After all this, we got the word...
I even had a great conversation with Hoops Habit correspondent Zach Geoghegan on Twitter.
Twitterverse wrote:Zach: Why would the Clippers sign Matt Barnes? He doesn't benefit them in terms of winning the West but sure go ahead and waste that roster spot.
Wammy: Sentimental reasons, nothing more. Clippers really missed him ever since he was traded for Lance Stephenson. They're gonna miss out on Carmelo Anthony, P.J. Tucker and Wilson Chandler. If you can't get the best small forward, then get your best friend back.
Z: I understand that aspect, but that doesn't help them win.
W: I honestly think the Clippers were never meant to win. It was about erasing 40+ years of Donald Sterling [Ed. Note: I made a goof, it's 33 years. Sterling became an owner in the 1980-81 season. But 40 is a good exaggeration as I clearly had conference finals in my mind.]. It took the Spurs 20 years before they made their first NBA conference finals in the mid-90s. Six straight playoff visits is better than seven in 40 years.
Z: If they aren't meant to win, then why bother playing? If you want to win, get the right components. Barnes is not one.
W: Good question. For the Clippers, it's playoff credibility. More realistically, the right to keep Paul and Griffin in L.A. Rumor is, if the Clips lose early again, Paul and Griffin will be gone. Already, there's speculation of Chris going back to the Pelicans to play with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. The only way they can keep Paul and Griffin now is to make the conference finals this year. It's an ultimatum season.
Z: I agree that this season has major implications on the future, but what I'm saying is that Barnes doesn't help them get to the conference finals. Barnes has been underwhelming this season and even though the Clips need a 3, Barnes can't contribute like he used to. He's just an unnecessary addition to a team that needs a true 3&D guy to get them to the conference finals. That guy isn't Barnes.
W: Should they bite the bullet and trade for Melo, even if it means giving up Griffin? Clips see him as a lucky charm.
Z: I personally don't think they should unload any of their Big 3 for Melo. It'll help with shooting, but they'd lose much more. Now, if they can somehow acquire Melo without relinquishing any of the Big 3, they should throw a lot of their assets to get him.
W: What do you think the Clippers should do? All the best 3&D wings are gone. Clips are stuck with faking the "3." I think they're stuck with who they have.
Z: There are guys they can get like you said with Tucker or even Danilo Gallinari. They have assets to trade for guys like them, they just need to pull the trigger.
W: I don't think Doc is capable. He's too enamored with the love-friendship-family angle. More so, because of his son.
Z: His son is the first person he should trade along with J.J. Redick. If Doc doesn't want to, he's just digging his own grave.
