OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT posted by Andy Natalie

1 Clippers                      Blake Griffin PF
2. Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet C
3. Thunder James Harden SG
4. Kings Tyreke Evans SG
5. Timberwolves Ricky Rubio PG
6. Timberwolves Jonny Flynn PG
7. Warriors Stephen Curry PG
8. Knicks Jordan Hill PF
9. Raptors DeMar DeRozan SG
10. Bucks Brandon Jennings PG
11. Nets Terrence Williams SG
12. Bobcats Gerald Henderson SG
13. Pacers Tyler Hansbrough PF
14. Suns Earl Clark SF
15. Pistons Austin Daye SF
16. Bulls James Johnson PF
17. 76ers Jrue Holiday PG
18. Timberwolves Ty Lawson PG
19. Hawks Jeff Teague PG
20. Jazz Eric Maynor PG
21. Hornets Darren Collison PG
22. Trail Blazers Victor Claver SF
23. Kings Omri Casspi SF
24. Mavericks B.J. Mullens C
25. Thunder Rodrigue Beaubois PG
26. Bulls Taj Gibson PF
27. Grizzlies DeMarre Carroll PF
28. Timberwolves Wayne Ellington SG
29. Lakers Toney Douglas SG
30. Cavaliers Christian Eyenga

SF

     The Clippers picked their "10,000th" lottery pick in NBA Draft history. And it is yet another shame that a guy like Blake Griffin will waste his talent for a few floundering years for the most disorganized sports franchise on Earth. The Clippers are a joke. And I was a huge fan of Elgin Baylor but his time in Clipper-dom has been the usual failure of a franchise to be even relevent. Other than the teams history dating to a time in Buffalo, the Larry Brown years of 1992 and 1993 are the only Clippers teams that did anything. Actually they had a winning season in 2005 and 2006 at 47 - 35. Anyhow the list of good players that have been selected there and then left are mounting. So I expect Griffin to display his talents and then be courted by a team that knows what it is doing. Other than that the 2009 Draft was a bit of a sham. How is that? Well what does it say that the LA Lakers ook some cash for their 1st round pick?  The Orlando Magic decided to deal for aging Vince Carter instead of taking a player from this litter. The Cavaliers felt the acquisition of Shaq held more value than any of these players. Even the Golden State Warriors traded their new pick Stephen Curry to Phoenix for Amare Stoudamire. Honestly the level of USA basketball talent has diminished. Many argue that NBA players are better than ever. I believe those people depend on earning money from the NBA so therefore they continue to lie about the quality. Hey I am guilty of still loving the NBA but the new generation of players are not that fundamentally sound. Oh, they are 10 times the athletes of Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, Julius Erving or Jerry West but they can't pass, dribble, or shoot like those NBA players did and like NBA players should. I think this is borne out by the decline of the USA's ability to dominate a World that has gotten better. (And yes there are Continue reading "OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT"

The 5 Best Second Overall Selections in the NBA Draft Since 1984 posted by Colin Linneweber

The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to pick former Oklahoma Sooners star Blake Griffin Thursday with the first overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

However, there is not a consensus projection for the No. 2 pick and basketball analysts remain largely uncertain who the Memphis Grizzlies will choose tomorrow in Gotham.

In recognition of the NBA Draft, I have decided to rank the five most accomplished players selected second overall in the past quarter century.


1)  Jason Kidd 

Kidd, 36, attended the University of California and helped resurrect the Golden Bears dormant basketball program with his stellar play at the point guard position. 

After being honored as a First Team All-American as a sophomore, Kidd declared for the NBA Draft and was selected second overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 1994. 

Unfortunately, the Bay Area native’s initial stint with the Mavericks didn’t materialize as most anticipated it would. 

According to legend, singer Toni Braxton went to the Mavs team hotel to meet Kidd for a date after a game. 

 However, instead of rendezvousing with Kidd, Braxton instead left with his Dallas teammate Jimmy Jackson and the two purportedly fornicated until the wee hours. 

Subsequently, Kidd loathed Jackson and he demanded an escape from “Big D.” 

Kidd, a 9-time All-Star and 6-time All-NBA nomination, was traded to the Phoenix Suns at the conclusion of the 1996 season and his career began to truly ascend in the desert. 

Continue reading "The 5 Best Second Overall Selections ..."

