DJ speaks on offseason improvements

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:19 pm

DeAndre Jordan Happy with Clippers’ Offseason

“We’ve been making some moves, adding some pieces that are definitely going to help us make it to that next level,” said center DeAndre Jordan. “It’s definitely been a good offseason for us.’

“It’s great man just for Chauncey,” said Jordan. “He bring so much to our team in leadership, playoff experience and also coaching. Us bringing him back is really important for our team.”

“He was on the bench giving everyone pointers, talking to [Coach Vinny Del Negro], all the coaches, giving us all advice, talking to [Chris Paul],” said Jordan. “Just kind of coaching us throughout the game, it helped us win that Memphis series.”

“We’ll definitely be able to throw different looks at teams,” said Jordan. “Not just being able to run the floor but also being able to have a halfcourt offense and be able to get a bucket down in the fourth quarter time, when we need a bucket in the halfcourt, when we can’t get a lob or fastbreak layup. Bringing those guys in is definitely going to help our team a lot.”

“[I'm] working on my offensive game a lot. I’ve gotten with [Coach Marc] Iavaroni and a number of other coaches and ex-players, trying to improve my game as much as possible to help us out this upcoming season,” said Jordan. “Post moves, free throws obviously, putting in a lot of time on that. I’m ready for the start of season.”

Eric Pincus, HoopsWorld

kombayn · Post #2 » by **kombayn** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:26 am

He can't even name specific post moves, he should've taken time to get coached by "The Dream" like Amar'e is doing. I want to trade DJ for the first solid deal offered to us, I would love to look at someone like Kendrick Perkins or clear space next season to make a run at Andrew Bynum.

Post #3 » by **mkwest** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:08 am

kombayn wrote:He can't even name specific post moves, he should've taken time to get coached by "The Dream" like Amar'e is doing. I want to trade DJ for the first solid deal offered to us, I would love to look at someone like Kendrick Perkins or clear space next season to make a run at Andrew Bynum.

Earlier in the summer, he said he wanted to add a move, a counter and a 15 footer. I have no idea why he's not working out with Hakeem. Pincus said he'll ask DJ about it the next time he talks to him. DJ mentioned working out with Olajuwon last summer, but it didn't happen. There's no lockout this year and he's already been paid, so the $50K that Olajuwon charges isn't as much of an issue to him as it would have been then.

If DJ can increase his value, then we should definitely look at making a move if it benefits the team. We're not going to clear enough space to go after Bynum who will be getting a max deal from either the 76ers or someone else. With Paul and Blake already on max deals, it would be extremely difficult to add a 3rd max player and still have a decent supporting cast. I think Perkins may very well be amnestied a year from now. Harden and Ibaka will both be restricted free-agents next summer. It doesn't seem all that likely that they'll keep them both as things currently stand, but it is much more of a probable if they can get out of the $8.5M they'll have to pay Perkins. Somebody would probably claim Perkins though.

Post #4 » by **og15** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:05 am

I don't know if I would even like Perkins, really doesn't impress me. I can't conclude that the last three seasons of Perkins has been a better player than DJ. Back in 09-10, yea, but the recent version with all his injuries, meh.

I really hope DJ's development pays off and the new defensive coach is solid. If he doesn't improve enough, attempt to go after Varejao later if he can prove to be healthy this season.

This one isn't truly realistic because DJ will still be on contract, but Dalembert make $6.7M and expires. If he's still struggling to get another big contract, he could be an MLE guy and he gives you DJ level production with good FT shooting and mid-range ability for a fraction of the cost. Lobs obviously aren't as cool, but for the Clippers a big in that price range is ideal. Only thing would be having to trade DJ in that scenario.

There aren't really any better options outside of those guys. Okafor is an overall better player, but struggles massively against size and gets beat up by Howard. Bogut expires soon, but if he plays well he is a max player.

Best case scenario is DJ really getting it on defense, hopefully that is the case.

I think future wise, SF is going to be the key position for the team after moving on from Butler. That is a versatile defensive type SF. The other option is a 20+ PPG SF, but that doesn't seem reasonable financially, so the guy that can defend multiple positions and hit some shots,

Quake Griffin · Post #5 » by **Quake Griffin** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:51 am

^^^^^
was wondering if there was any way we could pull Luol from Chicago in hopes that they'll just go into full tank mode to get Rose another superstar in the draft.

he'd be my #1 choice.

