Game 1: Battle of Los Angeles Part 1 on ESPN

[mkwest]

VS

Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA
When: Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 @ 7:30 PM (PST)
TV: KTLA the CW /
Radio: 710 ESPN


Clippers Starting 5

B. Davis - Mobley - Thornton - Thomas - Kaman

Reserves

Hart - Gordon - R. Davis - Skinner - P. Davis


Lakers Starting 5

Fisher - Bryant - Radmanovic - Gasol - Bynum

Reserves

Farmar - Vujacic - Ariza - Odom - Mihm

Injury Report:
Los Angeles Clippers

Baron Davis (left ring finger) and Tim Thomas (left groin) are probable.
Marcus Camby (right heel) is doubtful.

Los Angeles Lakers

Luke Walton (right ankle) is probable.
Vladimir Radmanovic (left middle finger sprain) is day-to-day.

After nearly 6 months, we welcome back the NBA's most talented broadcast team period.


Ralph Lawler and the Clippers kick off their 25th season in the city of Los Angeles in a battle with their roommates down the hall. Clipper Nation was taken on a roller coaster ride over the summer with transactions happening left and right. We had unexpected surprises both good and bad, but the most surprising of them all was the proactive approach that the front office took after being jilted by who we once called the face of our franchise. When it was all said and done, I believe that this franchise has had a facelift. Los Angeles' native son, Baron Davis, returns back to his hometown with hopes of changing the public's perception of LA's other team. He's the franchise's biggest free agent acquisition ever and his presence has already been felt.

The stage is set. The battle of the Los Angeles teams live in front of the entire nation. Clippers are not getting any respect, so they have to go out there and prove the haters wrong. Let's do this!

[theFRANCHISE]

I'll be there live, contemplating if I should bring a BEAT L.A. sign haha BEAT LA (meaning the LAKERS)

[theFRANCHISE]

I'll be there live, contemplating if I should bring a BEAT L.A. sign haha BEAT LA (meaning the LAKERS)

[livingston2kaman]

Anyone going to be at the Block Party?

[PlinkingPanda]

This FREAKIN SUCKS! I have a night class on opening night. What a load of poppycock! I can't even skip it cause of a stupid test. -.- Hopefully I'll finish quick and rush home to see the 2nd half.

[clipperfan4life]

the wait is finally over!

so the projected 5 is perfectly ready to go for sure?

I wonder how Camby will make an impact since he didn't play one game during the preseason..

[livingston2kaman]

Barring a major breakthrough, Camby won't be ready for the season opener Wednesday against the Lakers. He has been sidelined with a bruised right heel and hasn't played a minute in the exhibition season. Davis, who has a sprained left ring finger, hasn't logged much time either -- 18 minutes in the first exhibition game at Fresno, in all -- but moved the needle toward being ready in time for Wednesday.

[mkwest]

the wait is finally over!

so the projected 5 is perfectly ready to go for sure?

I wonder how Camby will make an impact since he didn't play one game during the preseason..

It was projected but subject to change.

Clippers.com have finally updated their injury report and it is unlikely that Camby will be making his debut on Wednesday.

[PETEY PABLO]

I will be at staples tomorrw. Can not wait. Thats some bull **** if Camby is already missing games and the season hasnt even started. I really hope that Kaman brings his " A " game , atleast for the Lakers game. I noticed how much the Clips struggled in games when their 3's were not falling. See the Suns, Blazers and Nuggets games for refference . They went from averaging 103 ppg to just over 70.

Let the season begin . Its what we have been waiting for all summer.

[DerickG]

I truly believe "The CAMBY Man" will be in the Starting Lineup! I like Skinner but not as a starter he can't guard Gasol as well as Camby. We shall see. See you at the BLOCK PARTY!

[Purpose]

Come on Camby! You got to play! The man played a couple of games last season with a bad hip!

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I can't go to the block party because I'm all the way on the other side of the country, so some of you need to stop complaining. JK

Anyways I hope Camby does play and I'm very excited to see the Clippers on ESPN tomorrow night. Hopefully the Blazers give the Lakers a physical game tonight so they'll be tired by the time they play us.

[scratch21]

if Camby isnt playing do we have a chance against there frontcourt?

[TheNewEra]

My patience with Marcus Camby is getting pretty thin. The guy complains the entire time he is here about the Nuggets deal and now he won't potentially play in the opener.WTF. I don't give a damn qiute frank if he misses the next three games but this game is the measuring stick of this team so he needs to get up and play his game. At the most play limited mintues in the game give some kind of contribution rather than a bench bum. Camby needs to toughen it up and play.

[JJ LoDuca]

^ I agree. Its bullsh*t if Camby doesn't play. You gonna let a bruised heel keep you out of the season opener? The season opener for your new team where you're trying to make a new name for yourself? The season opener against inter-city RIVALS?

Grow a pair and play, Camby!

Despite this news, I'm excited to see the new squad in action. Moreover, I'm excited to hear Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith RULE THE MICROPHONE once again!

Here's to 25 years in LA!

[jflipclip]

if Camby isnt playing do we have a chance against there frontcourt?

I think we might have more trouble with Gasol than Bynum. However, if we can push the ball effectively with Baron, then transition D play as a weakness to Bynum and Gasol on the court at the same time. =p

[mj_shoefanatic]

Anyone going to be at the Block Party?

I'll be there rocking the Cassell home swingman jersey.

Go Clippers!

[TheNewEra]

Doesn't look like the Blazers are going to soften up the Lakers at all. lol

I agree with I'm more concerned about Gasol than Bynum the guy seems to be on a whole different level this season. I wouldn't mind running with Al at the 4.

Baron, Cat, Ricky, Al ,Kaman. But man Camby's defense would do wonders in the opener.

[GuyverX]

Man, after what the Lakers did to the Blazers...it's going to be a tough game to pull out. It could be downright embarrassing on ESPN. I just hope Baron and Kaman come with their A-game. The Lakers were playing D like I've never seen them play against Portland. They really look like the team to beat this year. Let's hope our guys are up for the challenge.

[mkwest]

I'm just happy to see this season begin. It doesn't look good at all concerning Camby, but I'm going to hold out hope until it's official. Hopefully our guys are hyped to be playing in front of the home crowd against the lakers on their only real nationally televised game (we have a handful on NBATV).

With Camby out, I think our best bet may be to slide Thornton to the 4 and move Ricky into the starting line-up tomorrow. Skinner would do a much better job defensively, but we may improve our chances if we're hitting our shots and run on them.