An early summer 2024 thread

[esqtvd]

Is a PG sign n trade possible?

Would love to get him in Charlotte to mentor Brandon Miller and he makes us a playoff team.

I would sign n trade Miles Bridges if possible.

In a sign and trade, first the player is choosing where to sign. No way PG chooses NBA Siberia while the Sixers and several others will be happy to give him the max.

Not even to mentor his young protege in Brandon Miller?

PG leading us to the playoffs he would be treated like a king.

I think he mostly prefers smoking weed and podcasting lol

only one of those is legal in NC

[wakelaunch1]

Is a PG sign n trade possible?

Would love to get him in Charlotte to mentor Brandon Miller and he makes us a playoff team.

I would sign n trade Miles Bridges if possible.

In a sign and trade, first the player is choosing where to sign. No way PG chooses NBA Siberia while the Sixers and several others will be happy to give him the max.

Not even to mentor his young protege in Brandon Miller?

PG leading us to the playoffs he would be treated like a king.

PG isnt a mentor. James Harden working with players to get better happened as soon as Harden arrived. PG hasnt done ****

[wakelaunch1]

I think the Clippers organization underestimates the fan base and why they like them. It was never about the stars.

Well said. We cheered for Loy Vaught, for Piatkowski, for Miles and QRich, so on and so forth. None of these guys were superstars, but they were beloved players anyway. If it was all about stars and glory-hunting, we'd all just be Laker fans and save ourselves from a lifetime of heartbreak.

I get your point- I really enjoyed the 48 win team in 18-19, but I like the current team too- Kawhi should be commended for selecting the Clippers and PG too for wanting to play in LA- this is one of the few times that star players have deliberately selected the Clippers. The only other time I can think of it was Baron Davis and he wasn't nearly on their level (at least not Kawhi's). I think these guys want to be successful, but it just hasn't worked out yet.

How can you like this team. They dont try hard, they show no interest in winning, they think they are winning on talent alone, and they dont take accountability for their own play. one of the least likeable Clippers teams I have watched in a long time. Its strickly a jump shooting/3 point shooting team. its not a serious team

[KL2]

The last thing I want this team to have is draft picks. They don’t take the draft seriously and they hand them out like candy on Halloween. They’re not even drafted to play here. I hope when they conduct their interviews/workouts they’re up front on where they’ll actually be playing.

If the league would approve it I’m sure these young guys wouldn’t be allowed to wear a Clippers jersey. It would say stay ready on it.

[Roscoe Sheed]

The last thing I want this team to have is draft picks. They don’t take the draft seriously and they hand them out like candy on Halloween. They’re not even drafted to play here. I hope when they conduct their interviews/workouts they’re up front on where they’ll actually be playing.

If the league would approve it I’m sure these young guys wouldn’t be allowed to wear a Clippers jersey. It would say stay ready on it.

generally true- but they did draft SGA, albeit to trade him for PG

[esqtvd]

The last thing I want this team to have is draft picks. They don’t take the draft seriously and they hand them out like candy on Halloween. They’re not even drafted to play here. I hope when they conduct their interviews/workouts they’re up front on where they’ll actually be playing.

If the league would approve it I’m sure these young guys wouldn’t be allowed to wear a Clippers jersey. It would say stay ready on it.

Shai was starting by his 10th game as a Clipper. He was the highest pick we had since Aminu at #8 in 2010. That's a lot of water under the bridge.

The problem is we've been a winning team, the 3rd most wins in the NBA over the last 10 years. Besides Shai and Jerome Robinson in 2018, the lowest pick since Aminu was #25 [three times].

None of our draftees has gone on to have much of a career elsewhere. Yes, there have been a few players we *coulda/shoulda* have drafted that others got lucky on. It's fair to say we have not been *lucky*, even with Jerry Fkn West on the staff.

Now we're looking at drafting in the 20s [when at all] until 2030. That's a lot more water under the bridge to come. Or spilt milk, if you prefer.

[MartinToVaught]

The problem is we've been a winning team, the 3rd most wins in the NBA over the last 10 years.

That's not really a valid excuse when so many teams around us on that list - the Celtics, Raptors, Nuggets, Heat, etc. - have had success with player development. We are also the only team in the top 6 with no Finals appearances or rings in that time, and for all that highly-touted "winning," we're a perennial 4th seed that's usually out after the first or second round.

It's almost like instant gratification with a veteran-heavy roster has a much lower ceiling than patiently building a team. And living with young players' mistakes is more rewarding in the long run than prioritizing regular-season wins with 40-year-olds.

[esqtvd]

That's not really a valid excuse when so many teams around us on that list - the Celtics, Raptors, Nuggets, Heat, etc. - have had success with player development. We are also the only team in the top 6 with no Finals appearances or rings in that time, and for all that highly-touted "winning," we're a perennial 4th seed that's usually out after the first or second round.

It's almost like instant gratification with a veteran-heavy roster has a much lower ceiling than patiently building a team. And living with young players' mistakes is more rewarding in the long run than prioritizing regular-season wins with 40-year-olds.