Clippers and stats of the first pick. posted by john howard

With the first pick of the NBA draft, the Clippers are in great shape. I looked at the last 19 years and broken it down as follows: Super stars--11 Quality starter--2 Starters--3 Bench --3 So, historically, the Clippers will get a starter out of the pick with a better than 50% chance that he will become a superstar. That's pretty good odds. So, don't trade the pick LA.Continue reading "Clippers and stats of the first pick."

Clippers offseason posted by john howard

The Clippers had a horrible year.  They were suppose to be more than just a playoff contender.  Fred Jones is a free agent and Ricky Davis has a players option.  I doubt he will leave.  The Clippers have the first overall pick and will take Blake Griffin.  A trade could happen and if it does it's likely to involve either Camby, Randolph, or Kaman who all have close to or over 10million on their contracts.

pg--Baron Davis--as good as they get when he is healthy.

SG--Erick Gordon--showed us he can score and will only get better.

SF--Al Thornton--made improvements and was a pleasant surprise

PF--Zach Randolph--great one night and gone the next.

C--Chris Kaman--was injured most of year. A solid player.

Marcus Camby can play inside and they get a lot more atheltic.

These six should make a playoff team.  If Gordon continues to improve and Randolph can be consistent and Camby can stay healthy, then this team should be in playoffs with a chance to upset.  But what could make this team better.

Blake Griffin.  He learns quickly and is so ahteltic.  He could start on bench and by season's end be playing like a starter.  With Griffin and Camby, there are many different line ups that could cause match up problems.  With Ricky Davis also comming off the bench, they have some scroing potential in the second group. 

Another interesting development is DeAngelo Jordan.  If he developes quick enough, one of those 10million dollar players could get dealt.

Continue reading "Clippers offseason"

Thunder to get Blake Griffin? posted by john howard

Every Oklahoman wants to see Blake Griffin in an Oklahoma Thunder uniform.  The only way this is to happen is to trade with the Clippers.  The best chance the Thunder has is to trade both of this year's first round picks and possibly a future pick.  Or, the Clippers might take both first rounders and dump one of the big salaries onto OKC.  Like Camby or Randolph.Continue reading "Thunder to get Blake Griffin?"

High Hopes for Clippers 09/10 season!! (Draft Talk!!) posted by Jeremy Parks

The Clippers season last year, mediocre at best, wasn't a complete waste. With the addition of big men Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph, I think the Clippers have a great chance of clinching a playoff birth next season. They also acquired Eric Gordon via draft and as everyone probably already knows, Baron Davis as a Free agent.  Personally i don't think they did good last season because they were plagued with injuries. Now let's talk about next season! I'm pretty hopeful about the 09/10 season mainly because most likely the Clippers will get a top 3 draft pick. It would be great if they could get a power-house player like Blake Griffin, but they already have so many big men it would kind of be a wasted pick. The Clippers need someone who's fast and can handle the ball. I think Ricky Rubio fits their needs perfectly. Can't wait for may 19th!!!!(Draft Day!)

Note: Even though Derrick Rose deserved his ROY honors and OJ Mayo deserved Runner uo, I still wonder why Brook Lopez got more votes on ESPN than Eric Gordon???? 

Continue reading "High Hopes for Clippers 09/10 season!! ..."

Crawford Denies Wanting Out posted by kellex

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/02/crawford-denies-wanting-out.htm

Just like his coach, Jamal Crawford has denied yet another New York Knick rumor. Crawford was quoted as saying he "wouldn't mind being traded" and that the situation in New York is not ideal.

"I'm happy where I'm at; I mean, you guys have known me for four years now," Crawford said before Monday night's game against the Clippers.

"I've never said anything like that. I've always remained positive ... that's just me."

Crawford is the longest tenured current NBA player to not reach the playoffs and said he doesn't recall saying that he wanted out of New York. At this point, what can you believe from this franchise?

Isiah Thomas denies a rumor about a different player almost daily and the rumors of locker room turmoil seem to never end. The franchise is a joke, and the one bright spot on the team in Crawford seems to be on his way out.

