Will these core players be better than the 05-06 Clippers?

[PG3]

The 2005-2006 Clippers finished the season 47-35, the franchise's best record since moving to LA. My question is will surpass that mark and be better? We have a new franchise forward in Blake Griffin (compare with brand), a veteran all star point guard in Baron (compare with Sam Cassell) and whole lot of talent.

Discuss

2005-2006 Clippers 2009-2010 Clippers
PG. Sam Cassell PG. Baron Davis
SG. Cuttino Mobley SG. Eric Gordon
SF. Corey Maggette SF. Al Thornton
PF. Elton Brand PF. Blake Griffin
C. Chris Kaman C. Chris Kaman

[jflipclip]

It's hard to gauge considering that we don't know Dunleavy's offensive scheme, but defensively that goes to 2005-06. Brand and Kaman were nightmares inside for the opposing team and Mobley also played solid D despite what would look like mismatches (Dirk, Odom, etc.). Cassell, for the most part, was clutch and knew how to play the pick and roll to perfection. Also knew how to postup. Maggette got to the line and that was all we really needed from him.

I think this upcoming team has a lot of potential, but I wouldn't put them ahead of those Clips just yet. Love the young talent and G-Force (Griffin and Gordon). Hopefully, they will. Baron might be the deciding factor.

[PlinkingPanda]

I will have to say no because Sammy's leadership and role in our playoff run was the biggest factor in our success. I don't see Baron having that same influence on the team as he did.

[madmaxmedia]

If you're talking about next year, then perhaps not- although I won't hold it out of the question that we magically 'click' like we did in 05-06. BD may very well rebound this year, EJ will hopefully get better, and who knows how well Blake will do. The potential is definitely there for a good season.

But does the current squad have better potential than the 2005 team? Hell yeah! 05-06 was Cassell's last hurrah, and actually Elton Brand's as well. EB may rebound from injury problems, but he will never have a career year like he did on 2005.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I don't think this core will be better than the 05-06 core next season, but they do have a chance some time in the future. The 05-06 team had the leadership of Cassell and focus on defense. We need better chemistry and commitment to playing D.

[chiefmad]

it also seems like the western conference was better as a whole back in 05-06. there were way more better teams as well, now its only really the Lakers that are a dominant group. mostly all the other upper escelian teams arent really that good.

so what im trying to say is, we got a chance for sure to make playoffs this year, even tho next year for sure it seams for certain....

[Tucker74]

In 2005-06 Sam took the team by the huevos and made it his from day one when Sam went off for 35 against the Sonics, and that made it a whole lot easier for his teammates. Will B-diddy? Don't know. Also, we had relatively good health. 5 of our top 6 played in at least 77 games. If we have that good fortune alone, a substantial improvement is possible but a 28 game improvement is asking a lot.

[ClipperEric]

Not yet. But in a few years??? I think so. Blake Griffin is the superstar we've never had and Gordon is awesome!

Baron vs. Sam? I'll take the slow old man anyday of the week.

[bbsee1]

This is an interesting topic and one I've thought about a lot recently. I look at the 05-06 roster and actually Maggette was injured for most of that year and even when he was healthy he came off the bench. So actually the starting five was...
PG - Cassell
SG - Mobley
SF - Ross
PF - Brand
C - Kaman
I think that Radmonovic started at SF some games as well. But anyways what made this team successful was the defense especially from the interior due to the likes of Brand and Kaman providing a presence. Then we had a very experienced backcourt with Mobley and Cassel. Mobley was a solid defender and Cassell, while not a good defender and not particularly athletic, was a very crafty player with vocal leadership. Then we had Ross who had no offensive game whatsoever but was long and played hard D against swingmen. When it came to playoff time Maggette was healthy and provided a spark off the bench.
The Clippers of today might look better on paper based on potential, however, the defense needs to be addressed. We need to wait and see how good Griffin's defense is in he NBA. Brand and Kaman's shot blocking ability was a key to our success. And speaking of Kaman, we need the old Kaman back. There have been moments in his career where he is a beast (look back at his 07-08 stats) and moments where you wonder why he is even in the NBA (look at the last game of last season against the Thunder). But he actually wasnt bad in the beginning of last season. It was after he came back from his injury where he looked terrible. Maybe DJ can provide a presence inside instead. Thornton's defense and rebounding needs to improve significantly. In the backcourt, EJ's a good defender while BD is not but at least gets steals. So while the players now might be younger, more athletic and better offensively, the defense has a lot of question marks. I think it depends on Griffin's defense and whether Kaman can come back to 05-06 or 07-08 form or whether DJ can develop more into a post-defender.