Top 6 you say? Sounds about right. There are 2 dozen other teams and owners who would trade places.

Completely attributable to injuries in the playoffs. Bad luck. 3rd most wins is proof of success, not failure. 5th most valuable franchise. 10th in attendance, just ahead of the Lakers in the same building!

https://www.espn.com/nba/attendance

It's Ballmer's team. He calls the shots. I often write about the Clippers that way. "We" when we're on the court, "Ballmer" when it comes to FO office moves.



One thing L-Frank was right about at the beginning of this season: Taking the regular season seriously. Boston won 64 games this year and is cruising to the title. Can't just ho-hum regular season wins--they're intertwined. Can't have it both ways.



Titles are great but ultimately it's regular season wins and fannies in the seats. At the end of Lob City, Ballmer went all-in on 213 and kept the wins and the fans coming. Playoff-wise, about the same. Even though Microsoft lost out to Apple as the #1 tech company, Ballmer still became the world's 10th-richest man. Success enough.

[Captain Ballmer]

The last thing I want this team to have is draft picks. They don’t take the draft seriously and they hand them out like candy on Halloween. They’re not even drafted to play here. I hope when they conduct their interviews/workouts they’re up front on where they’ll actually be playing.

If the league would approve it I’m sure these young guys wouldn’t be allowed to wear a Clippers jersey. It would say stay ready on it.

General concept is they draft players for feel good stories make them look cute&cool. They don't develop them so if they make a pick they will do it to feel good about themselves.

Jawun Ewans was too small to play in NBA, they picked him anyway.
B.Dawson wasn't going to make it but He was from same D.Green school and same body&mental type and Dray was the thing those days so looking cool to draft him.
D.Stone&Oturu never make it today's nba with their traditional skills but they were nice guys deserved a chance.
Sindarius was a senior, proven late bloomer who I did on board with bc of NCAA success but never really last besides some cute moments in Summer League.
Mfiondu Kabengele was nephew of Mutombo, similar traits, Clips could look cute if drafted him so why not.
Keon was at least 2 year away from NBA type project, but has the best vertical and prioritize to become next Kawhi so they find it cute again.
Jason Preston was a podcaster a year ago before the draft, If he could make it to the league that would be an all time feel good story so why not for our FO.
BJ Boston was consensus top 5 talent out of HS, had a down year in Kentucky so taking him at 56 and prove eveyone he still has it was another feel good story
Diabate was another tweener from French, kind a cute to have him around for Batum.
Kobe was 24, not considered 1st rd pick at all, slim change to translate NBA but they did it because it was looking cool.

They also did(doing) same thing with Joshua Primo, Kai Jones, John Wall, Hyland. "If they didn't perform well for their last team, It doesn't mean they underperform for us as well" you know. Because we are cute and want to feel good about this. End of our bench should have some good stories for kids.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Well said. We cheered for Loy Vaught, for Piatkowski, for Miles and QRich, so on and so forth. None of these guys were superstars, but they were beloved players anyway. If it was all about stars and glory-hunting, we'd all just be Laker fans and save ourselves from a lifetime of heartbreak.

I get your point- I really enjoyed the 48 win team in 18-19, but I like the current team too- Kawhi should be commended for selecting the Clippers and PG too for wanting to play in LA- this is one of the few times that star players have deliberately selected the Clippers. The only other time I can think of it was Baron Davis and he wasn't nearly on their level (at least not Kawhi's). I think these guys want to be successful, but it just hasn't worked out yet.

How can you like this team. They dont try hard, they show no interest in winning, they think they are winning on talent alone, and they dont take accountability for their own play. one of the least likeable Clippers teams I have watched in a long time. Its strickly a jump shooting/3 point shooting team. its not a serious team

I definitely get frustrated with this team, but I don't fully agree with this interpretation. I think they do want to win and can show sustained effort toward this (for example the more than 30 game stretch during the regular season- they weren't winning on talent alone- I saw signs of solid team chemistry and effort).

I like some of the personalities on the team- particularly Kawhi. I like his stoic effort and commitment. I think he is genuinely dismayed by his body betraying him. I like that he displays excellence without gloating or showboating. He also doesn't make excuses for poor performance.

I like PG overall, but his attitude is less than ideal in that he does sometimes show a lack of effort and is prone to making excuses for poor performances. However, I do like that he has been committed to the team.

I like the effort and attitude of Zubac and Powell as well.

Never been a fan of Harden or Westbrook until they got here, but I've somewhat changed my opinion of them. I think Harden is a good facilitator and capable scorer still and Westbrook provides full effort. I do think it is time to move on from Westbrook though considering how poorly he played in the playoffs.

I just wish this team could stay healthy and also develop some of the young players like Hyland, Brown, and Boston. I think they have potential if used properly.