Denial here.
Continue reading "Crawford Denies Wanting Out"

On the other end of the Super Bowl hype spectrum its knicks v. clippers tonight! posted by jason

thats right sports fan, the hangover of the super bowl buzz begins tonight as the hometown knickerbockers take on the west coast knicks a/k/a the LA Clippers. the garden will probabaly have about 10,000 ( capacity 19763 ) on hand tonight to witness what may be one of the most meaningless games of a long, long NBA season. The clippers feature no Elton Brand ( achilles, ouch, been there ruptured that, it is bad, really bad ) and the knicks continue to spit the bit at crunchtime, as they competed in all 5 road games of the west coast swing but were ultimately defeated late in every game.  curent clipper tim thomas, one of the most overhyped players in scholastic history who has made gazillions in the Association, yet still has disappointed every franchise in his career, except maybe phoenix. Thomas produced with steve nash getting him the pill but now with sammy cassel and cuttino mobley dishing a grand total of 7 assists a night between them, those salad days are over, and once again thomas labors in anonymity at a super hyper inflated paycheck! God Bless America!Continue reading "On the other end of the Super Bowl ..."

Play It Again Sam posted by Jordan Ikeda

Thanks Sammy my boy, you've put the Lakers in sole possession of first place in not only the Pacific division, but in the entire Western conference. And for those of you who don't know who I'm talking about, first of all, shame on you, and second, that would be Sam Cassell of the Los Angeles Clippers who dropped a cool 32 points, 6 boards and 7 assists on the Phoenix Suns last night. And thanks to my Aunt and Uncle, I was able to have excellent seats at the game. 

Of course, the news of the Lakers ascension to the top would have been scary awesome if not for the reality check of Bynum's 8-week-long knee injury. But thanks anyway Sam. You've been one of my favorite players over the years, and I had the pleasure of getting to watch you put on a show, no, a clinic last night. Yes, yes, I know this is a Lakers blog, and I probably should be talking about how Kobe had to take 44 shots two nights ago to score 48 points, and how Nick Collison tore through the Lakers bigs like they were tissue paper, and how one of the worst teams in the L pushed the now first place in the West Lakers into overtime and probably should have won save the rookie (and I mean ROOKIE) mistake made by Durant who took a long two pointer with the score tied and 8 seconds left on the clock.

But instead of worry about my team, I'm going to focus on the brilliance of Sam Cassell. One of these days I'm going to get around to finishing my blog about how Sammy deserves to be in the Hall. Perhaps even deserves to be mentioned with the top point guards of all time, but that is for my other blog and another time.

Continue reading "Play It Again Sam"

Kaman Saw and Conquered posted by Macklen Jackson

On April 28, 1982 the world changed forever: Christopher Zane Kaman was born. At 7 feet, 265 pounds, he was the most dominant baby since Shaquille O’Neal to ever to post up an obstetrician. Twenty-one years later, this promising phenom was given his shot when he was drafted sixth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2003. The rest is history.

Kaman was never a bust; let’s get that straight. But in the Western Conference of the NBA, where centers make their living, he had yet to reach that upper echelon of the big men elite. Until this season.

Kaman is playing this year like a man possessed. He’s averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds per game, both career highs. He’s also averaging over 2 assists per game for the first time ever. With the exception of last year’s dip in productivity, Kaman has been steadily building his averages across the board since year one. And last year’s regression should not be a troublesome omen of future lapses, as the entire team took two steps back following their play-off run in the ’05-06 season. Even the great Elton Brand struggled last year and the team’s frustration fueled sub-par play from most starters. (The exception to this was the emergence of Shaun Livingston who had given Clippers’ fans reason to believe that he was a franchise point guard until he blew out his knee coming down after a fast break lay-up.)

The learning curve is not linear. And for every setback in Kaman’s game from last year, he has exponentially improved this year. Take low post defense, for example, where he is averaging almost 3 blocks per game. And on the other end of the court, he’s finishing strong when he goes to the hoop, so that drawing fouls becomes an and-one situation. He’s only a 75% free throw shooter this year; while that’s a decent percentage for a center, he needs to convert as many of those field goals as possible to compensate for his marginally reliable performance at the line. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Continue reading "Kaman Saw and Conquered"

Clips take Griffin, Thabeet goes second (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Clips get first official look at Griffin (AP)

Blake Griffin showed off the high-flying dunks that helped him become college player of the year in a very public pre-draft workout Saturday for the Los Angeles Clippers. But that wasn't what most impressed coach Mike Dunleavy. Griffin's handling three basketballs as part of a dribbling drill, his final trick before finishing the hour-long session, was what got the attention of his possible... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports