna miss Ralph yelling that.

Me too, Kaman has given us some good memories. He was frustrating at times but I will miss him.

azncorruptedo17 · Post #14 » by **azncorruptedo17** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:07 pm

Remember when Kaman was weak because he lacked Vitamin D? explained his Defense =X lol. TBH, he would def have been a great backup for us, he would give that 'change of pace' feel off the bench with his mid range, which i thought was unstoppable when he got it going.