[wakelaunch1]

I get your point- I really enjoyed the 48 win team in 18-19, but I like the current team too- Kawhi should be commended for selecting the Clippers and PG too for wanting to play in LA- this is one of the few times that star players have deliberately selected the Clippers. The only other time I can think of it was Baron Davis and he wasn't nearly on their level (at least not Kawhi's). I think these guys want to be successful, but it just hasn't worked out yet.

How can you like this team. They dont try hard, they show no interest in winning, they think they are winning on talent alone, and they dont take accountability for their own play. one of the least likeable Clippers teams I have watched in a long time. Its strickly a jump shooting/3 point shooting team. its not a serious team

I definitely get frustrated with this team, but I don't fully agree with this interpretation. I think they do want to win and can show sustained effort toward this (for example the more than 30 game stretch during the regular season- they weren't winning on talent alone- I saw signs of solid team chemistry and effort).

I like some of the personalities on the team- particularly Kawhi. I like his stoic effort and commitment. I think he is genuinely dismayed by his body betraying him. I like that he displays excellence without gloating or showboating. He also doesn't make excuses for poor performance.

I like PG overall, but his attitude is less than ideal in that he does sometimes show a lack of effort and is prone to making excuses for poor performances. However, I do like that he has been committed to the team.

I like the effort and attitude of Zubac and Powell as well.

Never been a fan of Harden or Westbrook until they got here, but I've somewhat changed my opinion of them. I think Harden is a good facilitator and capable scorer still and Westbrook provides full effort. I do think it is time to move on from Westbrook though considering how poorly he played in the playoffs.

I just wish this team could stay healthy and also develop some of the young players like Hyland, Brown, and Boston. I think they have potential if used properly.

No old team like this is going to be anywhere near the championship. I predict if they bring the same team back they will be around 500. This team is going backwards fast. Kawhi cant hold up and i predict he plays around 50 games next year. We should trade anything worth anything just to try something different.

[esqtvd]

Read on Twitter

[Quake Griffin]

Managed decline.

[esqtvd]

Managed decline.

I lived through The Process with the Sixers. Even worse. Same for Lakers fans between Kobe's retirement and AD joining LeBron. 6 seasons of MISERY.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a 163-329 record between the 2013-14 and 2018-19 seasons.

Ballmer is 68, He's like fk that and who can blame him?

[Quake Griffin]

Interesting.

Did he figure out how to start over without exercising those 2 options at the end of the Lob City era??

[esqtvd]

Interesting.

Did he figure out how to start over without exercising those 2 options at the end of the Lob City era??

You were here.

1) Promise Blake he'll be a "Clipper for Life" then screw him by shipping him off to NBA Siberia [Detroit] and get some return
2) Get Kawhi as a UFA by stalking his games with Lawrence Frank for a year then trading away a half-decade's worth of draft picks to get PG.

Compared to The Process and the Lakers' immediate post-Kobe era, shooting for 45-47 wins doesn't seem so bad.

The Philadelphia 76ers had a record of 75-253 between the 2013-14 and 2016-17 seasons.

The Philadelphia 76ers were 47-199 between the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons.

You ready for 47-199? C'mon, man. Your kid will be shaving by the time we're ready to compete again.

[Quake Griffin]

So he did do it without going full Hinkie.

Interesting.
Guess we can stop suggesting a rebuild WILL be going full Hinkie.

[esqtvd]

So he did do it without going full Hinkie.

Interesting.
Guess we can stop suggesting a rebuild WILL be going full Hinkie.

Asked and answered. The post-Kobe Lakers. Half as bad, twice as long. Still Hinkie.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a 163-329 record between the 2013-14 and 2018-19 seasons.

You ready for 163-329? Worse, because it lasted SIX years instead of 3.

Saved only by the Archangel LeBron swooping in to single-handedly to save the day. And at the moment, the Lakers aren't in much better shape than we are. LeBron is 40, may stay or may go, and they traded away most of the assets they reaped during 6 years of MISERY to get AD. Not much different from the Clippers' story except for the Bubble Trophy.



Look, I can only tell this from Ballmer's side because that's all that counts. But I also suffered through The Process as a Sixers fan and they have nothing to show for it except a gimpy Embiid and a lucky hit on Maxey at #22. The Lakers won the L̷a̷r̷r̷y̷ Mickey.

YMMV. The 3rd most wins in the NBA since Ballmer took over. The Lakers tied for 23rd.



Maybe you'd trade it all for the L̷a̷r̷r̷y̷ Mickey. Meh.

[Quake Griffin]

Looks like he did this before without going full 163-329.

Guess we can stop acting like a rebuild has to be full 163-329.

[esqtvd]

Looks like he did this before

Guess we can stop acting like a rebuild has to be full 163-329.

HE? Who? You mean Ballmer has...what?

I think we're agreeing. Ballmer has never gone full 163-329, nor do I expect he ever will. Floor is yours.

Ballmer would like a title, but 3rd most wins, every night, is a decent consolation. I am not disappointed in my team. OR my coach. THAT is the message being sent by re-signing Kawhi and Ty.



Listen to pebbles move and the continents grind, grasshopper.