Off season, free agency, coaching change.

[Ballings7]

Watch on YouTube

A few interesting exchanges, at least.


11m02s.. Law Murray asking about defensive expectations for Beal.

https://youtu.be/wGbYKtXiAYc?t=666

12m42s.. playmaking improvement still an area to address, with 2 roster spots left. Also asked about CP3.

https://youtu.be/wGbYKtXiAYc?t=776

19m05s .. asked on behalf of MTV

https://youtu.be/wGbYKtXiAYc?t=1230

Sounds like CP3, if he's brought in, would not be a starter, too. LF talking up Beal as a leading piece.. which is expected.

[og15]

Beal did show some hustle, and he's got good length as a 6'4 SG, good enough size, so we'll see how he does in this defensive system. All he needs to do is be average / above average, no one is expecting some sort of stopper

Back in the Vogel days:
https://youtube.com/shorts/l7n7r4gq2fk?si=eXGE_lYHHokkgDCk

Defense is not judged by whether the shot goes in:
https://youtube.com/shorts/ijP5e9R4dK8?si=SWwZdxkpJ8LYgREC

Effort, rotation, reading the plays:
https://youtube.com/shorts/CVVxGGtuGys?si=dN2cxMxDWBC2Up4t

So clearly he can do some things, but consistency, off ball defense, all these things we'll see. Some guys get stuck on bad teams so long, it becomes hard to judge what they can actually do on good teams.

[esqtvd]

A pretty big stfu to FO critics. The plan has always been that the Clippers are and will remain a destination, with their access to Hollywood, best weather in the NBA (I've lived in Miami: The weather is better here); a championship coach; a basketball Xanadu for a home court; and the best facilities and richest, most crazed owner in sports.

[Bobbymcgee]

Feeling greedy, any chance the Clippers can get Al Horford too? lol

[Ballings7]

Beal did show some hustle, and he's got good length as a 6'4 SG, good enough size, so we'll see how he does in this defensive system. All he needs to do is be average / above average, no one is expecting some sort of stopper

Back in the Vogel days:
https://youtube.com/shorts/l7n7r4gq2fk?si=eXGE_lYHHokkgDCk

Defense is not judged by whether the shot goes in:
https://youtube.com/shorts/ijP5e9R4dK8?si=SWwZdxkpJ8LYgREC

Effort, rotation, reading the plays:
https://youtube.com/shorts/CVVxGGtuGys?si=dN2cxMxDWBC2Up4t

So clearly he can do some things, but consistency, off ball defense, all these things we'll see. Some guys get stuck on bad teams so long, it becomes hard to judge what they can actually do on good teams.

Interesting, yeah. I think he's gonna have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, especially to get another decent contract after this. Also, JVG will have an influence as he did on Harden, I think for sure.

Going to check out the clips.

[og15]

Feeling greedy, any chance the Clippers can get Al Horford too? lol

It would have had to be Lopez or Horford

[esqtvd]

Read on Twitter

[Captain Ballmer]

Clippers surrounded Kawhi with tons of talent again. This is what you want your team to treat you if you are a superstar. All these guys in 26/27 fa classes needs to be smart about not signing extensions with their teams early on.

[Ballings7]

Random thought, mainly coming off of this discussion on the Clips:

Watch on YouTube

26:26-38:43

https://youtu.be/U3ad5rNdAM8?t=1590

I could definitely see, Lue going to either of these line-ups with DJJ, if there is an extra emphasis on defense for some reason, but without Dunn's shaky shooting spacing:

-- bigger line-up:

Harden
DJJ
Kawhi
Collins
Zubac


-- smaller line up:
Harden
Beal
Kawhi
DJJ
Zubac


I do have faith though that Collins and Beal will be effective, consistent enough defensively in time.. But, also those line ups being a good option to go in a game regardless, when you want to really increase the defense.

[MartinToVaught]

A pretty big stfu to FO critics. The plan has always been that the Clippers are and will remain a destination, with their access to Hollywood, best weather in the NBA (I've lived in Miami: The weather is better here); a championship coach; a basketball Xanadu for a home court; and the best facilities and richest, most crazed owner in sports.

