09 Clippers-Legit?

HKapM82 · Post #1 » by **HKapM82** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:10 am

This team is somehow stacked if they are able to resign Brand.

PG: Baron Davis/Smush Parker
SG: Cuttino Mobley/Eric Gordon
SF: Al Thorton/Tim Thomas
PF: Elton Brand/Josh Powell
C: Chris Kaman/Paul Davis

They still need a bit of depth, but that team is solid defensively as well as offensively with a lot of weapons. I felt like Thorton would be an all-star in the next couple years if this became his team, but as a supporting player, he will give you a lot. I think most likely they will trade Mobley for some depth and put Gordon as a starter, and if they were able to to do that, it would be a huge amazement for the upcoming season as the Clippers would actually be a possible contender. I cant even begin to tell you the amazement in writing this, haha. Im impressed so far, and as Brand wants to resign, they could do very well next year. Although the west is stacked, this is definitely a huge step in the right direction, clippers fan rejoice, all six of you, haha. Good luck next year, but it looks like you wont need nearly as much help as i thought, good sign.

magicfan4life05 · Post #2 » by **magicfan4life05** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:12 am

E-B-C THE NEXT BIG 3!!!

lol that was bad

Post #3 » by **CBS7** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:13 am

I'm not as high as you are on Al Thornton, but yeah, that team looks excellent right now. If they stay healthy and play together, they'll be a true contender.

GuyverX · Post #4 » by **GuyverX** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:16 am

HKapM82 wrote:This team is somehow stacked if they are able to resign Brand.

PG: Baron Davis/Smush Parker
SG: Cuttino Mobley/Eric Gordon
SF: Al Thorton/Tim Thomas
PF: Elton Brand/Josh Powell
C: Chris Kaman/Paul Davis

They still need a bit of depth, but that team is solid defensively as well as offensively with a lot of weapons. I felt like Thorton would be an all-star in the next couple years if this became his team, but as a supporting player, he will give you a lot. I think most likely they will trade Mobley for some depth and put Gordon as a starter, and if they were able to to do that, it would be a huge amazement for the upcoming season as the Clippers would actually be a possible contender. I cant even begin to tell you the amazement in writing this, haha. Im impressed so far, and as Brand wants to resign, they could do very well next year. Although the west is stacked, this is definitely a huge step in the right direction, clippers fan rejoice, all six of you, haha. Good luck next year, but it looks like you wont need nearly as much help as i thought, good sign.

You can add Brevin Knight to the backup PG spot instead of Smush...he has one year left on his contract. I think we do lack depth at the forward/center spot but hopefully Thomas and Powell will benefit having Davis get them easy looks. On paper this team looks legit if healthy. Davis, Brand and Kaman have to stay healthy for the most part to make the playoffs.

L&H_05 · Post #5 » by **L&H_05** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:17 am

No bench, shooters, and a lack of overall team defense...

I say: Negative...

blzrfan · Post #6 » by **blzrfan** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:17 am

The team has two components that should immediately vault it toward contention status. Defense and rebounding. The biggest factor is health since each player on the Clippers had an injury last year.

HKapM82 · Post #7 » by **HKapM82** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:19 am

Yeah after i posted that i took another look at the team and saw Knight and that Smush is gone, luckily Knight is better than Smush anyway so hes a better backup. The depth is a big problem though, especially with Baron taking up so much cap space. Kaman and Brand getting injured seem like flukes, Brand is a worker and has barely been hurt before las tyear, so i think he will be fine, Kaman im not as sure about, but if he can stay healthy, he will be a huge help for the team. All they need now is to make sure Brand signs, sign Thorton to an extension in the next couple years and add some depth, this team could actually be a contender (for the playoffs, lets not get ridiculous).

Cavsfan4lyfe · Post #8 » by **Cavsfan4lyfe** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:20 am

They look great on paper. I look forward to watching them. They also look well-built for the future with Gordon, Powell, Thornton, and Kaman.

farzi · Post #9 » by **farzi** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:20 am

I say yes, we do need a third thread on this.

