Lucky Number 15 (roster spot)

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:47 am

And the last Clippers' roster spot goes to ... Kareem Rush.

Rush, who came to camp as a free agent, said on Tuesday before the exhibition against Maccabi Tel Aviv that Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy told him he would be sticking around.

The Clippers have been deciding whether to carry 14 or 15 players on the roster.

"I've put myself in position to make this team," Rush said. "I think I've done a great job of establishing myself and showing what I'm capable of doing. It's up to the front office.

"Coach [Dunleavy] told me I was going to start the season with the team. I'm happy with what I've done this preseason and hope I can continue to play well and be a guy who can contribute."

The Clippers like the depth Rush gives them on the perimeter and his ability to hit the open shot.

"It's just what I do. I've been a shooter all my career," he said. "My job is to come down here and knock down open shots. It's my job to take 'em and make 'em. I've been shooting the ball pretty well. All due to the hard work I've been putting in this summer."

Naturally, Rush, the former Laker, was asked for his opinion on Blake Griffin's mammoth dunk on Sunday against the Lakers in the fourth quarter. .

"It was amazing," Rush said. "He's a YouTube fanatic. I told him I need 10% of all royalties from the posters he's gonna sell. Blake's a great talent. He's going to be a great player in this league."

Did he get the 10% in writing?

"I think it's just a gentleman's handshake deal, for 10%," Rush said, laughing.

Lisa Dillman, The Fabulous Forum

Post #2 » by **loflin3hree5ive** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:57 am

Good news IMO. Dunleavy leaving the roster at 14 hasn't done any good for him in the past so I thought there was a chance Rush would make the team. It seems that Dunleavy is working hard to get Ricky Davis' confidence up so I wouldn't expect Rush to leap frog anyone on the depth chart, but he's a solid 15th man.

Post #3 » by **mkwest** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:11 am

He gives us a 4th legitimate outside shooter, who could be useful if we need to make up some ground on the offensive end. We're not likely going to be making any trades any time soon, and 10 days don't start until sometime after the 1st of the year. So there's not much harm in bringing in another player who can add something positive to the team.

mj_shoefanatic · Post #4 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:57 am

Rush deserves that spot no doubt and hopefully this move limits Bricky's PT.

illastrate · Post #5 » by **illastrate** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:20 pm

mj_shoefanatic wrote:Rush deserves that spot no doubt and hopefully this move limits Bricky's PT.

Ditto.

This is good news. Welcome, K. Rush!

Post #6 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:35 am

Rush is the only free agent that was brought into training camp that had a shot to make the team. I thought Dunleavy would keep doing that 14 man roster thing, but I'm glad to have Rush as our 15th player.

playaloc916 · Post #7 » by **playaloc916** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:20 am

Good to hear that he got the spot. I think he's a serviceable player, and is definitely a good option if the only other option is Pretty Bricky. Man, if only he could be half the player he was in the past few years, he would be pretty big for us. Instead, we're looking for anybody to take his minutes. What a shame. Reminds me of Steve Francis' sudden decline.

clippermitch · Post #8 » by **clippermitch** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:24 am

We need to waive Ricky or Skinner and sign a 3rd PG. Collins can't play PG and neither can eg. Skinner will never see the floor with Kaman, camby, Blake, DJ, and Craig.

donemilio21 · Post #9 » by **donemilio21** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:42 pm

I don't think ricky or collins would get more minutes than Rush. Rush is a good choice and I'm glad he's staying.
I think its time to give up on Ricky...he's not gonna be ricky davis he was 3-4 years ago.
We should waive Collins and Ricky and sign a SG and keep 15 open.

Post #10 » by **loflin3hree5ive** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:06 pm

Collins is capable of bringing the ball up the floor and Ricky can act as a point forward. Those two on the floor together can combine to be a pretty good PG if need be. Clips already ate Madsen's contract, I doubt they will pay Ricky to stay home too.

mike3 · Post #11 » by **mike3** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:22 pm

Thats great news, i was hoping hed get signed

illastrate · Post #12 » by **illastrate** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:28 pm

loflin3hree5ive wrote:Collins is capable of bringing the ball up the floor and Ricky can act as a point forward. Those two on the floor together can combine to be a pretty good PG if need be. Clips already ate Madsen's contract, I doubt they will pay Ricky to stay home too.

They actually bought out Madsen and saved over 800k in the process. That said, I don't think they'll waive Bricky either. I'd love to trade him for a 2nd round pick, though, even if it's the bottom of the barrel.

clippermitch · Post #13 » by **clippermitch** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:24 am

I hope Ricky and Collins are never on the court together or we are in big trouble!