The Way I See It

[loflin3hree5ive]

Thank you Mike Dunleavy for doing such an excellent job managing the Clippers roster this summer. You really don't owe Donald Sterling the great work you've done that has put his franchise in such amazing shape. Although Donald Sterling has called you out to the media in the last year and threatened your job security, you still position his organization for prosperity as if it were your own. I'm just glad you got that fourth year on your contract so you can see your plan come to fruition just in time for another contract extension.

By the time the summer of 2010 comes around, Donald Sterling's lawyer is going to have a lot of talented individuals to have to write up contracts for. Whether those names include Chris Bosh, Yao Ming, Joe Johnson, Dwayne Wade or even Lebron James remains to be seen. One name I know who will be on a freshly printed Los Angeles Clippers waiting to be signed will be that of Mike Dunleavy. Because of Coach Dunleavy, Clippers fans can realistically lick their chops at the prospect of getting AT LEAST one of these big names. The personnel moves Mike Dunleavy executed this summer, if anybody didn't notice, will result in the Clippers having substantial cap space in the summer of 2010 to spend on this historic pool of free agents.

Sure, anybody can plan for the big summer of 2010, especially when most of the money coming off the books as a result of the end of what most call the "bad contracts" of Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. However, not just any "pseudo GM" can build a solid core in preparation for a run at some of the NBA's finest when they become free agents in two years like Dunleavy has. Not any "pseudo GM" can hardball a team to death until they gave up a former Defensive Player of the Year who also happens to be a $10 million 2010 expiring contract for virtually nothing. Not just any GM can offer Lebron James the opportunity to play alongside Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Al Thornton and Eric Gordon, and whatever star free agent PF wants to take the Clippers remaining $12 million (Chris Bosh anyone?). And what is certain, not just anybody can offer all this opportunity to a star free agent in arguably the largest market in the United States, which also happens to be a good proving ground to determine who is the NBA's best player with Mr. Kobe Bryant just down the hallway.

Now, am I saying that the Clippers will make the playoffs this year? Not necessarily. Am I saying Lebron is a lock to be a Clipper in two years? Hardly. But what I am saying is thank you Mike Dunleavy, for building a franchise with such a bright future, and giving Clipper Nation something really special to look forward to. Whether we see it yet or not.

[mkwest]

Throughout Dunleavy's time here, he has helped bring this team to the 21st century. He has actually managed to convince The Donald to open up his pocketbook on this franchise. This year he really showed some boldness in establishing the direction of this team. During his public dispute with Sterling he threatened him by stating that "it would be the biggest mistake that [Sterling] ever made." So far that has looked to be very true.

I definitely don't agree with every personnel decision that Dunleavy has made here, but I agree with pretty much all of his decisions this summer. He mentioned that whenever he's looking to make a move that he puts himself in the shoes of the owner. If you look back at the introductory press conference for Baron Davis, a reporter asks if this is the biggest signing in the team's history. Roeser says "it is to date, but the summer is not over yet." Dunleavy quickly jumps in to support his new franchise player, and says yes it is. That may not seem like much, but I originally thought Roeser just needed to keep his mouth shut at that point. Thankfully Dunleavy was able to smooth it out. He made the rest of the summer go surprisingly smooth as well after Brand ditched us for some cheesesteaks.

Time will tell how long Dunleavy stays on as coach and how the new team even responds to him at the reins. I saw a chip on his shoulder this summer, some swagger and some much needed attitude, so I am hoping that he carries that out onto the court and into the players as well. I would like to see him eventually move over into GM role if/when another coach is hired. He's given us some hope to be successful for the present and possibly have a really bright future.

[SD2042]

Good words of thought. The Clips should be proud of how Coach Dunleavy took charge of the Clips offseason after what happened with the Elton Brand situation. The moves they made this summer are major steps in the right direction in terms of commitment to the Clippers getting better as a team. All that is waiting on the Clips is the season itself.

[playaloc916]

I agree, Dunleavy's quickly earned my respect over the summer. He's taking action, and doing what needs to be done, because it seems like no one else is doing it. The moves that were made were risky, but I'm definitely excited. And although it seems like we're in a "win now" mode, the future of the franchise hasn't been sacrificed. We have a nice mix of veterans, players in their prime, and up and coming stars. The roster now has some big names, instead of the Dickau's and the Fazekas'. I hope that Dunleavy also mixes up the playing time a bit, and try to see what we can get out of Gordon. If someone told me that we'd lose Brand and Maggette, I would've thought we'd be in trouble. But instead, I'm looking at the roster with a grin on my face. Just a few more weeks...

[mkwest]

If someone told me that we'd lose Brand and Maggette, I would've thought we'd be in trouble. But instead, I'm looking at the roster with a grin on my face. Just a few more weeks...

Exactly. I previously thought Brand leaving would have been the final death blow to this franchise. In reality, him leaving has helped make a very favorable future possible.


I love the roster we have. I'm not worried about the critics at all. When they actually predicted us to do well, we didn't. When we had our best season, they had us ranked 11-13th in the West.

[SD2042]

The critics shouldn't be too mad crazy on the Clips moves from the offseason. If anything, they should be intrigue unless they're a buncha haters.

[dockingsched]

the one thing that can be said for sure is that the clips have built what looks to be an EXCITING team that should also win. camby and kaman blocking everything in sight. baron davis running the point along with white chocolate, top rookie gordon on the wing with high flyer thornton and ricky davis? ouch.

[mkwest]

The critics shouldn't be too mad crazy on the Clips moves from the offseason. If anything, they should be intrigue unless they're a buncha haters.

A lot of season previews/team analyses have said that Denver is going to really feel the loss of Camby, the same with Golden State and Davis. When the Clippers come up, you don't hear about most of the acquisitions being a positive thing, just that Brand and Maggette are gone. ESPN gave us the #1 worst newcomer. Kaman only put up good numbers last year because Brand was hurt, and that he and Camby will limit each other. Yet, Brand will make Dalembert a much better player. That's a little contradictory to me. We won 23 last year, with only Maggette being the key loss, yet I've seen us slated to win 30 games at times.

It's not all bad, just mostly not all that appealing. This team has yet to prove anything, but they're not cutting us any slack. Just have to earn it.

[SD2042]

As always, if you want respect, you have to earn it by proving your worth.

In the case of Denver and GSW feeling the loss of Camby and Davis respectively, yes it will hurt like hell. Especially for Denver since they already didn't have enough defense to begin with. Since they didn't make any more trades outside of Camby, I wouldn't be too surprised if they struggle to win some games in the upcoming season. Could be looking at Denver as the mediocre Milwaukee team of last year.