The only "STFU" to FO critics will be a Finals appearance at minimum. If this all ends in another typical first or second round exit, every word of criticism towards the front office still applies. Even another WCF can only move the needle so much since we've already checked that box in this era.

Taking victory laps before this year's team has accomplished anything is foolish given this regime's results to date. Winning the offseason means nothing when we just had to watch Frank gift OKC the first of many actual championships.

[MartinToVaught]

Feeling greedy, any chance the Clippers can get Al Horford too? lol

The last time Horford left Boston's system, he was god-awful, and he's older and slower now than he was back then. It also seems like a fait accompli that he's signing with GSW and both sides are just waiting for Kuminga's drama to be resolved.

[esqtvd]

A pretty big stfu to FO critics. The plan has always been that the Clippers are and will remain a destination, with their access to Hollywood, best weather in the NBA (I've lived in Miami: The weather is better here); a championship coach; a basketball Xanadu for a home court; and the best facilities and richest, most crazed owner in sports.

The only "STFU" to FO critics will be a Finals appearance at minimum. If this all ends in another typical first or second round exit, every word of criticism towards the front office still applies. Even another WCF can only move the needle so much since we've already checked that box in this era.

Taking victory laps before this year's team has accomplished anything is foolish given this regime's results to date. Winning the offseason means nothing when we just had to watch Frank gift OKC the first of many actual championships.

Simply not true. I don't consider this a top contender, but it will win games and be worth watching. It'll be fun. This is supposed to be fun. No expectations, no anguish, no Larry or else.

213 was BALLMER's baby, not Doc's or Frank's. Making something watchable from its ashes without being committed past 2028-- and maybe even having enough cap room next year for a max guy? The FO killed it.

[esqtvd]

Feeling greedy, any chance the Clippers can get Al Horford too? lol

The last time Horford left Boston's system, he was god-awful, and he's older and slower now than he was back then. It also seems like a fait accompli that he's signing with GSW and both sides are just waiting for Kuminga's drama to be resolved.

Yes, Horford was a disaster. Big no.

[jengmann3]

I think the biggest question I have is how good is Bradley Beal. Buyouts are weird in 2025, but usually buyout players are not all star caliber. But Beal imo kinda is supposed to be the needle mover. I think under a different roster construction, maybe Collins would be but I think if you start Beal it's just a different team. In any event, you know how sometimes when watching Zach Lavine you can think he's like a top 20 player. His skill is just incredible. I'm just wondering if Beal can be that this year. With good screeners and a good passer, can he be elite.

[TrueLAfan]

Short memories. Yes, there are question marks around Beal—how much have injuries taken from him? Does he have the focus he used to have? But the facts are there. From 2017 to 2023, Beal averaged 25.5-4.3-5.0 with good shooting splits. His A/TO ratio was almost 2-1. He played great alongside Westbrook; he played great alongside Wall. The Wizards are looked at as a hot mess now (and should be)—but in that seven year span with Beal, they were basically a .500 team that was poorly constructed almost every year. … and they got that far because of Bradley Beal. He’s been in a few playoff series and has played well. There’s a reason why Phoenix wanted to get him. And 2023 wasn’t that long ago.

Is he the player he used to be? Probably not. But he’s still in the prime phase—the tail end, but still. He just turned 32. Can he give us 17-3-3.5 in 28 minutes a game? It’s a solid bet, and that could be a needle mover.

[esqtvd]

Short memories. Yes, there are question marks around Beal—how much have injuries taken from him? Does he have the focus he used to have? But the facts are there. From 2017 to 2023, Beal averaged 25.5-4.3-5.0 with good shooting splits. His A/TO ratio was almost 2-1. He played great alongside Westbrook; he played great alongside Wall. The Wizards are looked at as a hot mess now (and should be)—but in that seven year span with Beal, they were basically a .500 team that was poorly constructed almost every year. … and they got that far because of Bradley Beal. He’s been in a few playoff series and has played well. There’s a reason why Phoenix wanted to get him. And 2023 wasn’t that long ago.

Is he the player he used to be? Probably not. But he’s still in the prime phase—the tail end, but still. He just turned 32. Can he give us 17-3-3.5 in 28 minutes a game? It’s a solid bet, and that could be a needle mover.