GuyverX · Post #10 » by **GuyverX** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:21 am

L&H_05 wrote:No bench, shooters, and a lack of overall team defense...

I say: Negative...

Outside of Tim Thomas, the guys on this team are good defenders. BD is not a terrible defender when healthy either. Our depth is a problem but we have some good shooters. Mobley, Thornton, Thomas and Gordon can all shoot the 3. Davis is streaky but he makes his share too.

Ballings7 · Post #11 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:31 am

They need to improve their wing-defense... Thornton is not proven and young, Mobley is a solid defender, but shouldn't and can't be the main wing-defender... they need to go get Q-Ross back or another defensive wing.

3PT shooting is there...

Not sure Powell will be the guy behind Brand, but if so, that's fine.

Not sure if Smush will be the back-up PG, maybe.

I think they'll turn out to be legit, health will probably be the only thing that can hold them back.

Yangsing · Post #12 » by **Yangsing** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:33 am

Decent. Playoffs perhaps, nothing more.

Pai Gow · Post #13 » by **Pai Gow** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:34 am

That bench is absolutely horrible and Davis is a straight chucker, they would do much better with a pass-first PG instead of a shoot-first, shoot-second, chuck-third PG.

In the West, they could challenge Denver, Portland and the Kings for a playoff spot.

GuyverX · Post #14 » by **GuyverX** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:37 am

Ballings7 wrote:They need to improve their wing-defense... Thornton is not proven and young, Mobley is a solid defender, but shouldn't and can't be the main wing-defender... they need to go get Q-Ross back or another defensive wing.

3PT shooting is there...

Not sure Powell will be the guy behind Brand, but if so, that's fine.

Not sure if Smush will be the back-up PG, maybe.

I think they'll turn out to be legit, health will probably be the only thing that can hold them back.

I think Ross will be back. I can't imagine too many teams breaking the bank to sign him. Plus, Dunleavy loves Ross (as evident by Ross over Maggette in the starting lineup). If there's a chance though, I'd like somebody who can defend and shoot the 3 but Ross is okay.

Brevin Knight will back up Baron. I'm not very high on Smush at all.

AKsWill wrote:That bench is absolutely horrible and Davis is a straight chucker, they would do much better with a pass-first PG instead of a shoot-first, shoot-second, chuck-third PG.

Like who? Chris Paul? Deron Williams? I don't think they're going anywhere anytime soon. And this is the Clippers. Baron Davis coming here is the best FA we've had in decades. Prior to him, it was Cuttino Mobley believe it or not. Try to put that in perspective.

Ballings7 · Post #15 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:46 am

GuyverX wrote:I think Ross will be back. I can't imagine too many teams breaking the bank to sign him. Plus, Dunleavy loves Ross (as evident by Ross over Maggette in the starting lineup). If there's a chance though, I'd like somebody who can defend and shoot the 3 but Ross is okay.

Brevin Knight will back up Baron. I'm not very high on Smush at all.

Agreed.

Knight, while small, still > Smush.

Kakish · Post #16 » by **Kakish** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 1:59 am

Lakers-Clippers 2008-2009 Western Conference Finals.

Parasight · Post #17 » by **Parasight** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 2:00 am

People think this team looks good? I'm sorry but it's hardly a playoff team in the West. Maybe 8th seed at best.

GuyverX · Post #18 » by **GuyverX** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 2:05 am

Parasight wrote:People think this team looks good? I'm sorry but it's hardly a playoff team in the West. Maybe 8th seed at best.

At best?

It might not work out for whatever reason but the core of Brand/Davis/Kaman is potentially one of the best trios in the league.

i<3basketball · Post #19 » by **i<3basketball** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 2:05 am

Parasight wrote:People think this team looks good? I'm sorry but it's hardly a playoff team in the West. Maybe 8th seed at best.

I second this.

Hangtime84 · Post #20 » by **Hangtime84** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 2:09 am

GuyverX wrote:
Parasight wrote:People think this team looks good? I'm sorry but it's hardly a playoff team in the West. Maybe 8th seed at best.

At best?

It might not work out for whatever reason but the core of Brand/Davis/Kaman is potentially one of the best trios in the league.

+1