Post #6 » by **mkwest** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:34 pm

Quake Griffin wrote:^^^^^
was wondering if there was any way we could pull Luol from Chicago in hopes that they'll just go into full tank mode to get Rose another superstar in the draft.

he'd be my #1 choice.

Many Bull fans would argue that Vinny didn't really utilize Deng in the best possible way. He has torn ligaments in his left wrist that he won't be having surgery on until the end of next season. He is saying that he feels fine right now, but how will he hold up over the course of a season? He's a nice player to have with his effort on the defensive end and what he can provide offensively, but there would be risk involved.

Post #7 » by **og15** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:43 am

If it was possible, it would be great, but sadly I can't think of any scenario where the Bulls make that move.

I guess a guy the Clippers could watch is Kevin Martin who expires after this coming season. Chauncey is only on a one year deal and obviously isn't the long term solution at SG for many reasons. Similarly, while Crawford is a nice guy to have, doesn't seem like he's viewed as the starter, but as a super 6th man. So with that in mind, a SG obviously is still needed in the future.

Of course with Martin, him being super injury prone is the concern, so I'm not really sold on that. After the team does their thing this season, he might be a guy to pick up in order to re-tool, but I can't imagine him coming at a reasonable enough price ($8-9M).

For this season though it is the DJ improvement. I'm not expecting him to jump from being decent to becoming Chandler, Howard or Bogut on defense, but if he's making strides towards that level, it would be great.

playaloc916 · Post #8 » by **playaloc916** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:08 am

It's a shame that DJ seemingly refuses to work with Hakeem. That would do him wonders, and is the logical choice. There must have been some problem, maybe someone said or acted in a certain way and the two decided not to work with each other, who knows.

If he doesn't show any improvement, especially in his offensive game, it's time to look at moving him.

Post #9 » by **og15** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:24 am

playaloc916 wrote:It's a shame that DJ seemingly refuses to work with Hakeem. That would do him wonders, and is the logical choice. There must have been some problem, maybe someone said or acted in a certain way and the two decided not to work with each other, who knows.

If he doesn't show any improvement, especially in his offensive game, it's time to look at moving him.

poor DJ. Funny thing is that this wouldn't be an issue if he wasn't making $10M/year

TheNewEra · Post #10 » by **TheNewEra** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 9:19 am

Hakeem is not the only player in the world to learn from I rather Jordan grab knowledge from a variety of places rather than use the same trick everyone else has he said he is working with ex players maybe some can give more insight. Even Dwight called out the training with Dream saying the Hakeem got to much credit for his improvements on offense when is was the Magic coaching staff that helped him improve.

madmaxmedia · Post #11 » by **madmaxmedia** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 11:47 pm

Yeah, the important thing is not that DJ work specifically with Hakeem, it's that he work hard with SOMEONE to improve. The needed improvements are pretty basic, so it's not like he needs a HOF'er in order to improve.

Post #12 » by **tsherkin** » Sat Aug 25, 2012 12:17 pm

Kind of building off of the comments in the Blake Griffin Post Game thread, DJ doesn't need to worry about what Dream could teach him right now. At all.

He needs exactly what he said, two moves and a mid-range jumper (including improvement at the line). That means he can work on a basic jump hook going middle and a baseline spin, then spend the rest of his time making himself a useful mid-range shooter and working on FTs. Then NEXT summer, he can go see Dream. The Clips aren't going to ask him to score a ton, not between Griffin, Odom, Butler, Crawford, Billups and Paul. If anything, he should watch tape of Tyson Chandler in New Orleans, Dallas and New York, building his offensive repertoire with off-ball movement and good catches around the rim. That's it.

Or, y'know, working on the skyhook.

TheNewEra · Post #13 » by **TheNewEra** » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:28 pm

^^^This

Post #14 » by **mkwest** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 4:18 am

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDyYAmd_6h4[/youtube]

madmaxmedia · Post #15 » by **madmaxmedia** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:36 pm

Best part was where he said he wanted to be more of a defensive anchor and wall than last year.

If he could really become that, be the anchor of our defense, our ceiling will definitely be much higher.

mj_shoefanatic · Post #16 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 1:17 am

@ DJ looking Denzel from that movie X (Malcolm X)

This all sounds good but I won't believe him until I see proof on the court. No gimmicks!