In the end, the FO got Beal for Powell--probably a push--and that means they got a sorely needed PF in Collins for free. All while staying under the apron. Big win.

[Clemenza]

A pretty big stfu to FO critics. The plan has always been that the Clippers are and will remain a destination, with their access to Hollywood, best weather in the NBA (I've lived in Miami: The weather is better here); a championship coach; a basketball Xanadu for a home court; and the best facilities and richest, most crazed owner in sports.

The only "STFU" to FO critics will be a Finals appearance at minimum. If this all ends in another typical first or second round exit, every word of criticism towards the front office still applies. Even another WCF can only move the needle so much since we've already checked that box in this era.

Taking victory laps before this year's team has accomplished anything is foolish given this regime's results to date. Winning the offseason means nothing when we just had to watch Frank gift OKC the first of many actual championships.

Simply not true. I don't consider this a top contender, but it will win games and be worth watching. It'll be fun. This is supposed to be fun. No expectations, no anguish, no Larry or else.

213 was BALLMER's baby, not Doc's or Frank's. Making something watchable from its ashes without being committed past 2028-- and maybe even having enough cap room next year for a max guy? The FO killed it.

TBH, you backed off that initial statement way too fast. "A pretty big STFU to FO critics." Gotta back that up at least a little bit buddy. Throw a hot take of a WCF appearance in there. Claim it, call it. Its all in fun, nobody is going to hold a gun to your head. It'll all be forgotten once the season starts anyway. But we need to at least make it past the first round of the playoffs at least. Also, LA takes half your money in taxes. We're not the destination that we used to be.

[jengmann3]

I woulda rather have cam Thomas. Can we trade bogi for cam Thomas. That's honestly the type of player the Clips need if this is true. Unfortunately not now with Beal and CP in the mix. But it woulda been cool to have a bucket like him. 6 man that does his thing and then starts when kawhi sits out. If we had added him and Collins I honestly woulda been hyped. You get younger and you have this crazy wild card of a player. I don't mean to be a negative hater tho. Just my thoughts.

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[esqtvd]

The only "STFU" to FO critics will be a Finals appearance at minimum. If this all ends in another typical first or second round exit, every word of criticism towards the front office still applies. Even another WCF can only move the needle so much since we've already checked that box in this era.

Taking victory laps before this year's team has accomplished anything is foolish given this regime's results to date. Winning the offseason means nothing when we just had to watch Frank gift OKC the first of many actual championships.

Simply not true. I don't consider this a top contender, but it will win games and be worth watching. It'll be fun. This is supposed to be fun. No expectations, no anguish, no Larry or else.

213 was BALLMER's baby, not Doc's or Frank's. Making something watchable from its ashes without being committed past 2028-- and maybe even having enough cap room next year for a max guy? The FO killed it.

TBH, you backed off that initial statement way too fast. "A pretty big STFU to FO critics." Gotta back that up at least a little bit buddy. Throw a hot take of a WCF appearance in there. Claim it, call it. Its all in fun, nobody is going to hold a gun to your head. It'll all be forgotten once the season starts anyway. But we need to at least make it past the first round of the playoffs at least. Also, LA takes half your money in taxes. We're not the destination that we used to be.

Unresponsive. Please respond only to what I actually say.

I don't consider this a top contender, but it will win games and be worth watching. It'll be fun. This is supposed to be fun. No expectations, no anguish, no Larry or else.

213 was BALLMER's baby, not Doc's or Frank's. Making something watchable from its ashes without being committed past 2028-- and maybe even having enough cap room next year for a max guy?

Although I agree on the taxes. But for these older guys worth $200 or 300 million now playing for the minimum... not a factor.

[og15]

I woulda rather have cam Thomas. Can we trade bogi for cam Thomas. That's honestly the type of player the Clips need if this is true. Unfortunately not now with Beal and CP in the mix. But it woulda been cool to have a bucket like him. 6 man that does his thing and then starts when kawhi sits out. If we had added him and Collins I honestly woulda been hyped. You get younger and you have this crazy wild card of a player. I don't mean to be a negative hater tho. Just my thoughts.

Read on Twitter

Not sure how you expect the Clippers to get a 24 year old restricted free agent, that was never a realistic option. It's pointless to get disappointed about things that had no chance of happening in the first place.