Are the Clippers Contenders?

ElGrandeA · Post #1 » by **ElGrandeA** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:36 am

I am asking this as a Laker fan, but in my opinion you guys really could be a real contender in the West. I am not saying you are favorite, but I can say that you definitely better than Portland, Utah (after they get rid of Boozer), Phoenix, and maybe Denver.

Your lineup looks pretty very solid. You have Baron to take the big shots at the end of the game. You have 3 Centers that are all above average. Blake looks like he could be very good this year. Gordon will likely continue to improve. My only concern is Dunleavy as a head coach.

1. Lakers
2. Spurs
3. Mavs
4. Clippers
5. Nuggets
6. Suns
7. Blazers
8. Jazz

Clip34life · Post #2 » by **Clip34life** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:37 am

No. Too much scoring not enough defense. SF not solid. Dunleavy is still the coach. As composed they would struggle to make the 8th seed. They need a Battier/Prince at SF and some better depth at the PG and to a lesser extent SG positions.

Forte IV · Post #3 » by **Forte IV** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:44 am

If we can stay healthy and get some good defensive wing players then I say we are good enough for 5th-8th

jflipclip · Post #4 » by **jflipclip** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:45 pm

Clip34life wrote:No. Too much scoring not enough defense. SF not solid. Dunleavy is still the coach. As composed they would struggle to make the 8th seed. They need a Battier/Prince at SF and some better depth at the PG and to a lesser extent SG positions.

Pretty much nailed it.

Ever since Brand left, defense has been lost.

badonkadonkdonk · Post #5 » by **badonkadonkdonk** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:45 pm

that question pops up every offseason. on paper yes. but well... dunleavy finds a way.

theFRANCHISE · Post #6 » by **theFRANCHISE** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:25 pm

I don't phoenix is a top 6 team, clippers will be at least 2nd in the pacific...can we sneak into the playoffs? maybe

Post #7 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:32 pm

I say we will be 7th or 8th in the West if things go our way.

scratch21 · Post #8 » by **scratch21** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:08 pm

If Baron is the 06-07 Baron we can make the playoffs its all up too him

PlinkingPanda · Post #9 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:30 pm

scratch21 wrote:If Baron is the 06-07 Baron we can make the playoffs its all up too him

Definitely agree. It's all on Baron's shoulders.

remixer2017 · Post #10 » by **remixer2017** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:08 pm

Next season I believe we will be contenders to be 6th, 7th, or 8th seed in the West. Maybe next year we will be serious contenders but for now we are a borderline playoff team. But I love our young nucleus and I believe we will be good very soon. All we need is some more experience.
A main part of our team's success also will be if Al Thornton can improve his defense (which he is very capable of doing) and if he can improve his shot selection. He has all the talent, all we need to do is wait and see.

JJ LoDuca · Post #11 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:27 pm

badonkadonkdonk wrote:that question pops up every offseason. on paper yes. but well... dunleavy finds a way.

My thoughts exactly.

Clip34life · Post #12 » by **Clip34life** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:25 pm

theFRANCHISE wrote:I don't phoenix is a top 6 team, clippers will be at most 2nd in the pacific...can we sneak into the playoffs? maybe

Fixed.

TheNewEra · Post #13 » by **TheNewEra** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:54 pm

nee a new coach first

mj_shoefanatic · Post #14 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:59 pm

If we manage to ink A.I. and Sessions plus add another serviceable SF then I'd say we should be part of the contender convo.

ClipperDomination · Post #15 » by **ClipperDomination** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:37 am

JJ LoDuca wrote:
badonkadonkdonk wrote:that question pops up every offseason. on paper yes. but well... dunleavy finds a way.

My thoughts exactly.

+1

Post #16 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:44 am

mj_shoefanatic wrote:If we manage to ink A.I. and Sessions plus add another serviceable SF then I'd say we should be part of the contender convo.

I'm not sure that we're gonna be able to do all that.

ejftw · Post #17 » by **ejftw** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:16 am

Let's wait until the offseason ends. We still need a backup SF and backup SG.

Forte IV · Post #18 » by **Forte IV** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:56 am

mj_shoefanatic wrote:If we manage to ink A.I. and Sessions plus add another serviceable SF then I'd say we should be part of the contender convo.

There is no way we get both

Post #19 » by **mkwest** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:09 am

lol contender for what?

Right now there are a lot of variables that come into play. On paper, on a video game or a fantasy team, we look really good. Talent-wise, we're good. The question is how does it all translate onto the court. Dunleavy has said that we're going to switch up the offense, but he has said that the past 2 seasons as well. The roster may or may not be complete. I do think that some teams in the west may experience a drop-off, so anything is possible. Ultimately, health & Chemistry and will determine how we fair.

illastrate · Post #20 » by **illastrate** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:41 am

Man, if we get close to .500, I'll be very satisfied. We need to take the Trail Blazers' route - build on our young talent this season, then hit the FA market and get some good pieces and continue to improve. By '10-'11, we should be a pretty good team, still not enough to be a contender, but good. Dumbleavy's contract will then expire, we hire a new refreshing coach and get even better. Summer of 2011 is what I'm really looking forward to.