Los Angeles Clippers VS New Orleans Hornets
Where: STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA
When: Friday, October 22nd, 2009 @ 7:30PM (PST)
TV: FSN West
Radio: KFWB News Talk 980
Clippers Starting 5
Telfair - Butler - Thornton - Griffin - Jordan
Reserves
Davis - Gordon - Davis - Smith - Kaman
Hornets Starting 5
Brown - Peterson - Wright - West - Armstrong
Reserves
Collison - Thornton - Posey - Songaila - Marks
Injury Report:
Los Angeles Clippers - Al Thornton (right arm stinger) is probable.
Marcus Camby (ankle sprain) is doubtful.
New Orleans Hornets - Chris Paul (upper respiratory conditions) and Julian Wright (knee) are game time decisions.
David West (leg), Ike Diogu (knee) are questionable.
Emeka Okafor (sprained toe) is out.
Based on your best guess as to the Clips projected finish this year, their corresponding draft pick in 2010 and the projected status of the Minny pick, should the Clips spend their cap space in 2010 or hold onto it until 2011? And which FAs would you target and be willing to pay for in the year you choose, even if that means you can't get any FAs in the other year?
Jim, Santa Monica.
EP: I appreciate your excitement Jim, but I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. The Clippers may have some cap room this summer but with league projections that the number may drop, team may not have quite as much flexibility as originally anticipated.
Roster moves can impact things but before we start planning on how to put the 2010/11 team together, let’s look at this current squad.
What kind of contribution are they going to get from Sebastian Telfair, Rasual Butler, Craig Smith, Ricky Davis, Steve Novak, Brian Skinner, Mardy Collins and Camby this year? Every one of them has the potential to be a free agent next summer. If they prove to be valuable parts of a strong Clippers run, the focus may be on retaining talent instead of looking outside the organization for help.
I expect to have a better feel for this Clippers team a month or two in. Who knows? This may be one of the best rosters they’ve had in years.
Eric Pincus, myClipper NATION
NBATV 2009-10 Clippers Preview
This is the final preseason game. Here are some preseason statistics: Clippers are the number 7 team in ppg with 104.85. We have the highest FG% (.512) out of all teams with quite a big margin (next highest is Utah at .495). We have a whopping 27 assists per game average to lead the all teams, with 2nd place belonging to the Lakers with 23.8. We have been struggling in rebounding and are ranked at 17th. We are number 6 in blocks with 5.71 and middle of the pack in steals. These stats don't mean everything, since it is preseason and many starters are playing reduced minutes if at all. The positive note is that we are passing the ball and are taking higher percentage shots. Hopefully those 2 things will be a continuing trend once the real season begins.
We have had a very successful preseason so far and the main objective of this game is to finish with no further injuries. Then we will have a few days before the regular season tips off on Tuesday night against that other LA team.
Also, there are plenty of available games for anybody that wants to sign up. Variety and uniqueness is usually a good thing and keeps them interesting, so everyone should feel free to participate.
I got past my little fish phase. 
It's all about pandas now!
